Geothermal plant fluid reinjection system

Patent · Tue Jan 31 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6837672

McCabe, B C; Featherstone, J L; Zajac, E

A system is claimed for extending the operational life of the reinjection system of a geothermal power plant energized by high temperature, high silica content geothermal brine from a source such as the Salton Sea geothermal field or the Brawley geothermal field. The stream of geothermal brine which flows through the plant is passed slowly through a zone of particulate material having a large cumulative surface area in contact with the brine to seed the precipitation of dissolved silica from the brine onto the particles so as to reduce the amount of dissolved silica available for precipitation in the reinjection system. The zone of particulate material may be established as a floating silica sludge blanket in a reactor clarifier which also has a reaction zone in which silica precipitation is initiated. The vessel such as a reactor clarifier in which the zone of particulate material is established is maintained devoid of atmospheric oxygen to minimize other chemical reactions in said zone that would be injurious to the reinjection system.

• Assignee: Magma Power Company
• Patent Number(s): US 4428200
• OSTI ID: 6837672
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150600* -- Geothermal Energy-- Environmental Aspects
150801 -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Design & Operation
BRINES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CONTROL
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
GRANULAR MATERIALS
INJECTION WELLS
MATERIALS
MINERALS
NONMETALS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
PRECIPITATION
PROCESS CONTROL
REINJECTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SERVICE LIFE
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TOTAL FLOW SYSTEMS
WELLS