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Description: Hypersaline brines and supersaturated steam form geothermal resource areas can have high levels of total dissolved solids and can lead to generation of solid wastes in geothermal resource areas can have high levels of total dissolved solids and can lead to generation of solid wastes in geothermal power plants. Consequently, the waste must be analyzed for regulated metals in order to comply with regulatory requirements. If the waste contains toxic metals, it must be disposed of in an approved waste management facility.

Biochemical processes have been developed for treating the waste in order to avoid the high cost of hazardous waste disposal and the long-term liability associated with those wastes.

Commercial and Technical Merit: Environmentally acceptable methods for using and disposing of toxic metals found in the waste and concert them to soluble species for subsequent reinjection into the source, or concentration for recovery and sale. The biochemical activities of these organisms have led to processes for detoxification of the wastes.

Competitive Advantage: This new biotechnology can significantly reduce the costs of surface disposal of the sludges derived from geothermal energy production. The process can dissolve, separate, or immobilize hazardous metals and then convert the by-products into useful forms. Concentration and recovery of commercially significant metals is possible.

Development Status: Laboratory studies are ongoing. Pilot scale tests are planned. A field will begin in 1995.

Inventors: Eugene Premuzic, Mow Lin

Patent Status: U.S. Patent 5,366,891

License Status: Available non-exclusively