Patents by Inventor Vernon H. Wilkins

Vernon H. Wilkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for removal of silica from geothermal brine
    Patent number: 4016075
    Abstract: Ammonium hydroxide is added to a mixture of high-temperature, high-pressure geothermal steam and brine to raise the pH of the brine to between 6.0 and 7.0 and precipitate out a gelatinous sludge of aluminum and iron hydroxides. The hydroxide sludge is suspended in the brine and sweeps out enough dissolved silica so that the temperature and pressure of the brine can be reduced with little, if any, formation of silica scale. Various metals and ammonium hydroxide may then be recovered from the brine, the ammonium hydroxide being recycled in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: Southern Pacific Land Co.
    Inventor: Vernon H. Wilkins