Control of corrosion and scaling in geothermal systems

Objective

The aim of the programme is to resolve the problems caused by corrosion and scaling in the exploitation of low and high enthalpy geothermal systems.

The increased costs resulting from these problems decrease the profitability of the projects and, in certain cases, can be inimical to the development of the uses of geothermal energy.
The geothermal plants most concerned are those currently operating in the Paris Basin in France, at Larderello in Italy and in Greece, and those in the planning stage in these countries.
The mechanisms of corrosion and the formation of scale are in general similar, even when the geothermal fluids have different physicochemical characteristics. The regrouping of teams allow better use of resources and more rapid transfer of the results.
The immediate objectives of the programme are
(i) to determine the conditions under which corrosion takes place and which lead to the formation and growth of scale (iron sulphide, calcium carbonate, silica, lead sulphide) and
(ii) to develop predictive models.
This will lead on to the design of processes for industrial application to control corrosion and scaling, using inhibitors of corrosion and crystal growth, vapour-cleaning systems and treatment of condensates before injection.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › materials engineering › crystals
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › inorganic compounds
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › alkaline earth metals
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › renewable energy › geothermal energy

Programme(s)

• FP3-JOULE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0305 - Geothermal energy

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)

Address

Avenue Du Concyr
45060 Orléans
France

Participants (5)

Centre Belge d'Etude de la Corrosion

Belgium

Address

Avenue P.héger
1050 Bruxelles

Consorzio Pisa Ricerche

Italy

Address

Piazza Alessandro D'ancona 1
56127 Pisa

ENEL - Società per Azioni

Italy

Address

Via Andrea Pisano 120
56122 Pisa

FOUNDATION OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY - HELLAS

Greece

Address

6th Km, Charilaou - Thermi Road
57001 Thessaloniki

Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas

Greece

Address

Stadiou 18, Platani
26500 Patras