Kinetic equations and type curves for predicting the precipitation of amorphous silica from geothermal brines

Abstract

The kinetics of amorphous silica precipitation from aqueous solution up to 100/sup 0/C and containing up to 1M NaCl were studied experimentally. Empirical equations for the rate of molecular deposition on surfaces as a function of temperature, dissolved silica concentration, pH and salinity are presented. Empirical type curves which depict the decrease in dissolved silica concentration through homogeneous nucleation of colloidal silica are also presented. Two practical examples related to geothermal practice are given