Hi all, I'm going to separate and recover various salts from brine. The method to achieve this goal is using from fractional crystallization. My main goal is recovery of magnesium chloride. How do I use this program to predict above process?
Composition of brine sample:
Cations: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+
Anions: Sulphate, Cl-, carbonate
I have done exactly this (precipitation through evaporation) using PHREEQC in my 2011 publication in Geology, with the same ions in solution. The PREEQC script and results are described in the Data Repository of my 2011 paper (attached/linked). When doing this, don't forget to use the pitzer database instead of any of the other databases. Only the pitzer database can handle ionic strengths of greater than about 1-3 M.
I assume that doing this through cooling won't be very difficult either, but I've never tried this...
Any questions, just e-mail me.
Pieter
Article The role of SO4 in the switch from calcite to aragonite seas
Data bots et al. 2011 - data repository
Highly concentrated solutions can be modeled in PHREEQC (better with PhreeqcI interface, the current version is 3.3; http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GWC_coupled/phreeqci/) by using only the Pitzer activity coefficients database. In one example is shown and described the procedure for modeling of the fractional crystallization (Example 4a). Without the actual composition of the initial solution is modelling not possible.
FYI, it doesn't matter if you use the PhreeqcI interface or the notepad++ interface. I suggest using the notepad++ interface. It's less "user friendly", but with the PhreeqcI interface it's more likely that you have absolutely no idea what you're doing and make silly mistakes.
Exactly what I said in my first answer.
If you didn't know this before: you can do exactly the same in the Notepad++ interface as in the PhreeqcI interface, including choosing the database. What I always suggest is to use the notepad++ database because it forces you to think what you put into the model rather than randomly click buttons without understanding how the model actually works.
Hello friends.
The problem is that I am a beginner. For some time now I have been familiar with this software and so far I have not used it. I must master the fundamentals. what is your opinion? How to get to know the basics of using it?
Whether it enough using of "Help" in this software or I need other informations?
thank you.
Hello. Both installations contain very extensive manual in PDF and many functional examples. It's not too didactic approach, but for understanding the principles is probably best to start with those examples, mainly EX1, 2, 3, etc. is essential. Look on the input file, results, then you may replace the chemical composition with actual datas etc. Both, imput a output files is in the text format.
Hi All, I was performing a simulation of brine evaporation with PHREEQC in two ways: fractional and equilibrium crystallization. I have developed the PHREEQC script somehow similar to Pieter Bots et al 2011 (Geology). Could you please help me in defining the PHREEQC script for example (1) trona to be removed from the solution as it precipitate (fractional crystalization) and (2) trona to remain in solution after precipitation so that it will be allowed to redissolve (equilibrium crystallization)? I think for fractional crystallization, EQUILIBRIUM_PHASES trona 0 0 seem to work.
Thank you!