Boron Removal at Different Temperatures from Kizildere Geothermal Brine by Means of Coprecipitation With Al2(SO4)3.18H2O and KAl3(SO4)2.OH(Natural Alunite)

Abstract

Denizli-Kizildere Geothermal Fields is the first geothermal field that suitable for electricity production situated on the Western Anatolia. The first geothermal power plant of 20.4 MW of Turkey was installed in this field. The water disposed away from the power plant has a capacity of 1500 tons/h. High concentrations of boron is particularly detrimental for citrus fruits. Therefore the permitted level of boron in irrigation water is 1 mg/dm3. The wastewater from Kizildere geothermal brine contains boron approximately 30 mg/dm3. The level of boron is high to use this water for irrigation in agricultural areas.
In this research, experimental work was carried out to investigate the optimum conditions of boron removal from Denizli-Kizildere Geothermal wastewater by utilizing co-precipitation method.
Since boron waste accumulates in Buyuk Menderes River day by day, it would be necessary to consider ion exchange process as a potential process for Boron removal. A certain emphasis should be given on searching natural adsorbents or developing cheaper ion exchange resins with better performance for boron removal.