Silica Precipitation and Scaling in Dynamic Geothermal Systems

The authors are modifying an existing 100 gpm titanium loop to provide a facility for studying the formation of silica precipitates, their properties and fates, principally as a function of brine composition, temperature, and flow conditions. This loop demonstrated excellent serviceability over a period of years in saline water corrosion studies (to 275 C and 2 M NaCl), with and without pollutant additives such as H{sub 2}S, NH{sub 3}, and SO{sub 2}, and should be equally useful in this application. Simulated silica saturated geothermal waters are prepared by circulating part of the loop flow ({approx} 1 gpm) through a bypass column filled with amorphous silica powder. Exploratory studies in a Once-Through Development System indicated that porous Vycor (Cornin-Glass Code No.7930, 97% SiO{sub 2}, 3% B{sub 2}O{sub 3}) was a suitable material for loading the column. A recent run at {approx} 220 C confirmed this: the system approached equilibrium in agreement with calculation and with the anticipated 15 psi pressure drop through an 18 in. deep bed of 140-200 mesh Vycor powder

In-Pile Corrosion Test Loops for Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor Solutions

An in-pile corrosion test loop is described which is used to study the effect of reactor radiation on the corrosion of materials of construction and the chemical stability of fuel solutions of interest to the Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor Program at ORNL. Aqueous solutions of uranyl sulfate are circulated in the loop by means of a 5-gpm canned-rotor pump, and the pump loop is designed for operation at temperatures to 300 ts C and pressures to 2000 psia while exposed to reactor radiation in beam-hole facilities of the LITR and ORR. Operation of the first loop in-pile was begun in October 1954, and since that time 17 other in-pile loop experiments were completed. Design criteria of the pump loop and its associated auxiliary equipment and instrumentation are described. In-pile operating procedures, safety features, and operating experience are presented. A cost summary of the design, fabrication, and installation of the loop and experimental facillties is also included. (auth

Kinetics of silica deposition from simulated geothermal brines

Supersaturated brines were passed through columns packed with several forms of silica (crystalline ..cap alpha.. quartz, polycrystalline ..cap alpha.. quartz, and porous Vycor). Also, silica deposition on ThO/sub 2/ microspheres and titanium powder was studied under controlled conditions of supersaturation, pH, temperature and salinity. The residence time was varied by adjustments of flow rate and column length. The silica contents of the input and effluent solutions were determined colorimetrically by a molybdate method

Kinetics of silica deposition from simulated geothermal brines

Supersaturated brines were passed through columns packed with several forms of silica (crystalline ..cap alpha.. quartz, polycrystalline ..cap alpha.. quartz, and porous Vycor). Also, silica deposition on ThO/sub 2/ microspheres and titanium powder was studied under controlled conditions of supersaturation, pH, temperature, and salinity. The residence time was varied by adjustments of flow rate and column length. The silica contents of the input and effluent solutions were determined colorimetrically by a molybdate method which does not include polymers without special pretreatment. Essentially identical deposition behavior was observed once the substrate was thoroughly coated with amorphous silica and the BET surface area of the coated particles was taken into account. The reaction rate is not diffusion limited in the columns. The silica deposition is a function of the monomeric Si(OH)/sub 4/ concentration in the brine. The deposition on all surfaces examined was spontaneously nucleated. The dependence on the supersaturation concentration, hydroxide ion concentration, surface area, temperature and salinity were examined. Fluoride was shown to have no effect at pH 5.94 and low salinity. The empirical rate law which describes the data in 1 m NaCl in the pH range 5-7 and temperatures from 60 to 120/sup 0/C is given