Sampling and characterization of suspended solids in brine from Magmamax No. 1 well
When high temperature, high salinity geothermal brines are cooled, appreciable quantities of solids precipitate. These suspended solids can cause extensive erosion and plugging in power plant components. In addition, there is considerable concern that reinjection of these solids with spent brine may plug the geologic formation adjacent to the reinjection wells. Work done to sample these solids and characterize them so that processes can be devised for their removal or control is described. Suspended solids produced in brine from Magmamax No. 1 well consist primarily of an iron-rich amorphous silica gel. A sampling apparatus to filter these solids out of high temperature, high pressure brine streams is described. Their chemical composition and physical description are discussed. Rates of production of suspended solids are given for brines flashed through nozzles and flashed in steam separators. Control of solids production by acidification to a pH <4.5 is described. At this time, control by acidification seems to offer an attractive alternative to conventional methods (filtering, settling, etc.) for removing suspended solids from spent brine prior to reinjection.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 7212079
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-79007; CONF-770227-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
150903 -- Geothermal Engineering-- Corrosion
Scaling & Materials Development
150904* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Geothermal Reservoir & Well Performance
ADSORBENTS
BRINES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
FILTERS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
INJECTION WELLS
PH VALUE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRECIPITATION
SALINITY
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SAMPLING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICA GEL
SUSPENSIONS
WELLS