Geothermal plant fluid reinjection system

摘要

A system for extending the operational life of the reinjection system of a geothermal power plant energized by high temperature, high silica content geothermal brine from a source such as the Salton Sea geothermal field or the Brawley geothermal field. The stream of geothermal brine which flows through the plant is passed slowly through a zone of particulate material having a large cumulative surface area in contact with the brine to seed the precipitation of dissolved silica from the brine onto the particles so as to reduce the amount of dissolved silica available for precipitation in the reinjection system. The zone of particulate material may be established as a floating silica sludge blanket in a reactor clarifier which also has a reaction zone in which silica precipitation is initiated. The vessel such as a reactor clarifier in which the zone of particulate material is established is maintained devoid of atmospheric oxygen to minimize other chemical reactions in said zone that would be injurious to the reinjection system.