The GE and Penrice consortium has formed an agreement with Australian coal seam gas producer QGC to design, build and operate a brine pilot plant at Penrice's chemical works in Osborne, South Australia.
The aim of the project is to investigate the technical and commercial viability of the brine pilot plant in producing products such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride from final brine streams.
Penrice managing director and CEO Guy Roberts said that the brine pilot plant will treat the coal seam gas brine and produce saleable chemicals.
The brine plant is scheduled to be on-line in early 2012.
