Geothermal sources are found to be the most aggressive natural environments for construction materials in terms of corrosion. This study was focused on investigating the suitability of stainless steel UNS S31603 in volcanic areas of geothermal sites Sibayak and Lahendong (Indonesia). Influence of different factors (temperatures up to 175 °C, chloride content up to 1500 mg/L and pH down to 2) was assessed to determine a 'safe operating window' of a power plant and assure the system integrity. Investigations were performed by means of electrochemical methods and long-term exposure tests.
The corrosion behavior of carbon Steel and different high-alloyed metals including duplex and austenitic stainless steels as well as a nickel alloy have been evaluated in artificial geothermal fluids simulating the conditions in some locations with geothermal potential in Germany, as well as two sites in Indonesia.
The suitability of low alloyed Steel UNS G41300, stainless steels UNS S31603 UNS S31803, UNS S32760 and super austenitic Steel UNSN08031 in these geothermal waters, investigated by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests, is limited. The nickel based alloy UNS N06059 shows excellent corrosion resistance against pitting corrosion. Excluding its high cost, it is a very good alternative to be used in the construction of geothermal facilities having highly sahne brines. Stainless and duplex steels exhibit a limited corrosion resistance concerning pitting and crevice corrosion.
Besides the higher alloyed materials, also the low-alloyed Steel UNS G41300 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in non-saline environments with moderate pH, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.
The corrosion behavior of different high-alloyed metals including duplex and austenitic stainless steels as well as a nickel alloy have been evaluated in artificial geothermal fluids simulating the conditions in some locations with geothermal potential in Germany as well as two sites in Indonesia.
The suitability of low alloyed steel UNS G41300, stainless steels UNS S31603 UNS S31803, UNS S32760 and super austenitic steel UNS N08031 in these geothermal fluids, investigated by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests, is limited. The nickel based alloy UNS N06059 shows excellent corrosion resistance against pitting corrosion. Excluding its high cost, it is a very good alternative to be used in the construction of geothermal facilities having highly saline brines. Stainless and duplex steels exhibit a limited corrosion resistance concerning pitting and crevice corrosion.
Beside of the higher alloyed materials, also the low-alloyed steel UNS G41300 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in non-saline environments, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.