Showing papers on "Brine published in 1974"

Multiple-effect multi-stage flash evaporation process and apparatus for demineralizing water

Abstract: In a desalting plant of multiple evaporator effects and multistage flash evaporators, saline water including calcium sulfate is fed to a first flash evaporator after being preheated through the multiple flash evaporators to a temperature slightly below the critical precipitation temperature of hemihydrite, about 150* C, and in the first evaporator, the saline water is evaporated to produce brine and vapor. The brine from the first flash evaporator is introduced into a first evaporator effect to produce vapor and enriched brine. The enriched brine is then introduced into a subsequent flash evaporator where a portion of the enriched brine is further evaporated to produce vapor and further enriched brine. The vapor produced in the first evaporator effect condenses in a subsequent evaporator effect to transfer its latent heat of condensation and produce desalted condensate water. In this manner, brine in an evaporator effect from a flash evaporator is evaporated to produce vapor and enriched brine, and the enriched brine is introduced into a subsequent flash evaporator, so that the brine containing super-saturated anhydrite calcium sulfate is condensed through every evaporator effect within a time insufficient to form scale of calcium sulfate on the surfaces of heat exchange tubes.

Multi-stage flash distillation plant

Abstract: A multi-stage distillation plant consisting essentially of a multi-flash evaporator provided with a multi-flash chamber which is divided into a heat recovery section and a heat rejection section. In this multi-stage flash distillation plant, the aforesaid flash evaporator is provided with a deaerator for deaerating cold sea water, a thickener for separating brine containing a relatively great amount of seeds, from concentrated brine which has been extracted from a front chamber of the final stage flash chamber, and a seed mixing tank for obtaining a seed-mixed brine, whereby part of the sea water which has passed through the deaerator is supplied as a feed sea water to the rear chamber of the final stage flash chamber, while the brine containing a relatively great amount of seed and extracted from the thickener is joined to the seed-mixed brine fed from the seed mixing tank. Thus, the confluent brine thus joined together is discharged for deaeration into the final stage flash chamber from a distributor provided in the rear chamber thereof. According to another aspect of the invention, the aforesaid deaerator is omitted and the feed sea water which has not been subjected to deaeration is joined to the aforesaid confluent brine and is discharged for deaeration from the distributor.

Recovery of fluorine, uranium and rare earth metal values from phosphoric acid by-product brine raffinate

Abstract: A method for recovering substantially all of the fluorine and uranium values and at least 90 percent of the rare earth metal values from brine raffinate obtained as by-product in the production of phosphoric acid by the hydrochloric acid decomposition of tricalcium phosphate minerals. A basically reacting compound is added to the brine raffinate to effect a pH of at least about 9, whereby fluorine, uranium and rare earth metal values are simultaneously precipitated therefrom. These values may then be separately recovered from the precipitate by known processes.

Geothermal brine energy to generate power

Abstract: A process for using energy from a hot brine to generate power, comprising: FLASHING THE HOT BRINE IN A FLASH ZONE TO FORM STEAM AND A CONCENTRATED BRINE, USING THE STEAM TO DRIVE A POWER-GENERATING TURBINE, CONDENSING THE EXHAUST STEAM FROM THE TURBINE, COMBINING CONDENSATE FROM THE TURBINE EXHAUST WITH THE CONCENTRATED BRINE TO FORM A RESTORED BRINE, AND RETURNING THE RESTORED BRINE TO THE SOURCE OF THE HOT BRINE.

Plural chamber serial flow forced air cooled crystallizer

Abstract: Crystallization of soluble salts such as potassium chloride from a solution of potassium chloride and sodium chloride by means of multiple unit heat exchange and refrigerative crystallizers which cool the brine solution to a temperature of about -10*F. More specifically, the brine solution is cooled by a heat exchange crystallizer to provide a soluble salt or potassium chloride slurry, the slurry then being cooled in a refrigerative crystallizer to effect additional crystallization of the potassium chloride. Salt is rejected by discarding the cooled, heat exchange brine, or through the crystallization and removal of NaCl.H2O.

Electrolytic manufacture of chlorine and sodium carbonate

Abstract: Manufacture of chlorine and sodium carbonate using a combination of electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride in a diaphragm cell, carbonation of the caustic brine leaving the cell, and the ammonia-soda method of making sodium carbonate. An aqueous solution of sodium chloride is electrolyzed in at least one diaphragm cell to form a caustic brine. The caustic brine leaving the cell is carbonated and further treated. This is first done in a soda plant without ammonia by treating the caustic brine in at least one monocarbonation scrubber by reacting the caustic brine with a gas having a low carbon dioxide content without causing bicarbonate precipitation in the monocarbonation scrubber to form a monocarbonated caustic brine, and treating the monocarbonated caustic brine in at least one bicarbonation column by reacting at least part of it with gas rich in carbon dioxide to precipitate sodium bicarbonate in the bicarbonation column and to form a mother liquor. The precipitated sodium bicarbonate from the mother liquor is separated by filtration. The separated mother liquor is de-bicarbonated by converting the dissolved bicarbonate to carbonate. The de-bicarbonated mother liquor is saturated with respect to sodium chloride. Then the saturated liquor is treated in an ammonia-soda process for making sodium carbonate and the saturated liquor is used as at least a partial source of sodium chloride for such process.

Lignosulfonate gels for sweep improvement in flooding operations

Abstract: Improved sweep efficiency in oil-bearing reservoirs having high permeability streaks therein can be effected by first injecting a gel-forming solution consisting essentially of a dichromate activator in a lignosulfonate solution, modified by the presence of an alkali metal halide or an alkaline earth metal halide, such as, for example, sodium chloride or calcium chloride. This system has the advantage of high temperature tolerance and the gelforming characteristics thereof are not appreciably affected either by formation brine or CO2. Gel-forming solutions can be designed requiring from 10 to 2,000 hours to form a gel.

Geothermal heat exchange method and apparatus

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for utilizing hot brine existing beneath the Earth''s surface as a source of power, wherein the hot brine is utilized to volatilize a liquid substance in order to provide a gaseous flow under pressure for the creation of power. The method and apparatus is characterized by the utilization of hot brine from beneath the Earth''s surface in contact with an enclosed conduit into which a liquid is placed, which liquid volatilizes and expands in contact with sufficient heat, and in which a unique driver system is utilized to eliminate scale frequently occurring from an operation of this type arrangement.

Crystallization of sodium chloride of reduced calcium sulfate content in presence of about 5 to about 500 ppm

Abstract: A process for preparing from brine (an aqueous solution of salt) containing appreciable quantities of dissolved calcium sulfate either (1) high purity salt (sodium chloride) having the usual cubic crystalline form or (2) high purity dendritic salt, either form of salt being characterized by an exceptionally low calcium sulfate content. The process for the preparation of the cubic crystalline form of sodium chloride (hereinafter also referred to as ''''salt'''') is carried out by either (1) a ''''feed and bleed'''' procedure comprising admixing an alkali metal polyphosphate with said brine to increase the supersaturation of calcium sulfate therein, feeding the brine containing this additive into an evaporating and crystallizing chamber, evaporating the brine at an elevated temperature and reduced pressure to cause crystallization of pure salt and concomitantly bleeding brine from the chamber, the rate of feed of the brine to the chamber and the rate of bleed of brine from the chamber being such as to maintain the calcium sulfate in the dissolved state and prevent its precipitation with the salt, or by (2) subjecting brine to solar evaporation to concentrate same to the so-called ''''salt point'''', i.e., that point at which salt will crystallize from the brine if the brine is subjected to slightly more evaporation, adding to said salt-point brine an alkali metal polyphosphate to increase the supersaturation of calcium sulfate therein, feeding the brine containing the polyphosphate to a primary evaporating pond and subjecting the brine to solar evaporation to cause the continuous crystallization of salt therefrom and concomitantly bleeding brine from the primary evaporating pond to a secondary evaporating pond, the rate of feed of brine to the primary evaporating pond and the rate of bleed of brine therefrom being such as to maintain the calcium sulfate in the dissolved state in the primary evaporating pond and prevent its precipitation with the salt. The process for the preparation of dendritic salt is the same feed and bleed process as utilized for the preparation of cubic crystalline salt, except that an alkali metal ferrocyanide is added to the brine in addition to an alkali metal polyphosphate.

Process for electrolysis of brine

Abstract: In the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride brine in an electrolytic cell equipped with a permselective ion exchange membrane between the anode and cathode, which membrane is of the perfluorinated sulfonic acid type, improved anode and cathode current efficiencies are obtained with lower power consumption by introducing the aqueous alkali metal chloride solution into the anode compartment at an alkali metal chloride content of at least 250 grams per liter and a pH which is not in excess of about 4.5, which pH is maintained by the addition of hydrochloric acid to the alkali metal chloride solution, and controlling the rate of flow of the solution through the anode compartments such that the alkali metal chloride content of the solution removed from the anode compartment is at least 25 grams per liter less than that of the solution introduced into the compartment. The alkali metal chloride content of this solution is then increased to at least 250 grams per liter by the addition of alkali metal chloride and the pH is reduced to at least 4.5 of the addition of hydrochloric acid and the solution is reintroduced into the anode compartment. Additionally, water is introduced into the cathode compartment, the rate of water addition and the rate of removal of catholyte liquor from the cathode compartment being controlled such that the alkali metal hydroxide content of the catholyte liquor removed is not in excess of about 33% by weight.

Process for converting aqueous sewage to potable water

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for disposing of aqueous sewage and for producing fresh water by coking the sewage in the liquid phase to form gases, coke and an effluent which is extracted with a hot liquid hydrocarbon to form a hydrocarbon-water solution and a hot concentrated brine The hot brine is injected into the sewage sludge to heat same to coking temperature Hot water is removed from the hydrocarbon-water solution, used for space heating or the like and thereby cooled The cool water then is passed through a carbon absorber to remove traces of hydrocarbon dissolved therein, and chlorinated to give potable water

Method and apparatus for separating and collecting hydrocarbons in a volatile vapor mixture

Abstract: A new and improved method and apparatus for controlling air pollution caused by volatile emissions from petroleum storage tanks and the like, wherein such volatile emissions or vapors are caused to flow in direct contact with a finely dispersed mist or spray of brine or glycol solution for condensing the hydrocarbon vapors, and for also collecting water vapor in condensed form below the area in which the hydrocarbon is condensed with the brine or glycol solution, while allowing the air to pass from the vapors substantially free of pollutants.

Process for isolating aqueous brine layers in underground gas-storage caverns

Abstract: Process for isolating aqueous brine layers in underground gas-storage caverns which comprises injecting into the said cavern a liquid polyurethane-resin-forming composition that is hardenable by reaction with water which, upon hardening, forms a resinous barrier between the brine and the gas-storage space thereabove that is essentially impervious to water vapor. The liquid hardenable polyurethane-resin-forming composition comprises a polyol and a polyisocyanate of an aromatic hydrocarbon.

Modified calcium chloride brine desiccant

Abstract: A new composition of matter comprising 100 parts of 50 weight percent calcium chloride and 15 parts magnesium nitrate, and a process for using the new composition of matter for dehydrating gaseous petroleum hydrocarbons.

Pressure switch brine shut-off

Abstract: A brine system to manufacture brine for the regeneration of ion exchange material including a brine well positioned within a brine drum. A vertically adjustable air chamber activates a diaphragm and control arm assembly which in turn controls inlet shut-off valves associated with the brine well when the water level within the drum reaches a predetermined level. The control arm has a unique cam arrangement associated therewith which prevents premature shut-off of the valves. Water enters and is withdrawn from the brine well through a down tube having a vertically adjustable lower end extending down into the brine well to a predetermined level and an upper end in communication with the shut-off valves through a series of passageways and chambers. A floating disc seal is provided within one of these chambers to shut-off the air entering the chamber after the brine is drawn down to a level below the lower end of the down tube.

Control of alkali metal chlorates in mercury cell brine

Abstract: A process is described for controlling the concentration of alkali metal chlorate impurities in alkali metal chloride brines used in the electrolytic production of chlorine. The pH of the depleted alkali metal chloride brine is adjusted to within the range from about 7.5 to about 8.5, and then saturated with additional alkali metal chloride. After clarification, at least a portion of the resulting reconstituted brine is contacted with chlorine-containing blow-off gas from a chlorine liquification step, the pH of the reconstituted brine is adjusted to below about 5, and the thus treated brine is recycled to the electrolytic cells. Adjusting the pH of the depleted brine to between about 7.5 and about 8.5 prior to reconstitution and prior to contact with blowoff gas helps to maintain the concentration of alkali metal chlorates in the resulting reconstituted brine to below about 4 grams per liter. Such a low alkali metal chlorate concentration in the brine markedly improves the efficiency of the electrolytic cell.

Experimental study of boiling on heating surfaces during the thermal fluidization of a bed of particles

Abstract: The results of an experimental investigation into the boiling of distilled water, aqueous solutions of NaCl, and sea-water brine on heating surfaces situated in a bed of mutuallydisconnected particles at atmospheric and reduced pressures are presented.

Recovery of natural gas during solution mining of an underground salt deposit

Abstract: Brine coming to the earth's surface can contain substances other than salt in water; occasionally of particular interest is gas contained in the brine, especially natural gas or methane or ethane. As the brine reaches the surface of the earth, the presence of this gas is visibly apparent and gives the brine a cloudy appearance. This gas is typically well dispersed through the brine initially as very minute incipient gas bubbles that will accumulate and separate from the brine, given sufficient time. A method is herein provided for quickly and efficiently clarifying the brine by passing the cloudy brine through a filter zone providing a pressure drop across the zone of greater than about 20 p.s.i.g.

Continuous automatic water-softening system - with alternative exchanger when one is being regenerated

Abstract: The system in which the supply of soft water is not stopped during the regeneration cycle, comprises two ion exchange beds which are connected to a device which is sensitive to the hardness of the water. When the first bed is exhausted, the second is used while the first is being regenerated. When this is complete, the two beds are again connected in series but in the reverse order. Brine is contd. in a reservoir which is connected by various valves and and a pipe system to a programmer. When the probe indicates that the resin in one bed is exhausted, it is washed with hard water, the brine is introduced and, after the latter has acted, the resin is rinsed with hard water and reintroduced into the softening circuit. In this way the softened water is supplied continuously. The capital cost is reduced because smaller exchanger vessels can be used.

Cooling process for selective salt crystallization

Abstract: Salable salt values in a complex brine are recovered by cooling to crystallize mirabilite, then using solar evaporations to recover readily processable groupings of sodium salts and potassium salts.

Treatment of catalytic anodes

Abstract: A process for the removal of barium containing scale from anodes which comprises treating the anodes with sulphuric acid containing not more than 10 per cent by weight of water, eg by treating with concentrated sulphuric acid at ambient temperature. The invention is especially applicable to the removal of barium sulphate containing scale from oxide coated metal anodes of the type used in the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride (eg KCl) brines and wherein the brine use has been subjected to a purification stage which involves the removal of sulphate ions by the addition of barium chloride.

Freezing processes. Hydrate processes. Liquid-liquid extraction

Abstract: The ice which separates from brine is almost pure. A salt concentration builds up at the interface of the brine and the ice. In freezing processes, as applied in desalting, many small ice crystals are formed which are dispersed in the liquid. Brine is enclosed in the slurry and washing the ice crystals with pure water consumes part of the fresh water produced. Techniques which would allow the ice crystals to be formed in more regular and larger shapes would reduce the washing problem and improve the efficiency of the freezing process.