Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University. / Bibliography: leaves 62-64. Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Sedimentary basins can contain close to 20% by volume pore fluids that are commonly classified as brines. These fluids can become undersaturated with respect to calcite as a result of processes such as migration, dispersive mixing, or anthropogenic injection of CO2. This study measured calcite solubility and dissolution rates in geologically relevant Na-Ca-Mg-Cl synthetic brines (35 to 200 g L-1 TDS). In brines < 50 g L-1 TDS, the EQPITZER calculated calcium carbonate ion activity product (IAP) at steady-state was in reasonable agreement (±10%) with the thermodynamic solubility constant for calcite (Kc). However, the IAP systematically exceeded Kc in more concentrated brines. The deviation was strongly correlated with calcium concentration and also was observed in magnesium-free solutions. This is interpreted as an uncertainty in the carbonate ion activity coefficient, and minor adjustment in stoichiometric association constants (K*M2+CO30) for the CaCO30 or MgCo30 ion pairs would correct for the error. The dissolution rate dependency on brine composition, pCO2 (0.1 to 1 bar), and temperature (25.0 to 82.5 °C) was modeled using the empirical rate equation ()nkRΩ−=1 where R is the rate, k and n are empirical fitting terms, and Ω the degree of disequilibrium with respect to calcite. When Ω was defined relative to an apparent kinetic solubility, n could be assumed first-order over the range of Ω investigated (Ω = 0.2 to 1.0). Rates increased with increasing pCO2 as did the sensitivity to brine concentration. At 0.1 bar, rates were nearly independent of concentration (k = 13.0 ±2.0 x 10-3 moles m-1 hr-1). However, at higher CO2 partial pressures rates became composition dependent and the rate constant, k, was shown to be a function of temperature, pCO2, ionic strength, and calcium and magnesium activity. The rate constant (k) can be estimated from a multiple regression (MR) model of the form k = B0 + B1(T) + B2(pCo2) + B4(aCa2+) + B5(aMg2+). A relatively high activation energy (Ea = 20 kJ mol-1) was measured, along with a stirring rate independence suggesting the dissolution is dominated by surface controlled processes at saturation states Ω > 0.2 in these calcium-rich brines. These findings offer important implications to reaction-transport models in carbonate-bearing saline reservoirs.

Sedimentary basins can contain close to 20% by volume pore fluids that are commonly classified as brines. These fluids can become undersaturated with respect to calcite as a result of processes such as migration, dispersive mixing, or anthropogenic injection of CO2. This study measured calcite solubility and dissolution rates in geologically relevant Na-Ca-Mg-Cl synthetic brines (35 to 200 g L-1 TDS). In brines < 50 g L-1 TDS, the EQPITZER calculated calcium carbonate ion activity product (IAP) at steady-state was in reasonable agreement (±10%) with the thermodynamic solubility constant for calcite (Kc). However, the IAP systematically exceeded Kc in more concentrated brines. The deviation was strongly correlated with calcium concentration and also was observed in magnesium-free solutions. This is interpreted as an uncertainty in the carbonate ion activity coefficient, and minor adjustment in stoichiometric association constants (K*M2+CO30) for the CaCO30 or MgCo30 ion pairs would correct for the error. The dissolution rate dependency on brine composition, pCO2 (0.1 to 1 bar), and temperature (25.0 to 82.5 °C) was modeled using the empirical rate equation ()nkR&#8486;&#8722;=1 where R is the rate, k and n are empirical fitting terms, and &#8486; the degree of disequilibrium with respect to calcite. When &#8486; was defined relative to an apparent kinetic solubility, n could be assumed first-order over the range of &#8486; investigated (&#8486; = 0.2 to 1.0). Rates increased with increasing pCO2 as did the sensitivity to brine concentration. At 0.1 bar, rates were nearly independent of concentration (k = 13.0 ±2.0 x 10-3 moles m-1 hr-1). However, at higher CO2 partial pressures rates became composition dependent and the rate constant, k, was shown to be a function of temperature, pCO2, ionic strength, and calcium and magnesium activity. The rate constant (k) can be estimated from a multiple regression (MR) model of the form k = B0 + B1(T) + B2(pCo2) + B4(aCa2+) + B5(aMg2+). A relatively high activation energy (Ea = 20 kJ mol-1) was measured, along with a stirring rate independence suggesting the dissolution is dominated by surface controlled processes at saturation states &#8486; > 0.2 in these calcium-rich brines. These findings offer important implications to reaction-transport models in carbonate-bearing saline reservoirs.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 1967. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

ABSTRACT There is currently a ubiquitous drive for South African industries to improve on water usage as large volumes of raw water are consumed and saline effluents (brines) are produced during their operations. This dissertation addresses the use of paste technology to co-dispose brines as well as solid wastes, from the SASOL Secunda complex in a sustainable manner. The findings from this study indicated that the properties of pastes with relatively high solids concentrations (e.g. 70%) are dependent on the physical properties of fly ash, such as carbon content and fineness thus impacting on the transportability of the paste. In order to overcome this effect, the paste with a 65% solids concentration will be less sensitive to the physical properties of the fly ash. Furthermore the chemical composition and salt load of brines affect the transportability and salt retention of paste. It was also observed that salinity of the brine affects the settling rate of the paste. The availability of various brines at SASOL provides an opportunity to investigate the blends of brines that will provide suitable settling and salt retention of paste. The other opportunity identified was the use of SASOL solid wastes such as incineration ash (IA) and gasification ash as additives to improve paste properties. It was also discovered that the mode of salt retention is predominantly chemical rather than physical, which increases the credibility of this technology. The overall conclusion is that paste technology is a potential solution for sustainable co-disposal of ash and brines. Further research areas are proposed to improve the understanding of paste technology and its implementation.

<p> Members of a Californian species of Artemia were raised in brines of four different specific gravities, (1.028, 1.062, 1.090, and 1.120), with the other environmental factors held as constant as possible. Three populations of the shrimp (1.028, 1.090, and 1.120) followed a typical growth curve, while the fourth group (1.062) did not. The dimensions of the mature specimens could be related to the specific gravities of their environments by a formula of the general form y = ax + b </p> <p> These results were, SPECIFIC GRAVITY= 1.19 - .359(±.018)WTHCAF - .067(±.010)LTHSTE +.012(±.003)ABDLTH +.097(±.032)DEPTHU for a mature population.</p> <p> An inverse relationship between biomass and specific gravity was determined as was a direct relation between specific gravity of the media, and inorganic residue left after the organic material of the shrimp had been burnt away.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

It is clear that a planet's ability to support life is intimately associated with its physical evolution, but many aspects of this link have not been resolved. For example, differing geologic histories have the potential to drive large-scale differences in the chemistry of planets’ waters, with unknown implications for habitability. In this thesis, I link the geochemical evolution of Mars to the habitability of its associated evaporitic or brine environments, which have been widespread throughout the planet's history. Their habitability is compared with the Earth system, where a chloride-dominated chemistry permits the microbial colonisation of brines with extremely low water availability. By assessing the physicochemical environments in martian brines, I present evidence that high ionic strength, driven to extremes on Mars by the ubiquitous occurrence of divalent ions, can influence habitability even if water availability is high. The importance of this parameter has been overlooked in terrestrial microbiology, likely due to the paucity of environments with high levels of di- or multivalent ions, and its possible mechanics and significance for defining habitat space on Earth and other planets are discussed. Additionally, cultivation techniques and next-generation DNA sequencing were used to identify organisms capable of growth in extreme Mars-relevant brines, which contrast with those typically found in NaCl-rich brines on the Earth. The isolation of a novel sulfate-tolerant Marinococcus strain, and its growth response to fluctuating martian brine compositions are reported. These results show that microbial growth kinetics are defined not merely by additive ion effects, but rather by bulk physicochemical conditions defined by complete ion assemblages. Changes to composition driven by evaporation or freezing can therefore push a brine into more biologically clement conditions by altering a brine’s physicochemical profile The data herein present a strong case that geochemical context is essential to understanding habitability in extreme saline environments. A new framework for predicting brine habitability is required, taking into account the geochemical history of the brine as well as the effects different ionic compositions exert on microorganisms. This work is a significant contribution across several fields, and emphasises the value of interdisciplinary science in answering questions of planetary habitability. Furthermore, this thesis provides a case study for exploring the impact of planetary-scale geochemical evolution on the ability of a planet to support life.

According to the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC), ????over 250 billion gallons of produced water is taken out of Texas Soil every year, and more than 35% of this water is not currently fit to use.?? Therefore, it can be assumed that domestically and globally, the petroleum industries challenge has been to develop a high-tech and cost effective method to purify the large volumes of oilfield brines and produced water. Currently, most of the produced water requires several pre- and post- treatment methods to aide in reducing fouling of membranes, separation of components, increasing influent and effluent quality, and preventing unwanted work stoppage during the desalination process. As a result, the pre- and post- treatment conditioning of the produced water affects the economics and scale-up (i.e. residence times, absorption capacity, etc??) of the varying processes parameters. Therefore, this research focuses on developing an economic analysis and determining the adsorption capacity of an organoclay system to remove oil.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on Sept. 16, 2009. "June 2009." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering." "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." Major professor: Yarrow Nelson, Ph.D. Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-100).

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries