INTERFACES BETWEEN GEOTHERMAL BRINE-INDUCED SCALES AND SIC-FILLED POLYMER LININGS

Silicon carbide (SiC) grit-filled polymeric materials with high therma l conductivity can be used to line carbon-steel heat-exchanger tubes i n geothermal power plants at moderate temperatures and to improve resi stance to corrosion. The susceptibility of ester groups within the pol ymers to a reaction with Ba, which is among the chemical ingredients o f some geothermal brines, is a critical issue for this lining material because of the formation of Ba-complexed carboxylate hydrolysates. Su ch hydrolysates promote the deposition of brine-induced scales. (C) 19 98 CNR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.