Showing papers on "Brine published in 2007"

Direct Contact Membrane Distillation-Based Desalination: Novel Membranes, Devices, Larger-Scale Studies, and a Model

Abstract: We report here direct contact membrane distillation results from modules having 0.28 m2 of membrane surface area employing porous hydrophobic polypropylene hollow fibers of internal diameter (330 μm) and wall thickness (150 μm) with a porous fluorosilicone coating on the outside surface. The brine salt concentration and temperature and the distillate temperature and velocity were varied. Water vapor fluxes approach values obtained earlier in much smaller modules. As the brine temperature was increased from 40 to 92 °C, water vapor flux increased almost exponentially. Increasing the distillate temperature to 60 from 32 °C yielded reasonable fluxes. Salt concentration increases to 10% led to a small flux reduction. An extended 5-day run did not show any pore wetting. A model using the mass transfer coefficient km as an adjustable parameter predicted the brine temperature drop, distillate temperature rise, and water vapor flux well for the large module and the smaller module of 119-cm2 surface area.

Design for Cascade of Crossflow Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Abstract: The use of crossflow direct contact membrane distillation (XF-DCMD) modules allows lower velocities and volumetric flows on the brine side while still maintaining good heat-transfer coefficients. The key to using these modules in energy-efficient processes requires that the heat be recovered from the hot distillate exit stream with close temperatures of approach. This is best accomplished in a cascade of crossflow modules arranged in a manner approaching the behavior of countercurrent DCMD modules. A short-cut design method is presented to determine the number of such identical modules needed to extract maximum heat recovery between an inlet and exit brine temperature. This method is dependent on two observations: (1) existence of a unique relationship between brine temperature drop across a stage (ΔTstage) and the temperature of closest approach between brine and distillate streams at the top of the stage (ΔTend), which defines an operating line; (2) ΔTend remains relatively constant from stage to stage...

The use of bromide and chloride mass ratios to differentiate salt-dissolution and formation brines in shallow groundwaters of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin

Abstract: In the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the petroleum industry handles two geochemically distinctive brines that are traceable in the environment: formation brines extracted along with hydrocarbons from the basin, and salt-dissolution brines, produced by dissolving deep halite formations to create caverns for petroleum product storage. The concentrations of the conservative ions chloride (Cl) and bromide (Br) in many formation brines plot closely to the seawater evaporation trajectory of previous studies. These brines contain Cl/Br mass ratios of around 300, while salt-dissolution brines are relatively Br depleted, having Cl/Br mass ratios in excess of 20,000. An oilfield site in central Alberta had experienced nearby releases of both salt-dissolution and formation brines. Geochemical mixing trends were defined by theoretically mixing samples of local salt-dissolution and formation brine sources with background shallow groundwater. Most site monitoring wells and local surface water samples plotted directly on a salt-dissolution brine dilution trend, while results from four monitoring wells, all located directly downgradient of formation brine spills, suggested the mixing of formation brines into shallow groundwater. This work indicates that there is a large-scale salt-dissolution brine plume beneath the site and reinforces the use of Cl and Br concentrations and mass ratios as environmental tracers.

Evaluation for biological reduction of nitrate and perchlorate in brine water using the hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor

Abstract: Whereas ion exchange is an attractive technology for treating perchlorate and nitrate in drinking water, a major disadvantage is that the resin must be regenerated using a brine, producing wastes with high concentrations of nitrate, perchlorate, and salt. This study investigates the potential for simultaneous nitrate and perchlorate reductions in high-salt conditions using the H2 -based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). The autotrophic biological reductions produce harmless N2 and Cl− , making the brine safe for reuse or disposal. A very high-strength brine ( ∼15% salt) from a commercial ion-exchange membrane, Purolite, supported biofilm accumulation and allowed slow reduction rates for nitrate and perchlorate. Reduction rates increased significantly when the Purolite brine was diluted by 50% or more. A synthetic high-strength salt medium containing nitrate, perchlorate, or both supported more rapid reduction rates for as high as 20 g∕L (∼2%) NaCl , while 40 g∕L NaCl slowed reduction by 40% or more, confir...

Method for handling saline water and carbon dioxide

Abstract: There is disclosed at method for conducting a reaction, which is characterised in that carbon dioxide is combined with an alkaline solution based on ammonia, for the formation of ammonium bicarbonates, said bicarbonates being further reacted with a saline comprising solution, forming products of alkaline metal bicarbonate and ammonium chloride, and said ammonium chloride product is processed further in a decomposition to form ammonia and hydro chloric acid, and said ammonia chloride is returned to the first step forming said alkaline solution with water, while the alkaline metal bicarbonate is optionally further decomposed into carbon dioxide which is returned to the first step of the method. According to another aspect, the invention is used for handling of brine water originating from a desalination plant, for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas, such as related to power plants or other industrial activities. Preferably the method is used in a combined process for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas and desalination of water.

Novel Polybenzimidazole (PBI) Nanofiltration Membranes for the Separation of Sulfate and Chromate from High Alkalinity Brine To Facilitate the Chlor-Alkali Process

Abstract: The potential of employing nanofiltration for the removal of sulfate from concentrated chlor-alkali brine has been investigated. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) was chosen to fabricate nanofiltration hollow-fiber membranes through the dry-jet wet phase-inversion technique because of its robust mechanical strength and excellent chemical stability. The feed solution was a concentrated brine consisting of 253.3 g L-1 NaCl, 9.7 g L-1 Na2SO4, and 9.5 g L-1 Na2CrO4 with a pH value greater than 12.65. The PBI membranes showed high sulfate rejection (up to 98.4% at pH 13.25 and 25 bar) and low chloride rejection (less than 4.0%), thus simultaneously obtaining an extremely high di-/monovalent anion selectivity. In addition, the sulfate and chromate rejections increased with increasing solution pH and/or operating pressure. The impressive separation performance can be attributed to the unique pore and charge characteristics and superior chemical stability of PBI NF membranes. It was found that the mean effective pore size ...

Divalent Cation Addition (Ca2+ or Mg2+) Stabilizes Biological Treatment of Perchlorate and Nitrate In Ion-Exchange Spent Brine

Abstract: Anaerobic cultures capable of reducing both perchlorate and nitrate simultaneously in a 3 or 6% NaCl synthetic media were tested for their ability to remove perchlorate and nitrate in actual ion-ex...

Scaling inhibitors and method for using the same in high density brines

Abstract: A formulation containing a copolymer derived from a cationic monomer effectively inhibits and controls the formation of inorganic scales. The formulation has particular application in the removal of zinc sulfide and iron sulfide scales formed when zinc bromide brines are used as completion fluids. The copolymer exhibit high solubility in high-density brines, such as zinc bromide brines. The polymers may be introduced into an oil or gas well as a portion of a carrier fluid or with brine. The preferred copolymer for use in the invention contains an acrylamide unit and a diallyldimethylammonium salt and, optionally, an acrylic acid or a salt thereof. The weight average molecular weight of such inhibitor copolymers is generally between from about 500,000 to about 5,000,000.

Operating Conditions for Lithium Recovery from Natural Brines

Abstract: Lithium recovery from natural brine incontestably requires the optimization of the parameters which influence such a process This process consists of trapping lithium ions by a gel of aluminum hydroxide prepared under the action of a strong base Studied parameters are molar ratio [Al]/[Li], stirring time, reaction temperature and apparent pH A systematic study was carried out varying only one parameter at a time This procedure makes it possible to fix the studied parameters in order to recover maximum Li+ This work is done first on synthetic brines, and then it was considered convenient to check the obtained result using natural brine and an equivalent synthetic brine Some differences related to lithium yield are established between the two considered brines This is due in our opinion to the impurities contained in the natural brine, especially magnesium and boron

Velocity and resistivity changes during freeze-thaw cycles in Berea sandstone

Abstract: We report on simultaneous measurements of resistivity, compressional ( Vp ) , and shear ( Vs ) velocities made during the temperature cycling of Berea sandstone while at elevated pressure. Temperatures were cycled through the freezing point of the saturating brine. The responses of resistivity and velocities are in phase but are asymmetrical as the brine freezes and thaws. Limited freezing causes no discernible damage to the core. Free water is present below the nominal freezing point of the brine. Vp , Vs , and resistivity change by 16%, 24%, and 500%, respectively, over the temperature range of −4°C to +6°C at 6.9 MPa confining pressure.

Well Treatment Fluids Containing Nanoparticles and Methods of Using Same

Abstract: An aqueous-based well treatment fluid containing an additive having a median particle size less than 1 micron is suitable for use in a wide variety of well treatment applications including use as a drill-in fluid, thermal insulating fluid, spacer or fluid loss control additive. The fluid may consist of a high density brine. The additive is capable of viscosifying the water or brine. Viscosification of the water or brine may occur in the substantial absence of a polymeric viscosifying agent.

Acidic internal breaker for viscoelastic surfactant fluids in brine

Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger.

Method for Treating a Hydrocarbon Formation

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation having brine, the method comprising: contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation with a fluid, wherein the fluid at least one of at least partially solubilizes or at least partially displaces the brine in the hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation; and subsequently contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation with a composition, the composition comprising: a nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant, and solvent, wherein when the composition is contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation, the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant has a cloud point that is above the temperature of the hydrocarbon-bearing clastic formation.

Vacuum salt producing technique of salt-field saturated bittern direct ingress into evaporation tank

Abstract: The invention discloses a vacuum preparing salt craft through leading salt-field saturated brine into evaporation tank in the sea-salt area, which comprises the following steps: pumping saturated brine into calorifier through brine pump; preheating; leading into evaporation tank; leading the vapor into heating room through separate cylinder; setting steam pressure at 0.3-0.4MPa; adopting green steam to heat in the heating room of effect evaporation tank; making the indirect steam through evaporating feed liquid as heat source of the next effect evaporation tank; making the indirect steam of II effect, III effect evaporation tank as the same; leading indirect steam of o¶ effect evaporation tank into mixing condenser; making salt grout generated by evaporating feed liquid through third washing; drying anticentripetally; drying; packing; getting product.

Ammonium removal system including an electrophysical separation system

Abstract: An ammonium removal system includes an ion-exchange medium, a brine source, and an electrophysical separation system. The ion-exchange medium may be used to remove ammonium from a waste stream. A brine may be flushed through the ion-exchange medium to remove the ammonium from the ion-exchange medium. The ammonium containing brine may be treated using an electrophysical separation system.

Coupling between mass transfer and chemical reactions during the absorption of CO2 in a NaHCO3-Na2CO3 brine : experimental and theoretical study

Abstract: A key step of the refined sodium bicarbonate (BIR) production by the Solvay process consists in the gas-liquid mass transfer of CO2 from a gaseous mixture of CO2 and air to a NaHCO3-Na2CO3 brine. This transfer takes place in 20-m high and 2.5-m wide bubbles columns (the BIR columns). The gas phase leaving the columns still contains an important quantity of CO2 (molar fraction close to 0.2). It causes a huge CO2 emission to the atmosphere (the equivalent of 150 Smarts driving at 100 km/h, for a single column). Several chemical reactions take place during the CO2 absorption in the liquid. These reactions modify (accelerate) the gas-liquid mass transfer rate. This work aims to reach a fundamental understanding of the coupling between the gas-liquid transfer of CO2 and the resulting chemical reactions in the liquid phase. A mathematical modelling of this coupling is first developed. The equations of the model are solved numerically, using Femlab. This model is validated against experimental results. Two different approaches are followed. First, a stirred tank reactor is filled with a NaHCO3-Na2CO3 brine and pure CO2 bubbles are dispersed through the liquid. The dissolved CO2 concentration and pH are measured against time. The diffusion-reaction model is incorporated into a model of the stirred tank reactor, developed with Matlab. Experimental results are compared to the simulations of this model. On the other hand, an original experimental device is set up. A NaHCO3-Na2CO3 brine is put in contact with gaseous CO2 in a Hele-Shaw cell (small gap between two transparent plates). The time evolution of the CO2 concentration profile in the liquid phase near the gas-liquid interface is followed using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The developed and validated diffusion-reaction model will be used in a close future in order to optimize the CO2 transfer in the BIR columns. As a direct consequence of this optimization, the CO2 emission of the BIR production will hopefully be reduced.

Fluid Temperature and Salinity Characteristics of the Matagami Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide District, Quebec

Abstract: Fluid inclusions hosted within various lithologic units of the >40 million metric ton (Mt) Matagami district, Abitibi greenstone belt, preserve samples of Archean volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and postvolcanogenic massive sulfide hydrothermal fluid. Microthermometric measurements on ore-hosted primary two-phase liquid-vapor inclusions from Matagami’s south limb deposits indicate that the VMS hydrothermal fluid was highly saline (16.2 ± 4.7 wt % NaCl-CaCl2 equiv, 1σ, n = 230) and of moderate temperature (trapping temperature, Tt = 208° ± 32°C, 1σ, n = 230). A fluid with these characteristics is capable of transporting ~5 × 10−4 m (30 ppm) Zn as ZnCl3 − and ZnCl4 2− chloride complexes. However, the low temperature of this fluid precluded efficient Cu transport (≤ 3 ppm), which may in part explain the relatively Cu poor nature of the Matagami deposits. Calculated densities of this ore fluid as high as 1.10 g/cm3 are consistent with a bottom-hugging brine model. However, a subset of the data indicate a fluid less dense than ambient seawater, suggesting that buoyant hydrothermal plumes were also present. A microthermometrically determined high CaCl2 content (XNaCl <0.55, molar Na/Ca = 2.3/1) for the VMS ore-hosted primary fluid is consistent with an Archean hydrothermal fluid more Ca-rich than modern-day seawater. Quartz-epidote veins located in the hydrothermal cracking zone of the Bell River Complex host primary liquid-vapor-halite inclusions. These inclusions are interpreted to be samples of the deep-seated equivalent to the VMS ore-hosted hydrothermal fluid described above. Microthermometry indicates that these inclusions trapped a high-temperature brine (Tt = 373° ± 44°C, 1σ , n = 92; 38.2 ± 1.9 wt % NaCl equiv, 1σ , n = 92). We interpret this brine to be a phase-separated product of (modified) model seawater (3.2 wt % NaCl), an exsolved magmatic fluid, or a combination thereof, deep within the hydrothermal system at 650° to 670°C and a near-lithostatic pressure of 90 MPa. Phase separation and subsequent convection lowered the temperature of the brine prior to its entrapment within the hydrothermal cracking zone. The occurrence of high-temperature brine overlain by lower temperature/salinity fluid suggests a two-cell convection model, consistent with metal mass-balance calculations for the south limb. The high salinity of the ore-hosted fluid inclusions indicates two possibilities: (1) a significant amount of brine was incorporated into the upper cell and mixed with heated seawater during convection; (2) Archean seawater itself was very saline and of variable salinity. With the cooling of the Bell River Complex, lower temperature fluids, dominantly of seawater origin, circulated deep within the hydrothermal system. Modified by water-rock interaction, yet not phase separated, these fluids sealed off the remnant permeability of the fracture network of the hydrothermal cracking zone and were locally trapped as secondary liquid-vapor fluid inclusions (homogenization temperature, Th = 242° ± 17°C; 9.1 ± 1.6 wt % NaCl equiv, 1σ , n = 14) hosted within the Bell River Complex quartz-epidote vein material. Post- and/or waning-stage VMS hydrothermal activity is evident from the presence of quartz-epidote veins crosscutting Wabassee Group hanging-wall rocks. Microthermometry on quartz-hosted primary liquid-vapor fluid inclusions suggests that this activity occurred at relatively low temperatures (Th = 76°–177°C, n = 212), over a wide range of salinity (6.0–32.4 wt % NaCl-CaCl2 equiv, n = 212), and with a high apparent CaCl2 content (XNaCl <0.06). These fluid inclusion data illustrate the importance of subsea-floor chemical and physical processes directly related to metal transport and deposition in VMS systems. In particular, phase separation deep within the hydrothermal system is interpreted as a key process for generating saline brines capable of forming significant ore deposits.

Formation of intermediate micellar phase between hexagonal and discontinuous cubic liquid crystals in brine/N-acylamino acid surfactant/N-acylamino acid oil system

Abstract: The phase behavior in the brine/sodium N-dodecanoyl sarcosinate (Sar)/isopropyl N-dodecanoyl sarcosinate (SLIP) system has been investigated by means of phase study, static light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The liquid crystal phases, hexagonal (H(1)) and discontinuous cubic (I(1)), melt upon the addition of NaCl, which shows the similar effect to the increasing of temperature. The addition of SLIP to the brine/Sar solution at high Sar concentration induces the phase transition from H(1) to I(1) via the isotropic micellar solution (W(m2)). The micellar structure in the W(m2) phase also changes from the wormlike to the globular micelle with SLIP concentration. Adding NaCl reduces the repulsive force between the Sar head groups and simultaneously the space of the solubilized SLIP in the palisade layer, leading SLIP to shift their location further into the micelle core. As a consequence, the hexagonal symmetry breaks into the micelle solution and the liquid crystal order is destabilized entropically.

Dependence of CO2-Brine Interfacial Tension on Aquifer Pressure, Temperature and Water Salinity

Abstract: The displacement of brine by CO2 during CO2 injection and migration, and the displacement of CO2 by invading brine in the wake of migrating CO2 depend on the interfacial tension of the CO2-brine system. An extensive laboratory program was conducted for the measurement of the interfacial tension (IFT) between CO2 and water or brine covering the ranges of 2 to 27 MPa pressure, 36 ∘C to 125 ∘C temperature, and 0 to 334,000 mg/l water salinity. The laboratory experiments were conducted using the pendant drop method combined with the solution of the Laplace equation for capillarity for the profile of the brine drop in the CO2-rich environment. The analysis of the results reveals that: (1) for conditions of constant temperature and water salinity, IFT decreases steeply with increasing pressure in the range P P c , and mildly for P > P c , with an asymptotic trend towards a constant value for high pressures; (2) for the same conditions of constant pressure and temperature, IFT increases with increasing water salinity, reflecting decreasing CO2 solubility in brine as salinity increases; (3) IFT increases with increasing temperature for T > T c , with an asymptotic trend towards a constant value for high temperatures. These results indicate that, in the case of CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers, trapping of CO2 at irreducible saturation, storage efficiency and safety, and the evolution of the plume of injected CO2 depend on the in-situ conditions of pressure, temperature and water salinity through the effects that these primary variables have on the IFT between CO2 and aquifer brine. In addition, it was found that the IFT of CO2-brine systems correlates well with CO2 solubility in brine, which also depends on the same primary variables of pressure, temperature and water salinity.

The theory of recovering salt from sea‐water by solar evaporation

Abstract: A theory is developed for the production of salt by the evaporation of sea-water. The theory leads to simultaneous differential equations, solutions of which were evaluated on a differential analyser, for both steady-state and transient conditions. The steady-state solutions provide data which can be used in the design of a saltfield, particularly in the determination of the ‘concentrating’ area required to provide an adequate supply of concentrated brine to feed the ‘crystallizing’ area from which the salt is ultimately recovered. The transient solutions show the behaviour of the saltfield after flooding with fresh brine, and also after a sudden change is made in the rate of flow through the system. The latter studies are of interest from the operating, rather than design, point of view.

Leachate Characteristics of Ash Residues from a Laboratory-Scale Brine Encapsulation Simulation Process

Abstract: Sasol, a global petrochemical player uses large quantities of coal, steam and oxygen as feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. Inevitably, large amounts of waste products are generated such as coal combustion residues (ash) via coal gasification as well as brines via demineralization, desalination and evaporation processes. Sasol Technology Research and Development is currently investigating the concept of brine (high strength inorganic salt solutions) encapsulation with the use of coal gasification ash. The process will involve reacting inorganic salts with the coal mineral matter under thermal conditions to form stable compounds, potentially resulting in an environmentally safe brine disposal option. Laboratory-scale experiments investigated brine addition at 3.5% (m/m) and 29% (m/m) to coarse gasification coal ash (with and without CaO addition). These samples were sintered at 700 °C for 30 or 60 mins. Selected ash residues from laboratory-scale brine gasification simulations were subjected to water leaching tests to determine the leachate properties, the extent of salt stabilisation achieved as well as the influence that CaO addition on inorganic salts encapsulation. The results of this study indicated that some of the ionic species in the brine were encapsulated and the addition of CaO improved stabilization.

Hydroelectric power and desalination

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing electrical power, desalinated water, and/or salt are provided. The system can include one or more first turbines in fluid communication with a body of salt water; one or more boilers for heating the salt water to provide steam and brine; and one or more second turbines in fluid communication with the steam for producing the electrical power.