Showing papers on "Brine published in 1982"

Interpretation of mixed wettability states in reservoir rocks

Abstract: It has recently been noted that the diffuse electrical double layers which exist at the oil/ brine and the mineral/brine interfaces in sandstone reservoirs will in many cases be quite similar with respect to electric charge and potential. Extremely thin aqueous wetting films separating such interfaces are thus stabilized by the electrostatic repulsive force acting between the double layers. In the present paper the limits under which stable thin films can exist are examined in more detail. It is shown that there exists a lower limit to the pore size in which thin wetting films will occur and that this limiting size depends on the salinity of the brine. It is also shown that whether this limiting pore size becomes a factor in determining the wettability of the rock/brine/oil system depends on the pore size distribution curve and on the initial brine saturation of the rock. Geological factors which may come into play in establishing the initial water saturation in a given case are discussed.

Patterns of three-liquid-phase behavior illustrated by alcohol-hydrocarbon-water-salt mixtures

Abstract: Ten salts were each dissolved in water and the solutions mixed with equal volumes of one of six hydrocarbons and one of ten monohydric alcohols. The resulting multiphase mixtures were examined for the number of coexisting liquid phases and, in some cases, for the partitioning of alcohol among them. Several unusual patterns of phase behavior have been observed. For example, increasing concentrations of sodium chloride induce the widely observed 232 pattern of phase behavior in equal-volume mixtures of n-propyl alcohol, octane, and brine. However, with lithium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride, the induced pattern is 2323. All of the patterns observed in the alcohol-hydrocarbon-brine systems chosen for this study can be summarized by two basic quaternary phase diagrams. It is conjectured that any three- or four-component system exhibiting three liquid phases in equilibrium can be described in terms of these two basic phase diagrams.

Process for the removal of chlorate and hypochlorite from spent alkali metal chloride brines

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the concentration of oxyhalogen impurities in an alkali metal halide brine recovered from an electrolytic cell which comprises circulating the alkali metal halide brine to a treatment zone outside of the electrolytic cell Within the treatment zone, the alkali metal halide brine is reacted with oxalic acid while maintaining the alkali metal halide brine at a pH of less than about 45 A purified brine having a substantially reduced concentration of oxyhalogen impurities is recovered from the treatment zone The process may be employed in treating brines recovered from mercury cells and membrane cells for the production of chlorine and alkali metal hydroxides and its employment results in a substantial reduction in the amount of concentrated acid required in brine treatment and a reduction in energy costs for brine purification

Spontaneous emulsification in oil-watf.r.-surfactant systems*

Abstract: Mixtures of several alkl-aryl sulfonates with brine were carefully contacted with oil. The mixtures contained a few percent surfactant and were either liquid crystalline phases or dispersions of liquid crystalline particles in brine. At high salinities a brine layer developed between the initial phases and an emulsion of brine drops in oil formed spontaneously at discrete sites along the surface of contact. At low salinities no emulsifixation was seen. The occurrence of emulsification only at high salinities is explained in terms of local supersaturation produced by the diffusion process.

Alkaline scale abatement

Abstract: Formation of alkaline scale in water distillation equipment is reduced or substantially eliminated without a significant increase in equipment corrosion rate by dissolving an effective amount of carbon dioxide in brine which is boiling or flashed or which has been boiled or flashed and which contains an effective amount of a high temperature threshold effect chemical scale control additive.

Washing machine with electrochemical cell

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a washing tube, a water supply an a decalcifier for receiving water from the water supply and for discharging softened water. A metering tank is at an upper position in the machine to receive softened water from the decalcifier. A brine tank at a lower position in the machine receives softened water from the metering tank and generates brine. An electrochemical cell is provided to generate chlorine gas. Valves are provided to selectively pass brine from the brine tank to the electrochemical cell or to the decalcifier. Chlorine gas generated in the cell is absorbed and then passed to the washing tube.

Method for conditioning geothermal brine to reduce scale formation

Abstract: A method for conditioning a flow of hot geothermal brine or aqueous liquid to reduce scale formation by pH-sensitive, dissolved materials includes injecting into the flow of brine or liquid an anhydrous, halogenated acid precursor which hydrolyzes in the brine or liquid to form a hydrohalic acid. The acid precursor, which may be tetrachloromethane, is preferably injected into an extraction well at the vicinity of the producing formation at a rate reducing the pH of the brine or liquid about one pH unit, or to about 3.5, near the injection point. The method also provides for increasing, if necessary, the acid precursor hydrolysis rate in the brine or liquid by atomizing the injected acid precursor with a pressurized fluid, preferably gaseous nitrogen.

The Brine Zone in the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica

Abstract: : Observations of a 44-m-high brine step in the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica, show that it has migrated about 12 km in 4 years The present brine wave is overriding an older brine-soaked layer This migration is proof of the dynamic nature of the step, which is the leading edge of a brine wave that originated at the shelf edge after a major break-out of the McMurdo Ice Shelf The inland boundary of brine penetration is characterized by a series of descending steps that are believed to represent terminal positions of separate intrusions of brine of similar origin The inland boundary of brine percolation is probably controlled largely by the depth at which brine encounters the firn/ ice transition (43 m) However, this boundary is not fixed by permeability considerations alone, since measurable movement of brine is still occurring at the inland boundary Freeze-fractionation of the seawater as it migrates throught the ice shelf preferentially precipitates virtually all sodium sulfate, and concomitant removal of water by freezing in the pore spaces of the infiltrated firm produces residual brines approximately six times more concentrated than the original seawater

Solubility of methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in brines from 0/sup 0/ to 300/sup 0/C

Abstract: Analysts measured the solubility of methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in brines at temperatures ranging from 32/sup 0/ to 570/sup 0/F by extracting pure gas from known volumes of brine. The results, expressed in terms of the Henry's law constant, were adjusted for temperature to give an analytical expression for numerical interpolation and for computation of the thermodynamic functions describing the dissolution of gases in liquids. Known solubilities were extended to much higher temperatures and expanded to include geothermal brines and substantially more concentrated sodium chloride brines. Investigators concluded that (1) the solubility reaches a maximum at temperatures ranging from 140/sup 0/ to 200/sup 0/F for methane and oxygen and from 320/sup 0/ to 340/sup 0/F for carbon dioxide, (2) the Henry's law constant increases (that is, gases are salted out of the brines) in the presence of dissolved salts, (3) salting-out coefficients are strongly temperature-dependent, and (4) the temperature dependence of the Henry's law constant for geothermal brines differs from that for sodium chloride brines due to the former's more complex chemistry.

Compositions and processes for using hydroxyethyl cellulose in heavy brines

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for activating hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) such that the HEC will disperse and hydrate in compatible heavy brines having a density greater than about 135 pounds per gallon containing one or more salts selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, zinc chloride, and zinc bromide, at ambient temperatures such that the HEC will be at least 80% hydrated within one hour The activation process comprises admixing the HEC with an organic liquid which has no appreciable swelling effect on the HEC and an amine activator The invention also provides activated HEC compositions and a process of increasing the viscosity of a heavy brine utilizing these compositions

Method for surfactant waterflooding in a high brine environment

Abstract: An improved recovery process is provided for fluent petroleum in a porous formation having spaced injection means and production well recovery means which includes a concentrated brine drive and surfactant carrier system. Advantageously, an effective aqueous surfactant composition is formulated containing a water-soluble ether-linked sulfonate surfactant, a cosolvent alcohol, and at least one cosurfactant (as for example, petroleum sulfonate or alkylbenzene sulfonate) or sacrificial sulfonate material in a concentrated brine carrier.

The mobilization of selected trace metals from shales by aqueous solutions; effects of temperature and ionic strength

Abstract: Removal of trace metals from shales by subsurface brines is often suggested as an origin of base metals in low-temperature, strata-bound ore deposits. This investigation studied the hypothesis that brine leaching of shales can increase metal content of subsurface brines sufficiently that the brines could potentially serve as ore-forming fluids. Two aspects were studied: the effect on mobilization of changes in the brine temperature (25 degrees , 50 degrees , and 90 degrees C) and of changes in the ionic strength (0, 0.7, 2.0, and 4.0). The results of this study support the hypothesis. The following observations were made: (1) Increasing either the temperature or ionic strength of the brine increased the amount of leaching, but the trends were neither simple nor linear; a brine with an ionic strength of 10 at 120 degrees C might not be any more effective in leaching trace metals than a brine with an ionic strength of 5 at 90 degrees C. (2) Changing the salt composition of the brine changed the amount and type of mobilization. Calcium, for example, was found to be effective in leaching Pb and Zn, while K was found to be effective in mobilizing Cu.

Viscous heavy brines

Abstract: Hydroxyethyl cellulose and a sequestrant are added to a heavy brine containing one or more salts selected from calcium chloride, calcium bromide, and zinc bromide to increase the viscosity of the brine. Preferably the brine contains zinc bromide, has a density in the range from about 14.2-19.2 pounds per gallon, and the sequestrant is a polyphosphonic acid or water soluble salt thereof.

Field Tests of Organic Additives for Scale Control at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field

Abstract: A pilot-size brine handling system was operated from Magmamax Well 1 in southern California to study the characteristics of siliceous scale deposition and to evaluate the possibility of treating the brine with chemical additives to control scaling. The rates of formation, chemical constitution, and morphology of the scales were examined as functions of temperature, brine salinity, substrate material, and antiscalant additive activity. The most active classes of compounds were those containing polymeric chains of oxyethylene and polymeric nitrogen compounds that are cationic in character. The best single compound was Corcat P-18. 30 refs.

Water-clay-based drilling fluids, and use of same in well drilling operations

Abstract: Polyethylene glycols in combination with at least one water-dispersible polymeric viscosifier comprising cellulose ethers, cellulose sulfate esters, polyacrylamides, guar gum, or heteropolysaccharides improve the water loss properties of water-based drilling fluids, particularly in hard brine environments.

Acidic high temperature stable aqueous brine fluids viscosified by basic N-heterocyclic polymers

Abstract: There is provided an aqueous brine fluid having a pH of less than about 5 and containing a high salt concentration and a basic N-heterocyclic polymer or copolymer such as polyvinyl pyridine which serves to increase the viscosity of the fluid, particularly at elevated temperatures of above about 300° F. These fluids are particularly useful as drilling fluids for the drilling of oil and gas wells.

Gypsum Precipitation by Mixing Seawater Brines

Abstract: Experiments indicate that gypsum can be precipitated by the mixing of seawater brines of different stages of evaporation, in addition to the previously recognized mechanisms of direct evaporative crystallization and crystallization due to temperature changes. A proposed geologic model shows how gypsum precipitation by brine mixing might occur in an evaporite basin. Conclusions based on the experiments and their relations to the geologic model are as follows. 1. Precipitation of gypsum can occur in a marine evaporite basin by mixing brines of different composition and specific gravity. 2. Precipitation occurs without further water loss by evaporation. 3. Precipitation can occur from a brine that was undersaturated before mixing. 4. The only form of calcium sulfate to precipitate in these experiments was gypsum. 5. Brine mixing could cause different salts to be deposited simultaneously in different parts of a basin depending on the stage of the evaporite cycle.

Low cost, brine tolerant sulfonate and sulfate surfactants having 1,3-dihydrocarboxy-2-propyl hydrophobic tails

Abstract: Novel sulfonate and sulfate surfactants which have low interfacial tension at high salinity, and their use in enhanced oil recovery are disclosed. These surfactants may be made from relatively inexpensive intermediates, such as monohydric alcohols and epichlorohydrin. These surfactants have 1,3-dihydrocarboxy-2-propyl hydrophobic tails linked by ethoxy linkages to sulfate or alkyl sulfonate moieties.

Removal of chlorate and hypochlorite from electrolyte cell brine

Abstract: A process for removing chlorate ions from a recirculating anolyte brine as typically used in membrane chlor-alkali cells is disclosed. In this, a portion of the circulating brine after dechlorination and resaturation with additional alkali metal chloride is diverted and treated with an acidified aliphatic aldehyde to convert substantially all of the hypochlorite and chlorate to chlorine dioxide, chlorine gas and chloride ion. When performed in this manner, substantially lower quantities of acid are required as compared to prior art processes and the problems with the generation of excessive quantities of ClO2 are minimized.

Brine systems for chlor-alkali membrane cells

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel brine system for use in electrolyzing salt to chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen in chlor-alkali cells employing an ion exchange membrane and, more particularly, to the efficient use of brine as the raw material to be electrolyzed in chlor-alkali membrane cells. This invention also relates to a process for the conversion of a diaphragm cell and evaporator plant to one employing membrane type cells while still utilizing the existing brine treatment and caustic evaporation equipment and the resultant plant installations.

Dissolution of Aluminum-, Titanium-, and Zirconium-Based Crystalline Waste Form Components Under Hydrothermal Conditions

Abstract: Solubility effects were measured on ceramic and single crystal alumina, titania, SrTiO/sub 3/ (perovskite structure), and ceramic zirconia at 300 and 400/sup 0/C for times of 7 and 18 days. Selected fluids were deionized water, a high-bicarbonate, high-sulfate simulated connate water (about 1% total dissolved solids), saturated NaCl brine, and a high-magnesium, high-calcium bittern brine. There is measurable dissolution of Al/sup 3 +/ in the connate water and in the bittern brine only. In both cases this can be related to the low pH conditions expected in these fluids at high temperature and to the increase in aluminum solubility with decreasing pH. The SrTiO/sub 3/ breaks down to some extent in all fluids in the order bittern brine > NaCl > bicarbonate water > deionized water. Dissolution attack on both titanium and zirconium oxides is very small, indicating that the oxides are stable in the pressure-temperature-fluid composition regime. Breakdown of the perovskite phase appears to be by incongruent dissolution with concurrent precipitation of the titanium oxide.

Improved operation and regeneration of permselective ion-exchange membrane in brine electrolysis cells

Abstract: A method of operating and regenerating an electrolysis cell for electrolysing aqueous alkali metal halide solution and having permselective cation exchange membrane forming an anolyte and a catholyte compartment. The method comprises the steps of: feeding to and electrolyzing in said cell a brine which, at least prior to the brine's becoming part of the anolyte, contains no more than 5 ppm hardness (expressed as ppm calcium) and no more than 70 ppm carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, carbonate and bicarbonate (expressed as ppm CO2); regenerating the membrane by contacting the membrane on at least one of its sides with a solution capable of dissolving the multivalent cation compounds fouling the membrane for a time sufficient to dissolve a substantial amount of the compounds, the solution having a pH lower than the pH of the electrolyte which contacted that side of the membrane during the normal cell electrolysis.

Method for reducing corrosiveness of aqueous fluids

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the corrosiveness of an aqueous fluid, particularly water containing dissolved oxygen and corrosive chemical agents such as naturally-occurring brine. According to the method, an enzyme which reacts with a substrate and consumes oxygen is added to the water along with a suitable substrate. Crude oil or other hydrocarbon material is also added to the water. The resulting water is less corrosive than water not containing the described system. In another embodiment of the invention, a water-flood method of post-primary oil recovery is provided in which the brine used is made less corrosive to metal drilling equipment by the addition to the water of an oxygen-consuming enzyme, a suitable substrate for the enzyme, and crude oil or other hydrocarbon material.

Operation of a mineral recovery unit on brine from the Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area. Report of investigations/1982

Abstract: 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.

Process for filtration of aqueous oil-containing brines

Abstract: A process is provided for filtration of aqueous oil-containing brines that are substantially free from viscosity-increasing agents, which comprises adding to the aqueous oil-containing brine having a tendency to contaminate and plug a filter a sufficient amount of an oxidizing agent capable of reacting with plugging contaminants present in the brine to alleviate the plugging tendency, thereby extending filter life.

Inhibition of CaCO3 Precipitation From Brine Solutions: A New Flow System for High-Temperature and -Pressure Studies

Abstract: The study of calcium carbonate (CaCO/sub 3/) scale inhibition in geopressured energy systems has led to the development of a flow system with high temperature and pressure capability. A high-pressure (performance) liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was modified by the addition of a backpressure valve and by bypassing the HPLC packed column. Solution mixing and temperature are computer-controlled, and CaCO13B precipitation is monitored by in-line pH measurement. Simulated and real brine samples were used to evaluate scale inhibitors, and CaCO/sub 3/ precipitation was related to the saturation index, I/sub s/.