Showing papers on "Brine published in 2002"

NMR Investigation of the Quasi-Brine Layer in Ice/Brine Mixtures

Abstract: We report the study of a liquidlike phase that is found in dilute NaCl aqueous solutions frozen at temperatures below the liquid-to-solid-phase transition temperatures of H2O and NaCl·2H2O. There is strong evidence that heterogeneous reactions of gases with halides in liquid layers on ice are the source of halogen radicals that destroy the lower tropospheric ozone, and a subeutectic brine phase is thus of particular relevance to discussions of atmospheric composition and its dependence on the chemistry of polar marine ice and snow. The fractions and concentrations of water and NaCl in this subeutectic quasi-liquid phase were measured by 1H and 23Na NMR spectroscopy, and the experimental results compared to predictions derived from an equilibrium thermodynamic analysis. The temperature dependence of the salt concentration is well-described by the equilibrium theory for temperature ranges where ideal solution behavior holds; for lower temperatures, where the observed salt concentration increases and deviati...

Methods and apparatus for estimating on-line water conductivity of multiphase mixtures

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for estimating brine water conductivity in a multiphase mixture of brine water and other substances by combining measured mixture permittivity and conductivity with a known or derived relationship between brine water conductivity and brine water permittivity. The mixture permittivity and conductivity are measured using an open-ended coaxial probe or other probes at microwave frequencies. A number of applications for the brine water conductivity estimate are disclosed including making salinity corrections of a dual energy flow meter.

Iodine-129 constraints on residence times of deep marine brines in the Canadian Shield

Abstract: Canadian Shield brines are characterized by high concentrations of both stable iodine and 1 2 9 I, the former reflecting its concentrated but diagenetically modified seawater origin, and the latter its long subsurface residence time within its host shield rocks. Stable iodine concentrations in the Yellowknife brine are as high as 18 mg/L, requiring the contribution of iodine from an external marine reservoir. This reservoir likely comprised organic-rich marine sediments in the basin where the brine was produced. Diagenesis of these sediments released iodine to the brine during its infiltration into the subsurface. 1 2 9 I concentrations in the Yellowknife brine are as high as 3.4 x 10 8 atom/L and are due to the fission of 2 3 8 U in the rock matrix and subsequent diffusion of the radiogenic 1 2 9 I into the fracture fluids. This concentration is close to the predicted secular equilibrium concentration for a fluid in basaltic rock with a uranium concentration of 1 mg/kg after the residence time of ∼80 m.y. required for secular equilibrium has been attained. This time period is interpreted as the minimum residence time of the Yellowknife brine in the shield, but it may be much greater, possibly dating back to Middle Devonian time when most of the present-day shield was covered by seawater. Similarly high stable iodine and 1 2 9 I concentrations measured in the Sudbury brine support a generic, ancient marine hypothesis for the origin of shield brines. Stable iodine and 1 2 9 I concentrations in the shallower mine waters are the result of mixing between the brine and low-iodine modern meteoric recharge that is enriched in 1 2 9 I due to global fallout from nuclear fuel waste reprocessing activities.

Water softening device and method for regeneration control thereof

Abstract: There is provided a water softening device and a method for regeneration control thereof, in which the hardness of feedwater to be softened is detected with the lapse of time and regeneration timing is controlled based on the detected value. The invention includes inlet hardness measurement means for measuring hardness of feedwater to a water softener, treated water quantity measurement means for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through the water softener, brine concentration detection means for detecting concentration of brine in regenerating operation, and brine consumption detection means for detecting consumption of brine in regenerating operation. Further, there are included hardness leakage detection means for measuring hardness of treated water after passing through the water softener and detecting hardness leakage.

Production of ultra pure salt

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and installations for producing ultra pure sodium chloride salt crystals primarily for use in saturating depleted brine resulting from the electrolytic decomposition of saturated brine in chlor alkali membrane cells for the production of chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to the production of ultra pure sodium chloride salt crystals by processing primary treated brine by first acidifying the primary treated brine, then stripping the carbonic acid produced by acidification as carbon dioxide, and then returning the brine to a pH of about 6 or higher which is sufficient for processing it in evaporation equipment where the ultra pure salt crystals are produced.

A process and apparatus for brine reformation

Abstract: The present application relates to a reformation process of brine solution formed following loading of the ion-exchange resin used for water softening The cyclic, continuous process for brine reformation comprising the steps: (I) a brine solution containing bivalent cations, in particular calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese ions, is transferred to a Hardness Precipitation System (Station 1) in which, at a suitable pH, same cations are removed as carbonate and/or sulphate salts, in a precipitation form, resulting in a semi-reformed brine solution containing sodium chloride in a typical concentration of 1 % to 2 % by weight; said semi-reformed brine solution is optionally subjected to a pH adjustment step (Station 2); (II) following said optionally pH adjustment the semi-reformed brine solution is transferred to a Reverse Osmosis System (Station 3) in which an increase of NaCl concentration is accomplished, providing a reformed brine solution suitable for regenerating an ion-exchange resin applicable in water softening process; (III) Applying the reformed brine solution in regeneration of an ion-exchange resin

Electrochemical behaviour of low carbon steel in concentrated carbonate chloride brines

Abstract: The polarization curves of low carbon steel in deaerated carbonate bicarbonate buffers (pH 10.3) show three distinct regions: (a) an active region characterized by a Tafel slope of 125 ± 5 mV which is independent of the chloride concentration, (b) a gradual active to passive transition, and (c) a broad passive region. The addition of NaCl has a stronger effect on the passive than on the active region. For NaCl concentrations of 0.1 to 2 M, NaCl has only a small promoting effect (a reaction order of 0.1) on the anodic dissolution of the steel in the active region. Measurements of electrochemical impedance under free corrosion conditions confirm the above findings. The results are explained in terms of the more favourable formation of an iron hydroxy-carbonate complex (called green rust carbonate) than the formation of the corresponding green rust chloride complex. Passivity is attributed to the formation of a protective film containing both FeOOH and Fe2O3. It deteriorates with increasing chloride concentration and potential and improves with increase of buffer concentration. Evidence is also presented for metastable pitting, particularly in the presence of the lower chloride concentration, for example, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 M NaCl.

Method and system for generating hypochlorite

Abstract: In a method for producing sodium hypochlorite, brine solution is piped from the brine tank to a first inlet in a first electrolyzer cell of an electrolyzer assembly while simultaneously piping chilled water from a chiller having a temperature range from about 10 °C to about 25 °C to the first inlet so that the brine solution combines with the chilled water. The chilled brine solution is electrolyzed in the first electrolyzer cell. The hypochlorite and brine solution resulting from electrolysis occurring in the first cell is piped to a second inlet in a second electrolyzer cell in the electrolyzer assembly while simultaneously piping chilled water from the chiller having a temperature range from about 10 °C to about 25 °C to the second inlet so that the chilled water combines with the hypochlorite and brine solution. The chilled hypochlorite and brine solution are electrolyzed in the second cell. The process is repeated until the hypochlorite and brine solution passes through all cells of the electrolyzer assembly.

Performance of the once-through multistage flash desalination process:

Abstract: The brine circulation multistage flash desalination process (MSF) dominates the thermal desalination market, while the once-through multistage flash desalination process (MSF-OT) remains to be found on a limited scale. This is because the MSF-OT process has no control on the temperature of the feed sea water. For non-equatorial regions, where the sea water temperature drops to 5 — 15°C during winter operation, the MSF-OT performance deteriorates unless the volume of the low-temperature stages is drastically increased to allow for reduction in the brine reject temperature to lower values. Another approach to solving this problem is to use the brine mixing (MSF-M) technique to control the feed sea water temperature. Irrespective of this, the MSF-OT process should be considered the optimum choice for large-scale thermal desalination in equatorial regions, where the sea water temperature remains constant throughout the year at 28°C. This study focuses on design and performance features of the MSF-OT p...

Method of boron removal in presence of magnesium ions

Abstract: A method of boron removal from saline water containing boron and magnesium salts including a multi-stage reverse-osmosis (RO) separation process and comprising the steps of a first stage RO separation (34) at pH 9 and the brine (42) concentration is limited to a degree preventing Mg(OH)2 scaling on RO membrane surfaces, the permeate (48) constitutes product water, and the brine (42) contains boron and magnesium ions; the third stage separation (50) is carried at weak-acid pH, whereby the bulk of said magnesium ions are separated with the brine (56), while the bulk of said boron ions are retained in the permeate (58). The method further comprises a fourth stage of separation (66) over the third-stage permeate (58), where the bulk of said boron ions is separated from said third-stage permeate (58), and the permeate (70) of the fourth stage (66) constitutes product water with low boron content.

Thermally insulating fluid

Abstract: A thermally insulating fluid composition comprising a glycol solvent for a viscosifier, a viscosifier, and optionally, an aqueous brine. The glycol may be selected from a propylene glycol, or under excessive heat temperatures, a butylene glycol, which can be used with or without a viscosifier. Viscosifiers can be selected from hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, xanthan and hydroxy propyl guar and combinations thereof. In one method of producing the thermally insulating composition, a viscosifier is added to an aqueous brine, water is then added to that solution followed by the addition of dry salt of the brine to increase density if necessary. A propylene glycol solvent is added to the resulting solution. The thermally insulating fluid composition insulates substances stored or transported in multi-walled vessels, tanks, piping and thermal units. A method of applying the insulating fluid composition of this invention comprising the steps of injecting the thermally insulating fluid into the cavity formed by two adjacent walls of the vessel or piping and then sealing off the opening.

Continuous formation of slurry ice by cooling water–oil emulsion in a tube

Abstract: Water-silicone oil emulsion with an additive, (C 2 H 5 O) 3 SiC 3 H 6 NH 2 , was examined as a heat storage material. A spiral tube used as a heat exchanger was immersed in a low temperature bath and the emulsion was circulated in the tube to make ice continuously. Ice was separated from the ice–liquid suspension in an outlet tank. The amount of formed ice, the temperatures of the inlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger, and the temperatures in the tube wall were measured and the overall heat transfer coefficient and the heat flux through the tube were calculated. Experiments were carried out, varying the flow rate, the temperature of cooling brine, and the thickness of tube wall. The condition under which slurry ice was formed continuously without adhesion of ice to the cooling wall was clarified. Though decrease in the thermal resistance of the tube increased the rate of ice formation or raised the brine temperature, it narrowed the range of the flow rate and of the brine temperature in which slurry ice was formed continuously.

Automatic salt level monitor for a water softening device

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic monitor (10) for use in a tank (16) with a watersoluble sodium salt(14).The monitor ( 10) includes a signal emitter (38) that produces a signal capable of being detected by an array of signal-detecting sensors (40). The sensors (40) are displaced generally vertically in the brine tank (16) from the minimum depth of the sodium salt (14) to the maximum depth of the sodium salt (14). An output is produced in response to said signal. The monitor (10) also includes a controller (42) for receiving and interpreting the output and determining if a low brine condition is present as the supply of the sodium salt (14) brine is depleted. An indicator (44) warns when a low salt condition is present. Preferably, the sensors (40) are linearly spaced within the tank (16).

Measuring oxidant species in ELECTROLYZED salt brine solutions

Abstract: The electrolysis of salt brine solutions by onsite generators produces chlorine (free available chlorine [FAC = Cl 2 , HOCI, and OCI-]) at concentrations ranging from 200 to 1,000 mg/L. There is some speculation that the electrolysis of salt brine also produces chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ). The analytical methods frequently cited for measuring ClO 2 and O 3 in anolyte liquors following salt brine electrolysis are the DPD and indigotrisulfonate methods. These analytical procedures are routinely used to measure drinking water residuals in finished water. However, when used for measuring components in electrolysis cell liquors, false-positive results are observed.

Method for utilizing regenerated waste from water softeners used for steam flood operations

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating the waste brine generated by the regeneration step in a water softener system and for recovering the treated waste brine so that it can be utilized as the regeneration feed for the water softener regeneration step thereby, requiring substantially lesser amounts of fresh salt

Surfactant compositions for well cleaning

Abstract: A surfactant composition for use in well treatment, particularly for removing oil-based mud deposits from a well prior to cementing, comprises an alkylpolyglucoside in a solution of a mutual solvent for water and hydrocarbon The composition can be used to formulate a chemical wash by dissolving the composition at a concentration of about 1%-10% (eg 5%) by weight in water or brine

Removal of Silica from Geothermal Brine

Abstract: The problem of removing silica from geothermal brine is considered. The colloidal and chemical properties of the brine are studied. Silica precipitation by electrocoagulation is described, and the process parameters are optimized. Factors in the profitability of the multipurpose utilization of the hydrothermal heat carrier are discussed.

Process for producing lithium concentrate from brine or seawater

Abstract: Two concentration techniques, adsorption and electrodialysis, are combined to enrich lithium ions in brine from a level of several ppm to about 1.5%. At beginning brine is subjected to an adsorption, so that Li content is increased to 1200-1500 ppm, followed by two stages of electrodialysis in series to increase Li ions to about 1.5%. Li depleted solution from the second stage of electrodialysis having a Li content of 1200-1500 ppm is recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted water from the first stage of electrodialysis is subjected to a residue recovery electrodialysis to form a Li enriched solution of 1200-1500 ppm, which is also recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted solution from the residue recovery electrodialysis is recycled as a feed of the adsorption, so as to sufficiently recover Li ions from brine.

The effects of rock and fluids characteristics on reservoir wettability

Abstract: ................................................................................................. ....xiv CHAPTER

Water treatment plant for producing drinking water

Abstract: A water treatment assembly (1) renders impure water suitable for drinking. The assembly has a raw water inlet and a multi-stage filter unit with an outlet for treated water. The water is driven through the assembly by a combination of suction and pressure pumps. The assembly has a diaphragm reactor cell (23) which generates catholytic cleaning and anolytic disinfection fluids. After the first filtration stage (2), the raw water is treated at a dosing station (6) with the catholytic solution generated by the cell (23). After the second filtrations stage (7) the water is treated with acid anolytic solution generated by the cell (23). The assembly (1) incorporates a mixer container (19) in which the water is treated in contra-flow with saturated brine from a brine tank (22). The reactor (26) consists essentially of a cathode (27), an anode (28) and a diaphragm (29) membrane which is fed with a mixture of brine (NaCl) and water (H2O) from two hermetically discrete chambers (30, 31).

Method of producing lithium hydroxide from brines and plant for method embodiment

Abstract: FIELD: lithium hydrometallurgy; applicable in production of lithium compounds from natural brines. SUBSTANCE: lithium from natural brines is recovered with the help of sorption-desorption column by selective sorption of lithium chloride on inorganic aluminum-containing sorbent LiCl.2Al(OH)3.mH2O with its subsequent desorption by desalinized solution of lithium chloride. Content of impurities in the form of magnesium and calcium chlorides in obtained eluate - solution of lithium chloride is not more 0.5 g/l that is lower by a factor of 100-1000 than their concentration in initial brine. Eluate is subjected to ion-exchange on Li-cationite that reduced content of said impurities to 0.001-0.003 g/l. Purified eluate is used for conversion of LiCl into LiOH on plant consisting of electrolyzer-converter and electrodialyzer-desalinizer that makes it possible to obtain solution of lithium hydroxide with content of LiOH up to 80-120 g/l and to return desalinized solution of LiCl to process of lithium desorption. Technical result consists in reduction of content of chloride impurities in commercial monohydrate of lithium hydroxide not more 0.003%. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 9 cl, 4 dwg

Multi-functional hot-water supply unit

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently heat supply hot-water and a brine. SOLUTION: This supply unit is constituted of an intermediate-pressure coolant circuit R1 for distributing a refrigerant compressed to intermediate-pressure in an intermediate-pressure compressing part 2a to two directions by a refrigerant distributing valve 3 to be returned to a refrigerant-air heat-exchanger 9 after heating the brine to an intermediate temperature passing through a brine-heating heat-exchanger 4, and a high-pressure refrigerant circuit R2 wherein the refrigerant is compressed to high pressure in a high-pressure compression part 2b, and wherein the refrigerant is pressure-reduced to the intermediate pressure by a high-pressure pressure reducing means 8b to be joined to the intermediate-pressure refrigerant circuit R1 after heating the supply hot-water to a high temperature passing a refrigerant-water heat exchanger 6. By this manner, pressure and a temperature are elevated up to a refrigerant temperature required for heating the brine to a required temperature in the intermediate- pressure compressing part 2a, and pressure and a temperature are elevated up to a refrigerant temperature required for heating the supply hot-water from the intermediate pressure to a required temperature in the high-pressure compressing part 2b. The supply hot-water heating and the brine heating are conducted efficiently by regulating capacities of the both compression parts 2a, 2b and the refrigerant distributing valve 3. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Electrolyte composition for electrolysis of brine, method for electrolysis of brine, and sodium hydroxide prepared therefrom

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte composition for electrolysis of brine, a method for electrolysis of brine, and sodium hydroxide prepared therefrom, and particularly to an electrolyte composition for electrolysis of brine, a method for electrolysis of brine comprising injecting brine and pure water respectively to a cation chamber and an anion chamber divided by a separation membrane installed in an electrolytic cell through a brine injection tube and a pure water injection tube, and applying a power source to an anode plate and a cathode plate installed in the cation chamber and anion chamber to separate produced chloride gas, hydrogen gas, and a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution characterized in that an aqueous solution of a platinum compound is injected into the anion chamber through the pure water injection tube, and sodium hydroxide prepared therefrom.

Brine cooling apparatus

Abstract: A brine cooling apparatus is provided which addresses an environmental problem by not contributing to global warming and can prevent brine from freezing within a heat exchanger. The apparatus is structured such that a screw compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve and an evaporator are connected by a pipe so as to cool brine flowing through the evaporator. The refrigerant is an ammonia refrigerant, the evaporator is a plate type heat exchanger constructed by laying a plural sheets of plates, and capacity control means is provided in such a manner as to control a capacity of the screw compressor in accordance with the flow amount of the brine.

Method of purifying brine

Abstract: A method of purifying gluconate-containing brine is described which comprises first removing transition metal cations and other impurities by passage of the brine through a first ion exchange resin. The brine is then passed through a second ion exchange resin to effect removal of alkaline earth metal cations. In a third step the brine is treated with a carbonaceous adsorbent to remove impurities introduced by the ion exchange resins, as well as to effect removal of quaternary ammonium salts such as chloromethyl triethylammonium chloride. Methods for the regeneration of the carbonaceous adsorbent are described.

An air conditioning system

Abstract: The invention provides an air conditioning system for an environment (2) within an enclosure (4), the system including an air/water cooling tower (6) in fluid flow communication, via a heat exchanger (10), with a brine/air heat exchanger (8), and a brine regenerator (16) in fluid flow communication with the brine/air heat exchanger (8), the brine/air heat exchanger (8) having an air outlet to the enclosure (4) and an air inlet.

Multi-functional water heater

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-functional water heater capable of simultaneously feeding hot water with different temperatures SOLUTION: This multi-functional water heater comprises an electric heat pump unit 11 for heating hot water stored in a hot water storage tank 12, combustion type heating devices 25 and 30 for heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 12, a brine heating heat exchanger 40 for exchanging heat with the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 12, a hot water feed route 22 for feeding the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 12 to first equipment 37 and 39, and a brine feed route 41 for feeding brine heated by the brine heating heat exchanger 40 to second equipment 49 and 52 COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO