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Thomas, Burt

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas, Burt.

NEWTS Integrated Dataset (version 1.0)

The National Energy Water Treatment and Speciation (NEWTS) Integrated Dataset v1.0 provides water researchers, community leaders, and regulators with a unified and standardized energy-related wastewater stream database. This resource is derived from 27 state and federal entities, and scientific publications, and contains more than 400,000 sample records, many of which also provide geospatial information. The dataset includes data for several different energy-related wastewater types including produced water, other oil and gas wastewaters, mine drainage, coal ash leachate, and power plant wastewater. The NEWTS Integrated Dataset was built to support environmentally prudent decision-making, explore treatment opportunities, and identify potential critical mineral sources. A subset of this novel resource is also featured on NETL NEWTS State-Level Database Dashboard. Additional data can be found in the NEWTS EDX Group and the NEWTS Federal Database Dashboard.

abandoned mine drainage↗

NEWTS State-Level Database Dashboard

The National Energy Water Treatment and Speciation (NEWTS) State-Level Database Dashboard enables quick visualization and exploration of energy-related wastewater data collected from state environmental agencies and research projects across the United States. The dashboard features a subset of the NEWTS Integrated Dataset (version 1.0), which was built to provide stakeholders with a unified and standardized database to support wastewater treatment and critical minerals exploration. The full NEWTS Integrated Dataset and citations for the original data resources can be found here: https://edx.netl.doe.gov/dataset/newts-integrated-dataset-version-1-0

abandoned mine drainage↗

Critical mineral source potential from oil & gas produced waters in the United States

The volume of produced water, a by-product of oil & gas operations and other energy processes, has been growing across the United States (U.S.) along with the need to manage or recycle this wastewater. Produced water contains many naturally occurring elements of varying concentrations, including critical minerals which are essential to the clean energy transition. However, the current understanding of critical mineral concentrations in produced water and the associated volumes across the U.S. is limited. This study has assessed available databases and literature to gain insight into the presence and concentration of five high priority critical minerals, namely cobalt, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and nickel. The U.S. Geological Survey's National Produced Waters Geochemical Database was the main data source used for determining average critical mineral concentrations in produced water from the major oil and gas reservoirs in the U.S. The volumes of produced water for these major reservoirs were coupled with these concentrations to provide insights into where critical minerals are likely to have high abundance and therefore more recovery options. The analysis indicated the highest recovery potential for lithium and magnesium from produced water in the Permian basin and the Marcellus shale region. However, these assessments should be considered conservative due to the limited availability of reliable concentration data. Finally, it is expected more critical mineral recovery options could emerge with comprehensive characterization data from more recent and representative sources of produced water.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NEWTS Database Dashboard

The NEWTS (National Energy Water Treatment and Speciation) database dashboard displays sites across the nation where energy-related wastewater stream samples and composition data have been collected. Using the dashboard, community leaders and the public will be able to quickly explore and obtain sample data from locations displayed on a map where various government agencies collect and analyze water samples from energy-related wastewater streams.

Aqueous Chemistry↗

Quillinan, et al 2018 DOE Geothermal Technology Office REE Report for NEWTS Database and Case Studies

Produced water data processed into the NEWTS data format for easy input into aqueous chemistry modeling software, including oil & gas and coal bed methane produced waters, and geothermal waters. Includes information on rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals (CMs). Case studies are included to demonstrate solved streams using aqueous chemistry software. An input template is provided for modeling stream data in OLI Studio. Original data from: Quillinan, Scott, Nye, Charles, Engle, Mark, Bartos, Timothy T., Neupane, Ghanashyam, Brant, Jonathan, Bagdonas, Davin, McLing, Travis, McLaughlin, J. Fred, Phillips, Erin, Hallberg, Laura L., Shahabadi, Mahdi, and Johnson, Matthew. Assessing rare earth element concentrations in geothermal and oil and gas produced waters: A potential domestic source of strategic mineral commodities (Final Report). United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.2172/1509037.

Aqueous Chemistry↗

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Eion Corp (AGMT-1287)

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Eion Carbon (Participant) will collaborate in the development of critical metals (CM) extraction from mafic feedstocks prior to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) removal (CDR) strategies. Mafic/ultramafic feedstocks may provide a source of energy relevant CM (e.g. Co, Cu, Ni, REE) in addition to reducing atmospheric CO 2 through enhanced weathering and subsequent ocean alkalinity enhancement. This research will identify candidate feedstocks with salable CM and methods for CM extraction as value added byproducts for the principal intended use of these alkaline feedstocks by Eion as a permanent CDR approach on farmland.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On a Unified Core Characterization Methodology to Support the Systematic Assessment of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals Bearing Unconventional Carbon Ores and Sedimentary Strata

A significant gap exists in our understanding and ability to predict the spatial occurrence and extent of rare earth elements (REE) and certain critical minerals (CM) in sedimentary strata. This is largely due to a lack of existing, systematic, and well-distributed REE and CM samples and analyses in United States sedimentary basins. In addition, the type of sampling and characterization performed to date has generally lacked the resolution and approach required to constrain geologic and geographic heterogeneities typical of subsurface, mineral resources. Here, we describe a robust and systematic method for collecting core scale characterization data that can be applied to studies on the contextual and spatial attributes, the geologic history, and lithostratigraphy of sedimentary basins. The methods were developed using drilled cores from coal bearing sedimentary strata in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming (PRB). The goal of this effort is to create a unified core characterization methodology to guide systematic collection of key data to achieve a foundation of spatially and geologically constrained REEs and CMs. This guidance covers a range of measurement types and methods that are each useful either individually or in combination to support characterization and delineation of REE and CM occurrences. The methods herein, whether used in part or in full, establish a framework to guide consistent acquisition of geological, geochemical, and geospatial datasets that are key to assessing and validating REE and CM occurrences from geologic sources to support future exploration, assessment, and techno-economic related models and analyses.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Carbon Ore Resources Database (CORD)

The Carbon Ore Resources Database (CORD) is a working collection of 399 data files associated with carbon ore resources in the United States. The collection includes spatial/non-spatial, filtered, processed, and secondary data files with original data acquisition efforts focused on domestic coal resources. The current version 1.0 is on NETL ArcGIS Enterprise.

Carbon Ore↗