Brine salt concentration regulation using micellar dispersions

Abstract

Abstract THE CONCENTRATION OF SALTS OF VARIOUS BRINES IS MODIFIED TO OBTAIN AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF DESIRED SALT CONCENTRATION BY CONTACTING THE BRINES WITH A MICELLAR DISPERSION TO FORM A MICROEMULSION UPPER PHASE AND AN AQUEOUS BOTTOM PHASE. A LESS CONCENTRATED SALT SOLUTION WILL BE CONTAINED IN THE RESULTING MICROEMULSION THAN WILL BE IN THE AQUEOUS BOTTOM PHASE. IN THE EVENT THAT THE HIGHER CONCENTRATION SOLUTION IS DESIRED, THE AQUEOUS BOTTOM PHASE IS DECANTED AND RECOVERED. IF THE LOW CONCENTRATION SALT SOLUTION IS DESIRED, THE MICROEMULSION IS SUBJECTED TO A PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL CHANGE TO REDUCE ITS SOLUBILIZING CAPACITY, E.G., BY COOLING, AND THE RESULTING BOTTOM AQUEOUS PHASE IS RECOVERED. IN EITHER CASE, THE MICELLAR DISPERSION OR COMPONENTS THEREOF ARE RECOVERED AND RECYCLED FOR ADDITIONAL BRINE TREATMENT. ANY SURFACTANT OR COSURFACTANT DISSOLVED IN THE WATER CAN BE REMOVED, IF NECESSARY, AND A SERIES OF PROCESS TRAINS CAN BE USED TO OBTAIN WATER OF DESIRED SALINITY. THE PROCESS CAN BE USED TO OBTAIN POTABLE WATER FROM SALT SOLUTIONS.

Inventors

• 👤 John A Davis Jr

Bibliographic Details