Patent · US Expired

Process for using sludge from geothermal brine to make concrete and concrete composition

US4761182A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
5References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 1987
Grant dateAug 2, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S588/901
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process is provided for using silicious sludge (filter cake), obtained by precipitation of silica from silica-rich geothermal brine, to make a concrete material (geocrete). The process includes combining the sludge with a cementing material, such as portland cement and/or flyash and activating the cementing material with an activating media. When portland cement is used as the cementing material, the activating media is water. In such case, the sludge is preferably dewatered and the residual water content is determined, the entrapped brine adding to the water content of the mixture. Preferably, the dry weight ratio of sludge to cementing material is about 2:1 to about 3:1; although, ratios as high as 9:1 can be used when high strength of the geocrete is not required. The preferred amount of water used is about 40 weight percent, including water content of the sludge, which may typically be between about 10 and about 30 weight percent. The sludge may contain hazardous or toxic materials which precipitate from the brine with the silica and which are present in the entrapped brine; therefore, the sludge may be water washed before use to flush out residual brine and some contaminants…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.