Abstract: This invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for producing primary treated brine, i.e. <20 ppm calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium ions at the wellhead of underground salt caverns formed by depletion of their salt content by previous solution mining operations. The purified brine produced is maintained in an anerobic state and transported to chlor-alkali plant installations for use in electrolysis cells for the production of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Raw brine produced at an operating brine wellhead is injected into a depleted salt cavern along with the treatment chemicals required to purify the raw brine. A novel installation including a producing well or wells, a depleted well cavern or caverns, and support facilities for producing primary treated brine is provided.

Abstract: A new method for making large underground storage caverns in bedded or domal salt deposits for the storage of fluid materials in areas where solution mining water temperatures are low by a process which significantly reduces the amount of time required to make equivalent sized underground storage caverns and which is economically feasible and friendly to the environment. The process includes the warm water solution mining of the underground salt deposits in a manner which conserves the heat contained in the supernatant brine from the underground cavity and employs this heat as a significant source for warming the water employed in the solution mining operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for producing primary treated brine, i.e. <20 ppm calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium ions at the wellhead of underground salt caverns formed by depletion of their salt content by previous solution mining operations. The purified brine produced is maintained in an anerobic state and transported to chlor-alkali plant installations for use in electrolysis cells for the production of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Raw brine produced at an operating brine wellhead is injected into a depleted salt cavern along with the treatment chemicals required to purify the raw brine. A novel installation including a producing well or wells, a depleted well cavern or caverns, and support facilities for producing primary treated brine is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an evaporative salt plant installation including methods of operation and apparatus which produce high purity salt economically and in high yield comprising the combination of a gas turbine which drives a vapor compressor, whose exhaust gases are used to produce steam to drive a topping steam turbine generator, which in turn generates the electrical energy requirements of the plant, and wherein the discharge vapors from the steam turbine are combined with the discharge vapors from the vapor compressor, which is in turn in combination with a vapor compression evaporator and a purge evaporator, whereby both evaporators produce salt, and where the overhead vapors of the purge evaporator are used in a brine cooled condenser to preheat input cold brine, thereby producing water condensate which is recovered, along with evaporator steam chest condensate streams, and used in solution mining underground salt, thereby allowing for both the productive use and recovery of substantially all the r

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for purifying brine for electrolysis in chlor-alkali cells, especially membrane cells by reducing the sulfate ion concentration, while at the same time minimizing the concentration of other undesireable ions such as calcium and chlorate. The methods and systems employed are unique combinations of refrigeration and crystalization, and brine recirculation techniques in the systems for electrolyzing brine.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for purifying brine for electrolysis in chlor-alkali cells, especially membrane cells by reducing the sulfate ion concentration, while at the same time minimizing the concentration of other undesireable ions such as calcium and chlorate. The methods and systems employed are unique combinations of refrigeration and crystallization, and brine recirculation techniques in the systems for electrolyzing brine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel method for the underground storage of fluid materials including those which are readily soluable or reactive with water or brine such as concentrated caustic soda, ethylene dichloride or anhydrous ammonia within chambers developed in salt formations via solution mining and from which essentially all the brine has been removed; and the chambers thereby produced. More particularly this invention relates to methods for making underground storage chambers; of recovering the brine formed in the making of the chamber; isolating the contaminants, i.e., the insolubles mixed with brine resulting from the solution mining of the storage chamber, such that fluids soluable or reactive with water or brine can be stored therein; and also to a method for controlling the velocity of free fall of materials injected into the chamber for storage, such that erosion of the equipment employed is minimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel brine system for use in electrolyzing salt to chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen in chlor-alkali cells employing an ion exchange membrane and, more particularly, to the efficient use of brine as the raw material to be electrolyzed in chlor-alkali membrane cells. This invention also relates to a process for the conversion of a diaphragm cell and evaporator plant to one employing membrane type cells while still utilizing the existing brine treatment and caustic evaporation equipment and the resultant plant installations.

Abstract: A well completion and workover method wherein a subterranean formation is contacted with a high density, nondamaging treating fluid which comprises a saturated, aqueous saline solution with at least one water soluble salt that is substantially insoluble in the saturated saline solution. The water soluble salt has a particle size range of about 5 microns to about 800 microns, and greater than about 5 percent of the particles are coarser than 44 microns to control the pressure in the formation; to bridge and seal off the formation; to avoid particle invasion; and also to minimize fluid loss to the formation. A minor amount of a fluid loss additive is included in the treating fluid to inhibit loss of fluid into the formation and a minor amount of a suspension additive is included in the treating fluid to prevent settling of the water soluble salt particles in the aqueous saline solution. The aqueous saline solution should have a density of at least about 10 pounds per gallon.

Abstract: Caking of potassium chloride and sodium chloride in the particle size range of 20 mesh and finer is inhibited by adding one or more alkaline earth or multi-valent metal salts of lignosulfonate in an amount by weight within the range of about 1% to about 20% to the potassium chloride or sodium chloride.

Abstract: A nondamaging work over and completion fluid having water soluble bridging agents includes a saturated brine solution having at least one water soluble salt which is insoluble in the saturated brine solution and having particle size range of about 5 microns to about 800 microns and wherein greater than about 5% of the particles are coarser than 44 microns. Viscosifier and suspension additive is added to provide the desired viscosity and assist in maintaining the water soluble sized salt suspended in the saturated brine solution. If desired or necessary a fluid loss control agent may be added to enhance the fluid loss control or filtration control of the completion fluid.The invention may be practiced by pumping or discharging the fluid or a slug or pill of the fluid into an oil, gas, water, injection or storage well where operations are to be conducted in which it is desired to temporarily plug the permeable zone while such operations are carried out.

Abstract: A nondamaging work over and completion fluid having water soluble bridging agents includes a saturated brine solution having at least one water soluble salt which is insoluble in the saturated brine solution and having particle size range of about 5 microns to about 800 microns and wherein greater than about 5% of the particles are coarser than 44 microns. Viscosifier and suspension additive is added to provide the desired viscosity and assist in maintaining the water soluble sized salt suspended in the saturated brine solution. If desired or necessary a fluid loss control agent may be added to enhance the fluid loss control or filtration control of the completion fluid.The invention may be practiced by pumping or discharging the fluid or a slug or pill of the fluid into an oil, gas, water, injection or storage well where operations are to be conducted in which it is desired to temporarily plug the permeable zone while such operations are carried out.

Abstract: A non-damaging well drilling fluid contains a polysaccharide, a lignosulfonate, chrome sulfate, a pH modifier and, preferably, graded calcium carbonate and starch. The fluid is effective to seal off the well bore essentially immediately and is non-damaging in that it causes little permanent plugging of the formation by loss of the drilling fluid solids to the formation.