Study of calcite scaling and corrosion processes in geothermal systems

Prediction of scaling in geothermal systems is important in order to be abl e to take preventive action. Scaling and corrosion processes are correlated in geothermal systems so that the factors influencing both processes are d iscussed in this paper. Pilot-scale equipment to model dissolution and scal ing, and investigate corrosion, has been constructed. The construction of t he pilot-scale equipment and the design of the experiments were based on th e results of earlier laboratory model experiments. In order to check the me asurement results we used a computer programe that was developed earlier, a nd which is suitable for the calculation of the equilibrium solubilities. B ased on the results of the equilibrium experiments, we developed a modellin g method for scaling in the pilot-scale equipment, and studied corrosion du ring scaling on the surfaces of five different structural materials. (C) 20 00 CNR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.