Scale and Solids Deposition in the SDG&E/U.S. ERDA Geothermal Loop Experimental Facility at Niland, California
- Key words
- Production; Chemical composition; Scale; Scaling; Separators; Sulfides; GLEF; Reservoir engineering; Scale; Silica; USA; Loop; Utilities; SDG&E
- Location
- Imperial Valley; Salton Sea, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1977
- Session
- Scaling; Geochemical surveys
- Language
- English
Abstract
The scale deposition rate and the production of suspended solids during the operation of the SDG&E/U.S. ERDA Geothermal Loop Experimental Facility are described. In general, scaling and total suspended solids increase with process progression to lower temperatures. the major scale constituent is an iron rich amorphous silica. Heavy metal sulfides, mainly galena, comprise as much as 40 wt% in scales deposited in the 1st stage, decreasing to less than a percent in the injection pipe. The elemental composition of the suspended solids in the brine is similar to the composition of the scale deposit at the same location. The exception is in the 1st stage, where metal sulfide enrichment occurs in the scale deposit.
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