Suppressed ion chromatography for monitoring chemical impurities in steam for geothermal power plants.
A suppressed ion chromatography (IC) technique has been evaluated as a chemical monitoring tool for detecting major anions (F-, Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-)) of condensed steam in geothermal power plants. It is shown that the suppressed IC technique provides a suitable means for preventing possible damage to generating equipment in the geothermal industry. An electrical conductivity detector (0.1 microS sensitivity) with an anion-exchange column (IonPac AS4A-SC), a micro-membrane suppressor (AMMS II), and an isocratic high-pressure pump system were successfully used for detecting low concentrations of inorganic anions. Method detection limits for the anions of interest were <0.184 mg/L. Details of the IC methodology as well as some experimental results obtained during its application for the chemical monitoring of geothermal steam pipes are also described.
Santoyo
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Centro de Investigacíon en Energía (UNAM), Temixco, Mor., Mexico. esg@cie.unam.mx
Verma
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Sandoval
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Aparicio
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García
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R
D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D011210:Power Plants; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013227:Steam / Q000032:analysis*
D013227:Steam