Salt Deposits Research Articles

Разработка общего критериального уравнения расчета теплоотдачи к углеводородным и неуглеводородным средам при их естественной конвекции в условиях локального осадкообразования

The paper presents a new general criterion equation for calculating heat transfer under conditions of natural convection of the hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon media with local deposit formation on the heat exchange surface. Information sources on the research topic were analyzed. Examples of deposits in certain power plants and jet engines are provided. Main factors influencing the carbon-containing deposits on the heated walls of the fuel and coolant supply channels are considered. The new equation for calculating heat transfer was obtained based on a new deposit formation similarity criterion created by the author of this article, which simultaneously takes into account both the thermal and electrochemical nature of this process. Values of the new electrochemical numbers used in the calculation and included in the deposit formation similarity criterion were found for the carbon-containing deposits in the kerosene media and for the salt deposits (NaCl salt). Results of the experimental studies were generalized in the TS-1 kerosene media, salt solution and air with local deposit formation on the heat exchange surface. Some generalization results are presented in the corresponding graphs.

The Interaction Principle in the Assessment of Pillars’ Secondary Stress-Deformation State

Abstract In the field of mining, one of the exploitation methods that is still the most used in rock salt, potassium, and magnesium salt deposits is the method with the room and abandoned pillar. The salt mining method with rooms and pillars represents a unique spatial system for which the establishment of an optimal correlation between the parameters of the room, pillar, and rock massif is required in any given situation. Thus, the dimensioning of the most requested element in the system is followed, and depending on its parameters, the other parameters of the system are established. Considering the exploitation method with rooms and pillars, the pillars are certainly the elements that are subjected to the greatest loads. In the situation where the deep exploitation of salt is done with square pillars, the evaluation of the optimal parameters of the elements of the exploitation system requires: establishing the loads that appear in the surrounding salt massif (the natural stress state); the qualitative-quantitative determination of the way of distribution of the secondary stress state in the pillars; evaluating the bearing capacity of the pillars; and establishing their geometric elements. Solving this problem can be achieved by different methods: based on the theory of limit equilibrium, taking into account the effective stress in the pillars; methods of the mechanics of the continuous system based on the analytical models for evaluating the secondary stress and deformation state of pillars and floors; and numerical methods combined with the results and measurements from the laboratory and in situ tests. A methodology based on the pillar–room–salt massif interaction principle was proposed for the analytically achievable stability exploitation system of rock salt by the dry method as the depth increased. Applying this method, the secondary stress-deformation state in the pillar can be established by taking into account the rheological behaviour of the salt, changing the pillar shape, and the extraction technology. The presented algorithm can be extended in the field of exploitation, where the room and pillar exploitation methods are used.

Predicting the amount of salt deposition in the solar desalination pond experimentally and mathematically

Predicting the amount of salt deposition in the solar desalination pond experimentally and mathematically

STUDY OF THE ECOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STATE OF THE LIMNYTSIA RIVER

In modern conditions of widespread environmental pollution, the issue of environmental safety in the process of developing potassium salt deposits is particularly relevant.One of the main problems causing the deterioration of the ecological situation dur

Groundwater Contamination and Risk Assessment in Greater Palm Springs

Groundwater is an essential resource for drinking water, but its contamination with potentially toxic elements and arsenic (As) is a global issue. To evaluate As and its levels in the Coachella Valley, the US Geological Survey (USGS) collected 17 groundwater samples. This study looked into the arsenic distribution, enrichment, hydrogeochemical behavior, and health risks associated with the samples. The comparative analysis between groundwater contamination in Greater Palm Springs and similar regions, could provide valuable insights into regional differences and common challenges. The hydrogeochemical facies showed the dominance of calcium and magnesium-bicarbonate-carbonate, indicating permanent hardness and salt deposits of residual carbonate. The Gibbs plot demonstrated that chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals and evaporation are the primary forces impacting groundwater chemistry. Geochemical modeling revealed saturation for calcite and dolomite, and under-saturation for halite. Principal component analysis identified the potential contributory sources for contamination of groundwater. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic potentials of the toxic elements arsenic, cadmium, chromium (VI), and lead were calculated using a human health risk assessment model. For both adults and children, the highest non-carcinogenic mean value was observed for arsenic (8.52 × 10−1), with the lowest for cadmium (1.32 × 10−3). Children had the highest cumulative non-carcinogenic risk from potentially toxic elements. Our research offers crucial baseline data for assessing arsenic in groundwater at the regional level, which is important for health risk reduction and remediation programs. The data show that preventative action must be taken to reduce the potential health risks in the study area from drinking groundwater, particularly for children.

Janus membrane with enhanced interfacial activation for solar evaporation

Low solar spectrum coverage, high evaporation enthalpy, and undesired salt deposition severely limited the solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology for further sewage purification and seawater desalination. To overcome these problems, we designed an amphiphilic Janus-structured polyaniline (PANI)/ZrC/cellulose acetate (CA) (J-PZCA) membrane. Firstly, the interfacial interaction between PANI and ZrC enhances the photoabsorption and photothermal conversion efficiency. Secondly, low thermal conductivity reduces the heat lost at the interface. Most importantly, ZrC could facilitate interfacial activation, which weakens the intermolecular forces of water by affecting the hydrogen bond. Under 1 solar irradiation (1 sun), the composite membrane exhibits a high evaporation rate of 1.31 kg m−2 h−1 and an excellent efficiency of 79.4%. In addition, the sewage purification and seawater desalination experiments reveal a remarkable purification capability of J-PZCA membrane. Especially for the treatment of high-concentration salt solution, it realizes a long-term stable evaporation performance due to the excellent salt deposition resistance. Therefore, the J-PZCA membrane constructed in this study provides a new perspective for the design of efficient interfacial evaporation devices.

Durability, workability, and setting time of cementitious systems containing chloride-rich oil and gas production wastewater

The application of alternative non-potable water sources can be leveraged to build infrastructure components that support sustainable industrial operations in regions that experience high frequency of freshwater shortages. This study examines how the use of highly saline produced water (as mixing water) in portland cement mortar impacts workability, setting time, electrical resistivity, pore formation, and microstructure. The results show that produced water decreases both mortars setting time by 30% and workability by 20%. Alkali solubility and pore solution conductivity are also influenced by the produced water-increasing pore solution conductivity by approximately 100 mS/cm. The produced water reacts with the cementitious material to form small deposits of Friedel's salts and calcite that primarily fill the smaller pores in the matrix-thus primarily influencing the pore structure of low w/c mortar systems. In the low water/cement (w/c) produced water mortar systems (0.4), both the pore formation factor (∼2X) and resistivity (∼1.5X) are significantly higher than the control (tap water mortar systems), but in the high w/c systems (0.6) both are slightly lower. The produced water mortar systems also tend to retain more moisture during dry cycling which leads to significantly lower resistivity than the control in air-dried conditions. Diluting the produced water with tap water will reduce moisture retention during dry cycling and increase resistivity.

Insight on the Properties of Pumice Mineral for the Combined Adsorption Distillation of Membrane Reject Water

The current study evaluated the use of pumice, a volcanic mineral and common sand, in treating reverse osmosis membrane reject water (ROR) using a novel combined adsorption distillation (CAD) method. The CAD method is developed to separate the dissolved solids through adsorption distillation, i.e., leaving the vaporized distillate as freshwater and concentrated brine. The adsorption potential of pumice and sand was investigated at different adsorbent doses, i.e., 2, 5, and 10 g, and consecutive CAD adsorbent backwashing cycles. The improved results were achieved at a 10 g pumice dose. However, its adsorption efficiency declined in longer CAD cycles, i.e., due to the separated deposition of solids. After backwashing, the adsorbed and accumulated salts were slightly removed, and pumice adsorption capacity was maintained for up to 20 cycles of CAD. The properties of the pumice, i.e., before and after five CAD cycles and after backwashing, were characterized with scanning electron microscopic (SEM), elemental disruptive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that the porous structure of the pumice was completely accumulated with deposits of ionic salts, which were slightly washed away after backwashing, but accumulation remained continued in post-CAD cycles. The explored method revealed a high potential of pumice in water filtration.

Динамика кислотно-щелочных и окислительно-восстановительных условий в аллювиальных техногенно засоленных почвах таежно-лесной зоны

The alluvial technogenically saline soils on the territory of the Verkhnekamsk salt deposit in the Perm Region were examined. It was found that in the studied part of the valleys of small rivers, alluvial saline soils occupy tens of hectares. During the summer-autumn observation period in alluvial humus gley saline saturated soil (Gleyic Fluvisol (Loamic, Salic)) at a depth of 10-40 cm, reducing conditions prevailed (Eh from +200 mV to -250 mV), favoring the biochemical recovery of iron and sulfur. The reaction of the soil medium ranged from 6,5–7,8 pH. In alluvial gley salt marsh unsaturated soils during the summer-autumn period in a layer of 10-40 cm, an alternation of anaerobic and aerobic conditions (Eh from -50 mV to +550 mV) was noted; the reaction of the soil medium at a depth of about 10-20 cm ranged from 2,5–4,1 pH. The regression dependence of pH on the value of Eh has been established with a correlation coefficient of R = -0,84. Apparently, technogenically saline alluvial soils have the potential for the formation of sulfide compounds and their subsequent oxidation with the appearance of a sharp acid reaction of the soil medium. Keywords: TECHNOGENIC SALINIZATION, EH, PH, GLEYIC FLUVISOL (LOAMIC, SALIC)

Effect of dopant on ion-dynamics of sodium ion-based flexible polyblend electrolyte for electrochemical device application

This work examines the impact of NaNO3 salt on a NaAlg: PVA blend polymer, focusing on charge carrier properties, such as number density (n), mobility (μ), and diffusion coefficient (D). It is found that the addition of NaNO3 increased the room temperature conductivity from (6.12±0.15) × 10−8 S cm−1 (PNN0, salt-free) to (6.50±0.03) × 10−6 S cm−1 (PNN15, 15 wt.% NaNO3), influenced by increasing n compared to µ. Temperature-dependent conductivity revealed a significant influence of both n and μ on electrolyte conductivity, and the ion dynamics were explored using various formalisms. XRD studies showed reduced crystallinity owing to the interaction of Na+ and NO3− with -OH groups, as confirmed by IR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed salt deposits at higher concentrations. However, sufficient mechanical strength was observed for the optimally conducting sample. Obtained results showed the potential applications of the sample in electrochemical devices.

Modeling debrining of an energy storage salt cavern considering the effects of temperature

Debrining is one of the most important steps in the construction of a salt cavern. The debrining inner tubing may be blocked by salt deposits because the brine temperature drops during debrining. However, most previous studies have ignored the effects of salt deposits on debrining. In this paper, a novel debrining model of a gas storage salt cavern to predict the debrining parameters and salt deposit growth based on the crystallization kinetics and heat transfer principle is built. A finite difference program is developed to solve this model. The model is validated by debrining monitoring data. The effects of debrining rate on debrining parameters are analyzed. The results show that the brine and gas temperature increase gradually with debrining time and ultimately approaches a constant value. If the debrining rate is increased from 20 to 80 m3/h, the salt deposits growth rate at the wellhead is decreased by 53.48%, and the total debrining time can be reduced by 77.3%, and the backflushing frequency can be decreased from 1.17 to 3.29 days/time. It is suggested that the debrining rate of Jintan UGS salt cavern increased to more than 80 m3/h and the backflushing frequency decreased to 3.29 days/time.

Analysis of cavity shapes and gas-and-fluid localizations in salt rocks of Starobin potash salt deposit

Analysis of cavity shapes and gas-and-fluid localizations in salt rocks of Starobin potash salt deposit

Hydrochemical studies on the use of inhibitors to prevent the risks of scaling in the fields of “Azneft” PU

The laboratory studies have been carried out with KD-7 agents developed by the Institute and currently applied in the fields against salt deposition in the systems of production, refining, transportation and storage, and with foreign “Randim-4021” and domestic “VFIKS-82” agents as well. In the course of the studies, the superiority of the locally produced KD-7 agent over other ones has been justified by laboratory tests. This agent not only eliminates salt deposits in the pipes of the pump compressor, but also cleans the bottomhole zone, improves the productivity of the well, provides cleaning of reservoirs from bottom sediments.

New insights into the crustal architecture and tectonic evolution of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

AbstractThe Gulf of Mexico is an intraplate oceanic basin where rifting commenced in the Late Triassic, leading to drifting and ensuing oceanic accretion by Middle‐Late Jurassic, which ceased by the Early Cretaceous. Its tectonic evolution encompasses multiple rifting phases dominated by orthogonal extension, variable magmatism and salt deposition. This complex tectonic history is recorded within the rifted margins of the Gulf of Mexico, including along the eastern part of the basin, where considerable uncertainty remains regarding the tectonic evolution and resulting crustal configuration. This study presents new insights into the crustal types and an updated tectonic framework for the Florida margin. An integrated analysis of seismic and potential field data allows us to characterize the nature of the crust, which shows wide zones of hyperextended continental crust, seaward dipping reflection (SDR) packages, exhumed mantle and magmatic crust. Our results propose elements that could improve the plate model of the Gulf of Mexico, by accounting for the polyphase nature of rifting, the counter‐clockwise rotation of the Yucatan block and the observed increase in magmatic supply.

Hydrogenation of Acetylene over Pd–Ag/Sibunit Catalysts: Effect of the Deposition Sequence of Active Component Precursors

The study investigates interactions between palladium and silver in Pd–Ag bimetallic catalysts supported on a mesoporous carbon material Sibunit and, in particular, the dependence of these interactions on the deposition sequence of the metal precursors. Using XRD and TEM results, it was shown that impregnating the support with an aqueous solution that contained nitrate salts of both metals, followed by hydrogen treatment at 500°C, generates uniformly sized Pd0.6Ag0.4 particles (dav = 5.6 nm). These particles exhibit high selectivity (79%) in the reaction of acetylene hydrogenation to ethylene. The catalysts synthesized by sequential impregnation of the support with solutions of Pd and Ag nitrates interleaved with heat treatment in H2 exhibited a lower selectivity (68–73%) due to the formation of particles non-uniform both in composition and size (about 4 to 60 nm). The IR spectroscopy data suggest this effect is presumably associated with the removal of O-containing functional groups from the carbon surface during the reduction of the supported precursor. Given that O-groups act as anchoring sites for the precursors of active components and suppress the ability of Sibunit to reduce metals from their salt solutions, the subsequent deposition of the second metal salt causes a non-uniform distribution of this metal on the surface and the generation of larger particles.

Analysis of Natural Pollution Accumulation Characteristics of Insulators for Railroads in High-Altitude Environment

Railway system insulators are affected by pollution, altitude, and other environmental situations during operation, which causes reduced electrical performance or even flashover accidents. These factors threaten the safety of railway operations in high-altitude areas. However, the natural contamination characteristics of a railroad in a plateau area is still unclear. In this study, a natural pollution accumulation test for railway insulators in a high-altitude area was carried out, and the distribution rules of nonsoluble deposit density (NSDD), equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD), NSDD/ESDD ratio, and nonuniformity (T/B) of the pollution distribution of the tested insulators were calculated. Meanwhile, the chemical compositions of the pollution from different test sites were analyzed. The differences of pollution accumulation between railway insulators and suspended insulators of a power system and the influencing factors were compared and analyzed by combining with a numerical simulation. The results show that the pollution level of railroad insulators is mainly distributed in level b and above. A pollution sample is mainly composed of sodium chloride, while the NSDD/ESDD ratio of pollution is mostly distributed from 0 to 5, with T/B value ranges from 1/0.62 to 1/1.76. The amount of insulator contamination is influenced by the location inside and outside the tunnel. Additionally, the pollution amount is influenced by the structure and type of insulators. Finally, this paper studies the creepage distance and structural height required by railway insulators in a plateau area according to the natural pollution accumulation characteristics of railway insulators, which can provide a reference for a railway electrical external insulation configuration in a high-altitude area.

High‐Resolution Local Earthquake Tomography Beneath the Zagros Simply Folded Belt (SFB): Implications for an Inhomogeneous Low‐Velocity Layer and Diapirism in the Upper Crust

AbstractHormuz salt formation is considered the origin of the evaporated salt deposits in the Zagros and its ductile behavior has been known as the reason for the inhomogeneous deformation in the Zagros. However, our knowledge about this formation has been limited to the salt domes on the surface. In our study, local earthquakes recorded by a temporary dense seismological network of 17 stations, deployed in the southern margin of the Zagros Simply Folded Belt (SFB) in southwestern Iran, have been used for seismic imaging. The high‐resolution earthquake local tomography revealed the first geophysical evidence about the Hormuz salt layer and its extension at depth. There is an uneven layer located at a depth of 8–12 km as the origin of extruded salt in this region through a shear fault zone and the production of the Dashti Salt Dome at the Kuh‐e‐Namak Mountain. Based on the obtained results, this layer is characterized by low seismic velocity volumes with significant Vp/Vs ratio variations. The seismic image is also consistent with a major NW‐trending NE‐dipping reverse fault, probably responsible for the 9 April 2013 Kaki earthquake. At depth of around 4 km, smaller scale high velocity anomalies, characterized by a high Vp/Vs ratio, may be related to the fluid saturated sediments in the uppermost sedimentary layer.

Evaluating the Economic Potential for Geological Hydrogen Storage in Australia

Australia has ambitions to become a major global hydrogen producer by 2030. The establishment of Australia’s and the world’s hydrogen economy, however, will depend upon the availability of affordable and reliable hydrogen storage. Geological hydrogen storage is a practical solution for large scale storage requirements ensuring hydrogen supply can always meet demand, and excess renewable electricity can be stored for later use, improving electricity network reliability. Hosting thick, underground halite (salt) deposits and an abundance of onshore depleted gas fields, Australia is well placed to take advantage of geological hydrogen storage options to support its ambition of building a global hydrogen hub export industry. Using the Bluecap modelling software, we identify regions in Australia that are potentially profitable for large scale hydrogen production and storage. We use the results of this work to suggest high-potential regions for hydrogen development, supporting policymaker and investor decisions on the locations of new infrastructure and hydrogen projects in Australia.

Salt Dissolution in the Permian Flowerpot and Blaine Formations Defines Limits of the Syracuse Basin in Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado

The Syracuse Basin is a large region of about 8,100 mi2 (21,000 km2) in western Kansas and eastern Colorado that is underlain by Permian-age salts in the Flowerpot and Blaine Formations of the Nippewalla Group. Originally thought to be a structural or depositional basin, detailed study around the perimeter of the basin shows that it is a dissolutional remnant wherein the salt beds are dissolved at all places around the basin’s margins. The two main salt units, the Flowerpot salt and the middle Blaine salt, consist mainly of displacive halite in red-brown shales and siltstones (mudstones). The Flowerpot salt is generally 200–300 ft (61–91 m) thick within the basin, but where most or all of the salt is dissolved outside of the basin, equivalent strata are 50–150 ft (15–46 m) thick. The younger middle Blaine salt is typically 45–60 ft (14–18 m) thick in the basin, and equivalent strata are 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m) thick where the salt is dissolved. Five areas selected for detailed study of the dissolution zone around the perimeter of the Syracuse Basin show that removal of about 250 ft (76 m) of Flowerpot salt occurs within horizontal distances ranging from about 930 ft (283 m) to as much as 14 mi (23 km). Structural cross sections show that sub-salt strata dip gently and uninterrupted beneath the dissolution zone, whereas strata above the salt are disrupted and are flexed down by an amount roughly equal to the amount of dissolved salt. This supports the thesis that the salt deposits are a dissolutional remnant and not a structural or depositional basin. In most areas, descending unsaturated groundwater dissolves the shallower middle Blaine salt first and then dissolves the deeper Flowerpot salt. But in two areas, unsaturated groundwater is sourced from a sub-salt aquifer, causing dissolution of the Flowerpot salt first and then the shallower middle Blaine salt. Salt dissolution occurred at different times in different parts of the Syracuse Basin. In most areas, it occurred mainly during the Pliocene–Pleistocene–Holocene Epochs, but locally it started before deposition of the Cretaceous or even from Late Permian through Early Cretaceous time. The original extent of the Flowerpot and middle Blaine salts went far beyond the current extent of the Syracuse Basin. Remnants of both salt units are present in six large regions that extend from the Denver Basin in northeast Colorado and western Nebraska on the north to the Anadarko and Palo Duro basins in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico on the south, a total area of about 115,800 mi2 (300,000 km2). In all these regions, the two salt units have dissolutional limits like those at the perimeter of the Syracuse Basin. Dissolution of subsurface salt units can cause problems when or if underground cavities become so large that the roof of the cavity collapses and the cavity rises to the land surface to form a sinkhole or an area of ground subsidence. Problems can also arise when seismic-reflection surveys cross a dissolution boundary and false images of phantom structures are created in strata below the dissolution zone. Also, drilling through salt units must be done with care so that unsaturated drilling muds and formation waters do not cause cavity development in the salt. Dissolution of salt also can affect the quality of groundwater: Salt-dissolution brine can migrate into fresh groundwater aquifers and even render the water unusable for most purposes.

Molecular dynamics study with COMPASS II forcefield on nucleation and growth mechanism of sodium chloride in supercritical water

Supercritical water gasification (SCWG) is a promising technology for converting and utilizing high-salt organic waste, while salt deposition problems seriously hinder its industrial application. In this work, the formation and evolution of sodium chloride (NaCl) clusters in supercritical water (SCW) at the range of (0.1–0.3) g·cm−3 and (673–1073) K are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The findings demonstrate that the nucleation and growth process can be divided into three stages: ion pairs, small ionic clusters, and large clusters. Nucleation processes are completed within the initial 20 ps, with the nucleation rate of NaCl in SCW reaching magnitudes of 1036 m−3·s−1, exhibiting an increasing trend with temperature and density. Lower densities and higher temperatures facilitate NaCl nucleation, and clusters grown at lower densities exhibit a more compact structure.