Operation of a mineral-recovery unit on brine from the Salton Sea known geothermal resource area

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6665989· OSTI ID:6665989

Schultze, L E; Bauer, D J

The Bureau of Mines operated a mineral recovery unit to recover metal values from post-flash geothermal brines from the Salton Sea known geothermal resource area as part of its research into the use of plentiful resources. The brine was available for metals recovery after its heat content had been used to generate electricity. The brine source was treated with lime to precipitate the contained iron, manganese, lead, and zinc before injection of the heat-depleted brine into the underground reservoir. Data are presented on the effects of process variables, such as rate and method of lime addition and air oxidation versus air exclusion. Variations in precipitation of metal values, composition of precipitates, effectiveness of slurry thickeners, and methods of treating the precipitates to recover metal values are discussed.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Reno, NV (USA). Reno Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6665989
• Report Number(s): BM-RI-8680; ON: DE83900683
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150700* -- Geothermal Energy-- Products & By-Products
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BRINES
CALCIUM
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
Geothermal Legacy
IRON
LEAD
MANAGEMENT
MANGANESE
MATERIALS RECOVERY
METALS
MINERALS
MIXTURES
PH VALUE
PRECIPITATION
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
REINJECTION
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
ZINC