Brine Purification Research Articles

Research and development on heat pump systems in Mexico using geothermal energy

Extensive research and development work on heat pumps operating on geothermal and waste energy has been carried out by Instituto de Investigaciones Electricas, Mexico. Systems include (i) mechanical compression; (ii) absorption – one- and two-stage and double absorption; (iii) heat transformers, and (iv) hybrid, heat pump systems. Specific work and results are described on three applications: (a) a mechanical compression heat pump commissioned for brine purification and operating on low-pressure geothermal steam in Los Azufres geothermal field; (b) a cooling and refrigeration ammonia/water absorption heat pump operating on low-enthalpy geothermal energy and tested in Los Azufres and Cerro Prieto geothermal fields, and (c) an absorption heat transformer tested extensively to evaluate the performance of ternary solutions as working fluids.

Neutron activation analysis of sea-, lake-, and evaporated salt

Salt is essential for human nutrition. Recently, it has become popular in Europe to rather use exotic sea salt or lake salt instead of purified evaporated salt, because of an alleged higher content of trace elements. In this study the content of trace elements and their bioavailability of 19 samples of different types of salt and 1 sample of brine purification sludge were investigated using instrumental neutron activation analysis. In general, sea-, lake-, and evaporated salt are quite pure. Trace elements determined in salt were Al, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Rb, Sc, Sr, and Zn; some of them only in individual cases. It was found that, in general, the content of trace elements in sea-or lake salt was higher than in purified salt. Nevertheless, the use of sea-or lake salt does not contribute significantly to the human needs of essential trace elements, because their concentration in salt is too low or their compounds are not bioavailable.

Split-precipitation — An ecological alternative in the purification of crude sodium chloride brine

Due to the impurities of rock salt, crude sodium chloride brine requires purification. Only purified brine is capable to be used in modern evaporators or for the production of soda ash in a Solvay process. The brine purification process causes the onset of solid precipitates in the form of sludge. If this mud cannot be made use of in any way, it is washed into waters where it covers the ground and accumulates over years and decades. A novel brine purification process, Split-Precipitation, helps significantly reduce the amount of solids in the sludge (by about 30 wt%). The principal idea of Split-Precipitation is to initially precipitate Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions using soda ash and to work up the carbonates at the end with gypsum. This process does not require many additional expenses, but combines several ecological advantages.

Cleaner production in the ammonia–soda industry: an ecological and economic study

Five methods to reduce the negative influence of soda ash factories on the natural environment are presented: 1. obtaining calcium–magnesium phosphates by treating the suspension from raw brine purification with orthophosphoric acid (H 3PO 4), 2. production of precipitated chalk from soda processing waste, 3. production of gypsum and semi-brine, 4. desulphurisation of fume gases from the factory power plant, 5. utilization of distiller waste. The tests, accomplished on a laboratory scale, showed the high efficiency of these methods. Economic analysis has proved that only four out of the five presented processes can have a positive financial effect on soda ash factories, as well as being well justified economically. The value of two of the innovations presented is confirmed by their implementation in factories.

Stabilization of high mercury contaminated brine purification sludge

The highly leachable mercury contaminants of brine purification sludge (BPS) generated from the Hg-cell electrolysis process in chlorine production can be stabilized in the treatment procedure employing ferric-lignin derivatives (FLD) (Ligmet™ binder) and Portland cement (PC). The stabilization effectiveness has been examined by time-based multiple toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests and sequential TCLP tests. In a period of 50 days, the multiple TCLP tests showed a variation of less than 90 μg l −1 for the leachable mercury level, and the sequential TCLP tests for the same sample displayed a declining TCLP mercury level. Based on this study, the stabilization of approximately 2000 t of brine purification sludge has been successfully processed with the ferric-lignin derivatives treatment.

Culturing artificial algal mats to improve the salt yield and quality in saltworks

We carried out a program of culturing large-scale algal mats in Guangrao Saltworks, Shandong Province, China, from 1992 to 1998. The thickness of algal mats cultured by artificial inoculation for 3 years came up to 2.5 cm. Sediment microzones with diminishing redox-gradients developed under the algal mats on the test pan floors and had a strong influence on mobilizing and fixing iron. Due to the brine purification effects of the artificial algal mats, the salt purity was improved from 94.1 to 96.0%. The decrease of the brine permeation in the test pond was 60–80%. The permeation-protecting and brine purification effects created by artificial mats are very important for salt production.

Purification of high-salinity wastewater by activated sludge process

The objective of the present work was the enhancement of the efficiency of microbiological processes in purification of high-salinity oil-field brine by adding the powdered activated carbon (PAC) to the bioreactor and by diluting the brine with surface water. The investigation was carried out in a laboratory setup. Results show that the nature of pollutants and the high salinity (about 29 g/l) of oil-field brine had an unfavourable effect on the activated sludge process. Higher hydraulic loads (above 2.5 d −1) increased wash-out of the activated sludge from the bioreactor, so that an increased concentration of the suspended matter in the settler was observed. The addition of PAC to the bioreactor, combined with the dilution of oil-field brine with surface water, produced a substantial improvement in the sludge volume index. Also, under the given conditions, it was possible to maintain the given concentration of the activated carbon in the bioreactor. The procedure involving PAC and dilution with surface water resulted in an increased rate of pollutant degradation. The positive effect of PAC on the process of oil-field brine purification with the activated sludge was explained by the possibility of immobilization of microorganisms on the activated carbon surface in the form of a biofilm.

The commissioning of an integrated heat pump-assisted geothermal brine purification system

In a previous work, a packaged commercial heat pump was coupled to a geothermal brine purification system. Subsequently, a new compact heat pump-assisted purification system was farbricated which involved the elimination of two heat exchangersi and a reduction in the amount of tubing; this resulted in higher efficiencies due to lower temperature differences in the heat exchangers. The quality of the distilled water obtained from the geothermal brine was similar to commercially available distilled water with respect to chlorides and silica. A coefficient of performance ( COP) of 4.5 was achieved with a brine boiling temperature of 63°C. Higher COPs could be achieved with a higher compressor efficiency. The process shows considerable promise for future development.

Utilization of coal mine brines in the chlorine production process

Utilization of coal mine saline waters is regarded as the most appropriate method of solving the ecological problems created by these waters in Poland. One of the methods of utilizing the most concentrated saline waters — called coal mine brines, which is presently being considered — consists in using them for chlorine production in a diaphragm electrolysis process. On the basis of investigations a technology for preparing mine brine for diaphragm electrolysis has been developed. The process consists of purification of brine with a high magnesium ion concentration while obtaining, as a by-product, magnesium hydroxide and bringing the brine to the state of saturation using sodium chloride from the catholute evaporation process. The technology has been verified on the diaphragm electrolysis experimental installation. It offers low energy consumption and waste-free operation.

Developments in geothermal energy in Mexico—part thirty-six. The commissioning of a heat pump assisted brine purification system

Any system which extracts useful energy from a geothermal source is limited by the effectiveness of the heat transfer between the geothermal fluid, which has a tendency to scale, and the relevant components of the system. A heat pump can be used to maintain a temperature difference between two vessels containing pure water and geothermal brine which is sufficient to enable pure water vapour to flow continuously from the geothermal brine vessel to the pure water vessel. A mechanical vapour compression heat pump using R114 as the working fluid and designed to deliver more than 50 kW of heat has been incorporated in a brine purification system at the Los Azufres geothermal field. This system has been successfully commissioned and is operating as designed and theoretically predicted.

Effects of Mercury in Brine on the Performance of the Membrane‐Type Chlor‐Alkali Plant

The effects of mercury in brine on the performance of the chelate resin in the secondary brine purification system and of the membrane‐type chlor‐alkali cell were tested in a laboratory and in a pilot plant. Mercury in the amalgam‐process brine slightly affects the adsorption capacity of the chelate resin. Cell voltage is not affected if high‐surface‐area activated cathodes are used. Type 304 stainless steel cathodes show increased voltage while the mercury‐containing brine is used, but it returns to normal cell voltage when the mercury is eliminated from the brine. Based on the test results, an amalgam‐process chlorine plant was successfully converted to a membrane process plant, utilizing the existing brine process facilities and the brine itself, without any production loss. Both the amalgam and membrane cells in the plant were operated in parallel during the process conversion of one and one‐half years.

Determination of Mercury in Brine Purification Mud by Emission Spectrographic Analysis

Emission spectrographic analysis by the AC arc powder method was examined in order to find a simple method for the determination of mercury in brine purification mud.The volatilization rate of mercury which depends on the sample composition, could be regulated in a good level by using graphite powder as the diluent.The most suitable carrier which gives the highest sensitivity was found to be Ag2O.From the experimental results above mentioned, a recommendable operating condition is as follows;the sample is mixed with a suitable amount of graphite powder and Ag2O, put into a carbon neck electrode, and then excited by an AC arc of 30 volts and 7 amperes for 20 seconds.The use of Hg I 2536.5Å/Ge I 2533.2Å line pair as the analytical lines is satisfactory.The concentration of Hg to which the present method is applicable is 0.05-1.5%.This method seems to be suitable for routine analysis in a manufactory.

Brine Purification The System Sodium Bicarbonate–Sodium Chloride–Magnesium Carbonate–Water

Brine Purification The System Sodium Bicarbonate–Sodium Chloride–Magnesium Carbonate–Water

Purification of Brine by Ammoniation

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTPurification of Brine by AmmoniationW. C. Hsieh, E. O. Wilson, and T. P. HouCite this: Ind. Eng. Chem. 1933, 25, 2, 165–167Publication Date (Print):February 1, 1933Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 February 1933https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50278a012RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views47Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (359 KB) Get e-Alerts