Showing papers on "Brine published in 1975"

Brine drainage and initial salt entrapment in sodium chloride ice

Abstract: : To obtain a better understanding of the desalination of natural sea ice, an experimental technique was developed to measure sequential salinity profiles of a growing sodium chloride ice sheet. Using radioactive Na22 as a tracer, it was possible to determine both the concentration and movement of the brine within the ice without destroying the sample. A detailed temperature and growth history of the ice was maintained so that the variation of the salinity profiles could be properly interpreted. Since the experimental salinity profile represented a smoothed, rather than a true salinity distribution, a deconvolution method was devised to restore the true salinity profile. In all respects, the salinity profiles are similar to those of natural sea ice. They have a characteristic C-shape, and clearly exhibit the effects of brine drainage. To determine the relative importance of the desalination mechanisms, a theoretical brine expulsion model was derived and compared to the experimental data. As input for the model, equations describing the variation of some properties of NaCl brine with temperature were derived. A simplified form of the model, when compared to the experimental results, indicated that brine expulsion was only important during the first several hours of ice growth, and later became a minor desalination process relative to gravity drainage which continued to be the dominant mechanism for the remainder of the study period (up to 6 weeks). The rate of gravity drainage was found to be dependent on the brine volume and the temperature gradient of the ice. As either the brine volume or temperature gradient was increased, the rate of change of salinity due to gravity drainage increased.

Precipitation of Mississippi Valley-type ores

Abstract: Solubilities of galena in sodium chloride brines at temperatures near 100 degrees C are such that rather acid conditions are required to transport ore quantities of lead if the required reduced sulfur is transported in the same solution. If either calcite or dolomite is stable in the brine, this degree of acidity is ruled out, and if chalcopyrite is stable, the brine must be not only quite acid but highly reduced. Formation waters probably do not attain this degree of acidity, so to transport ore quantities of lead their reduced sulfur content must be very low, and must therefore be supplied at the site of deposition, causing precipitation. Mississippi Valley-type orebodies represent sites where metals from basinal brines and sulfide from limestones got together for considerable lengths of time, and the migration of H 2 S through the limestone to the site is at least as important as the flow of metal-bearing brine through the basin.

Process for the purification of electrolysis brine

Abstract: Brine is purified prior to electrolysis by dividing it into two streams, removing sulfate from one of the streams by precipitation with calcium chloride to form calcium sulfate, removing the precipitate and re-combining the streams Alkali hydroxide plus sodium carbonate are added to the re-combined streams to precipitate calcium carbonate which is removed Any magnesium comes down as the hydroxide The brine is then pure enough for electrolysis The calcium sulfate first precipitate is reacted with sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate which is then reacted with hydrochloric acid to form calcium chloride which is recycled to the process for precipitating calcium sulfate

Corrosion of Condenser Tube Alloys in Sulfide Contaminated Brine

Abstract: Increasing sulfide pollution of harbors and river estuaries has markedly increased corrosion of surface condenser alloys using once through cooling water. A laboratory study was conducted of several condenser tube alloys in flowing buffered sodium chloride solution, contaminated periodically with sulfide. The results showed that alternate treatment with sulfide and air was much more aggressive than air alone or sulfide alone. Corrosion performance of the alloys is compared.

Process for removal of silica from geothermal brine

Abstract: Ammonium hydroxide is added to a mixture of high-temperature, high-pressure geothermal steam and brine to raise the pH of the brine to between 6.0 and 7.0 and precipitate out a gelatinous sludge of aluminum and iron hydroxides. The hydroxide sludge is suspended in the brine and sweeps out enough dissolved silica so that the temperature and pressure of the brine can be reduced with little, if any, formation of silica scale. Various metals and ammonium hydroxide may then be recovered from the brine, the ammonium hydroxide being recycled in the process.

The gold-silicon phase diagram

Abstract: The temperature and composition of the eutectic reaction in the gold-silicon system have been redetermined. The eutectic temperature was determined by equilibrating specimens containing 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 at. % silicon at temperatures above and below the eutectic and then quenching them into iced brine. Each one was then examined metallographi-cally, and the phases in it were determined using X-ray diffractometry. The eutectic temperature was found to be 363 ±2° C. The eutectic composition was determined by equilibrating specimens on either side of the eutectic above the liquidus line, permitting them to solidify at various rates, and then examining them metallographically and by X-ray diffraction. The eutectic composition was found to be 19.0 ±0.5 at. % silicon. The liquidus line for composition up to 12 at. % silicon was redetermined by equilibrating specimens containing 2, 6, 10 and 12 at. % silicon above and below the liquidus line and then quenching them into iced brine.

Method of electrolysis of brine

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of electrolyzing alkali metal chloride brine in an electrolytic cell having an anolyte chamber containing an anode and a catholyte chamber containing a steel cathode, separated from the anolyte chamber by an asbestos diaphragm. Brine is fed to the anode chamber, a voltage is imposed across the cell, chlorine is evolved at the anode, and hydrogen is evolved at the cathode. According to the disclosed method, the hydrogen overvoltage is reduced by feeding an hydroxy carboxylic acid to the electrolytic cell. Additionally, a phosphorous containing compound and a surfactant may be added to the cell to further reduce the hydrogen overvoltage.

Removal of low level hardness impurities from brine feed to chlorine cells

Abstract: Brine from a conventional treatment process is pre-filtered prior to the electrolysis of same by a method which includes the steps of: (a) heating the brine, (b) adding sodium carbonate thereto, (c) stirring the solution, (d) allowing the solution to settle, and (e) passing the solution through an absolute membrane filter. The filter "polishes" the brine feed by removing the high hardness ions.

Cold storage tank

Abstract: A cold storage tank is mounted in a pit in the ground. An outer plastic sheet barrier lines the pit. A lining of incompressible insulating material lines the interior surface of the outer barrier. An inner plastic sheet barrier lines the interior surfaces of the insulation. A plurality of bags of fresh water are mounted inside of the inner barrier. Brine and gravel fills the inner barrier and the voids between said fresh water bags and covers the fresh water bags. An out-take pipe extends into the brine and is connected to a pump. A shallow tray is mounted above ground and the out-take pipe is connected to spray the brine onto the tray during freezing weather. An intake pipe is connected to drain the tray and return the cooled brine to the interior of the inner barrier. The brine surrounding the water bags is circulated through a heat exchanger for cooling air when required. Therefore the water in the bags will be frozen during freezing weather and cool air may be drawn out during warm weather for house or other cooling purposes.

Method of purifying the raw brine used in alkali salt electrolysis

Abstract: A method of purifying the raw brine used in the electrolysis of the aqueous NaCl or KCl solution by removing the Mg and Ca ions from said brine, which comprises contacting said brine with a member selected from the group consisting of A. the chelate-forming water-insoluble resins capable of forming an intramolecular complex with the Mg and Ca ions said resins being selected from the class consisting of the styrene-butadiene copolymer resins containing the group ≦N--CH 2 COOH, the epichlorohydrin polymer resins containing the group >N--CH 2 COOH, the N-phenyl glycine-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer resins containing the group >N--CH 2 COOH and the styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resins containing the group >N--CH 2 COOH; and B. the water-insoluble adsorbent solids adsorptively supporting a chelate-forming compound selected from the group consisting of the aminoacetic acids containing at least one >N--CH 2 COOH in their molecular structure and the oligomers and the alkali metal salts thereof.

Electrolytic cells and processes

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution containing alkali metal ions, for example, the electrolysis of brine to produce chlorine and caustic. In one embodiment, a composite membrane comprising at least an ion-conductive polymer and a metal permeable to alkali metal is used in an electrolytic cell. An illustration of such a polymer is a perfluorocarbon polymer containing sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, in intimate contact with a layer of mercury. Another aspect is the use of elevated pressures or other techniques substantially to eliminate the presence of normally gaseous products from the electrolyte. For example, high pressures may be employed to dissolve chlorine in a brine electrolyte and/or liquefy it. In another aspect, sodium sulfate is electrolyzed in a cell comprising a composite membrane, a formaminous anode, and a diaphragm between the composite membrane and anode; the oxygen produced is withdrawn through the anode.

A study of the freezing of sea water

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to study the interaction between convection currents in the sea water and the ice-water interface during freezing. The temperature at the ice-water interface during the early stages of freezing was approximately 0 °C, not the equilibrium freezing temperature. Salt plumes were observed to appear first at specific sites on the ice-water interface. This is contrary to earlier results reported by Farhadieh & Tankin (1972). The salinity profiles in the salt plumes were measured using interferograms in conjunction with Abel inversion. The maximum salinity, along the centre-line of the salt plume, is an indication of the salinity of the brine trapped within the ice.

Process for separation and recovery of metal values from sulfide ore concentrates

Abstract: An improvement in conventional processes for recovering metal values from sulfide ores containing lead, zinc and silver sulfides in which process the metal sulfides are converted to chlorides by chlorination followed by solubilization of the chlorides with a sodium chloride leach and subsequent recovery of the metals from their chlorides in accordance with a conventional flow sheet including crystallization, cementation, precipitation, fused salt electrolysis, etc., with chlorine being recovered for reuse by electrolysis of the sodium chloride leach solution substantially depleted of lead, silver and zinc, the improvement being a pollution-free process which comprises: 1. recycling the sodium chloride solution depleted of a major percentage of lead and silver to the sodium chloride or brine leaching step; and 2. controlling the concentration of zinc and other impurities in the sodium chloride or brine leaching solution by bleeding a portion from the recycle stream of (1) above, removing lead, zinc and other metal impurities from the bleed stream, electrolyzing the bleed stream to produce chlorine, sodium hydroxide and a weak sodium chloride solution followed by recycle of the chlorine to the dry chlorination step and weak sodium chloride solution, after concentration, to the leach solution to control the concentration of zinc chloride and other impurities in the leach solution. A further improvement is the use of an alternate dry chlorination procedure for the sulfide ores and, particularly, ores such as the tetrahedrite-tennantite series which are more satisfactorily chloridized by dry chlorination than by wet chlorination. Another improvement is use of a flow sheet by which no impurities are removed from the process in the form of chlorides so that no chlorine is lost from the system.

Concentration of underground brines in situ by solar evaporation

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of chemicals, such as chlorides, sulfates, carbonates and borates of such alkali metals as sodium and potassium, among others, from underground brines associated with an ore body containing said chemicals, wherein the underground brine is pumped to the surface and confined over said ore body where it is concentrated by solar evaporation and the concentrated brine returned to an underground basin adjacent said ore body and stored for later removal by pumping for the subsequent recovery of chemicals therefrom. Thus, solar evaporation is used to produce the desired concentration of brine to optimize the subsequent recovery of chemicals therefrom, thereby resulting in substantial savings in overall energy costs.

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing sources by direct contact with a working fluid below the critical pressure

Abstract: Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e.g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Cooled brine or water from the bottom of the heat transfer column and water from the accumulator are fed to a flashing device such as a flash drum operated at a pressure less than that in the accumulator, and the working fluid flashed off is compressed and returned to the cooler at the expander discharge, for condensation and recovery. Uncondensible gases plus working fluid losses are vented from the accumulator. Cold brine or water is discharged from the flashing means such as the flash drum, and any scale formed in the heat transfer column is discharged from the bottom thereof.

Biological apparatus for generating electrical power and process for producing bacteria electrolyte

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a biological source of electrical power is provided. The electrical power source comprises a pair of electrodes formed of elements having differing electromotive force. Interposed between the electrodes and in contact with them is an electrolytic material comprising an aqueous brine solution containing coexistent aerobic and anaerobic bacteria derived from a marine organism source mixed with a bacteria nutrient and filler composed of a finely divided cellulose material. All of the aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria is absorbed and carried by the finely divided cellulose material insuring that no free liquid remains. The aqueous brine solution containing the bacteria acts as the electrolyte for the power source and when an external load is applied to the terminals a usable voltage and current are produced.

Brine desalination process with phase-breaking by cold hydrocarbon injection

Abstract: Described is an improvement in a water desalination process comprising extracting salt water with a hydrocarbon to form a salt-water hydrocarbon phase having a temperature of 500° to 650° F wherein the phase is broken into salt-free water and hydrocarbon by injecting therein a hydrocarbon at a temperature of 70° to 200° F.

Ion exchange regeneration

Abstract: An improvement in closed cycle regeneration of sodium zeolite water softeners using sodium chloride soft brine input which comprises correlating the volume of liquid through the zeolite softener column so that in the effluent the alkaline earth metal content calculated as calcium carbonate has a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm. The sodium chloride soft brine input is selected as 8-12% with optimum 10%.

Production of hot brines from liquid-dominated geothermal wells by gas-lifting

Abstract: Hot brines containing dissolved gases are produced from liquid-dominated geothermal wells by utilizing lift gases of essentially the same composition as said dissolved gases. The lift gas is separated from the produced brine and recycled. Heat is abstracted from the separated brine, which may be returned to the aquifer, processed for its mineral content or discarded. The gas lift is carried out under temperature and pressure conditions such that precipitation of minerals from the brine does not occur in the well bore. The problems which would result from the use of oxygen-containing and/or brine-soluble inert gases for the lifting operation are avoided. The problems attendant upon production of hot brines by pumping are also avoided.

Crosslinking cellulose polymers

Abstract: Thickened aqueous solutions are prepared by crosslinking carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose solutions in brine via polyvalent metal ions. The CMHEC employed is characterized by specified carboxymethyl and hydroxyethyl substitution levels.

Process for producing salt having a reduced calcium sulfate content

Abstract: A process for preparing from aqueous NaCl brine containing appreciable quantities of dissolved calcium sulfate high purity dendritic salt, characterized by an exceptionally low calcium sulfate content. The process is carried out by 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.

Method of producing magnesium metal and chlorine from MgCl2 containing brine

Abstract: A method of producing magnesium and chlorine including the steps of injecting concentrated magnesium chloride containing brine into a hot gas spray drier wherein most of the water is evaporated to produce cell feed in the form of a powder of high porosity discrete particles of impure MgCl 2 , the impure particles being purified by in situ reaction within an electrolytic cell by depositing the particles onto an area of the surface of molten electrolyte whereby a portion of the entrained impurities are vaporized and withdrawn and circulating the electrolyte through the interelectrode space where the remaining impurities are chlorinated by chlorine gas produced at the anode, the circulation being at a rate to entrain most of the magnesium oxide particles in suspension for reaction with chlorine gas generated at the anode element. The molten magnesium produced at the cathode is withdrawn in the usual manner.

Treatment of water containing cyanide

Abstract: Sodium chloride is added to water which is then passed through at least one electrolytic cell. There, electrolysis of the sodium chloride produces chlorine molecules and sodium hydroxide. The water is then flowed into the presence of metal-cyanide contaminants. The chlorine and caustic immediately react with the metal-cyanide compounds to produce metal hydroxide precipitates, while the cyanide is decomposed and liberated from the water in carbon dioxide and gaseous nitrogen. As part of this reaction, the sodium chloride is reformed, so that the same brine can be recycled and the process repeated without further additives. The optimum pH of between 7 and 8 may be maintained as needed by addition of small amounts of hydrochloric acid to the system.

Process for disposing of the effluents from the distillers of ammonia-soda plants

Abstract: Process for disposing of the effluents from the distillers of ammonia-soda plants at the bottom of subterranean cavities of disused salt boreholes, the cavities being filled with a sodium chloride brine to prevent subsidence and an equivalent volume of the brine being recovered. The effluent introduced at the bottom of the borehole comprises a calcium chloride solution which has been concentrated to a density significantly higher than that of the saturated solution of sodium chloride present in the borehole.

Heat accumulating materials

Abstract: PURPOSE: To obtain heat accumulating materials that can securely solidify be a brine over 0°C degree, and having a transition temperature under 14°C degree. COPYRIGHT: (C)1977,JPO&Japio

Method for preventing eutectic caking of sodium chloride at high temperatures

Abstract: A body of particles of sodium chloride (1) initially containing sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate, and/or (2) exposed to compounds capable of reacting in situ with the sodium chloride and/or with each other to form sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate, is maintained free from caking at temperatures within the range of from about 610° C to at least about 700° C by maintaining such a body substantially free from sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate. One or more compounds, at least one of which contains calcium ion, are provided in the system to react with any sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate present in the system initially, and with any compounds in the system which would otherwise react to form sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate. One aspect of this invention enables the operation of a fluidized bed reactor at more efficient operating temperatures than previously attainable in the incineration of organic matter contained in an aqueous sodium chloride brine over a bed of sodium chloride fluidized by gases from the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels and fuel oils.

Dehydration of magnesium chloride

Abstract: A method for dehydrating magnesium chloride hydrates or brines by complexing with amine hydrochlorides is described Magnesium chloride hydrate or brine is reacted with an amine hydrochloride to form a complex which is then heated to first drive off water and then at a more elevated temperature to decompose the anhydrous complex into anhydrous magnesium chloride and amine hydrochloride Any magnesium oxides present in the starting material is converted to the chloride by reaction with the HCl present