In the last years geothermal power has become a reliable and significant energy source. Because service conditions in geothermal facilities from deeply located aquifers are critical in terms of corrosion, materials selection is a very important issue. Preliminary evaluation of the materials suitability represents therefore a valuable strategy to ensure a secure and reliable operation of the facilities. In geothermal applications, the use of high-alloyed materials such as superaustenitic stainless steels, and nickel-based alloys has been considered as a good alternative because of their remarkable corrosion resistance and appropriate mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the corrosion behavior of those metallic materials in geothermal fluids at service conditions has not been determined in many cases. In this work, laboratory tests including electrochemical investigations and exposure tests at 100 °C and 150 °C (1,500 kPa) showed the limits of suitability concerning localized corrosion of three different, corrosion-resistant alloys in the highly saline fluid of the North German Basin.
Within the project COORAL (German acronym for 'CO2 purity for capture and storage') first studies on piping steels exposed to CO2 and artificial brine with high chloride concentration have been carried out. Corrosion behavior of martensitic Cr13 steel (1.4034) was investigated in a corrosive environment (artificial saline brine, T = 60 °C, CO2-flow rate 3 – 5 L/h, atmospheric pressure, exposure times from 1 h up to 14 days) using electrochemical and metallographic techniques. Different corrosion kinetics were observed as a function of exposure times and chloride concentration in the artificial brine. In CO2-saturated brine pitting corrosion was observed at free corrosion potential, whereas in the brine without addition of NaCl a stable passive layer built up. Predictions about corrosion mechanism are made and verified by means of surface analytical techniques.
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.
This study aims to evaluate which of the materials currently available on the market could overcome the Problem of corrosion and withstand highly aggressive conditions in the exploitation of geothermal resources in volcanic environments. Our investigations were triggered by the conditions on Lahendong geothermal field (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): well LHD-23 presents one of the greatest challenges due to its capacity of producing > 20 MWe of energy from a single well and in the same time having very low pH (2-3) and relatively high Chloride (1,500 mg/L) and sulphate (1,600 mg/L) concentration. Three different Steel grades (low-alloyed Steel UNS G41300, stainless Steel UNS S31603 and high-alloyed stainless Steel UNS N08031) were selected, and their corrosion behavior was evaluated by means of short-term electrochemical methods (potentiodynamic polarization) and long-term exposure tests (up to 6 months). The research was carried out in the laboratory under stagnant conditions in the artificial LHD-23 geothermal brine (1,500 mg/L Chlorides, 1,600 mg/L sulphates, pH 2) at 100 °C (100 kPa) and 175 °C (900 kPa), simulating the conditions present at the site.
Corrosion resistance of high-alloyed and alternative materials in an artificial geothermal water
(2014)
Many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy, which became a feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel supply. Nevertheless, service conditions in geothermal facilities are due to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids and involved high temperatures, in many cases, extreme in terms of corrosion. Therefore, materials selection based on preliminary material qualification is essential to guarantee a secure and reliable operation of the facilities.
This contribution deals with the evaluation of the corrosion behavior of two high-alloyed metallic materials and α-Al2O3 in an artificial geothermal fluid simulating the conditions in the Northern German Basin, a location with high geothermal potential. The suitability of the super austenitic stainless steel UNS N08031 and the nickel base alloy UNS N06059 in this geothermal fluid obtained by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests is addressed. As an alternative to the suitable but costly UNS N06059 that showed excellent corrosion resistance against pitting corrosion, ceramic made of α-Al2O3 represents an interesting possibility for selected components to be used in the construction of geothermal facilities
The corrosion behaviour of martensitic stainless injection-pipeline steel X46Cr13 exposed to CO2 saturated artificial saline brine with high chloride concentration similar to onshore CCS-site at Ketzin, Germany has been investigated by means of electrochemical technique and microscopic observations at short exposure times (up to 24?h) and by mass loss and metallographic observations at exposure times up to 17520?h. Pitting corrosion kinetics has been characterised and the predictions about the corrosion mechanism are made.
In engineering storage sites for Carbon Sequestration the CO2-induced corrosion of injection pipe steels is a relevant safety issue when emission gasses are compressed in deep geological layers. The reliability of the steels suitable for the geological onshore CCS-site (Carbon Capture and Storage) at Ketzin, Germany, is demonstrated in laboratory experiments in equivalent corrosive environment (T = 60 °C, p = 160 bar, aquifer water, CO2-flow rate of 3 L/h, 7008000 h exposure time). Corrosion kinetics and microstructures were characterized using specimens of the heat treated steel 42CrMo4 (1.7225) used for casing, and specimens of the martensitic stainless injection-pipe steel X46Cr13 (1.4034).
Since geothermal wells are a feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel supply, many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy. Nevertheless, service conditions in geothermal facilities are due to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids and temperatures, in many cases, extreme in terms of corrosion. Therefore, materials selection based on preliminary material qualification is essential to guarantee a secure and reliable operation of the facilities.
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 carbon steel 25CrMo4, stainless steels X2CrNiMo17-12-2, X2CrNiMo-22-5, X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 and super austenitic steel X1CrNiMoCu32-28-7 in these geothermal fluids obtained by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests is limited. The nickel alloy NiCr23Mo16Al shows an 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 25CrMo4 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in stagnant highly acidic non saline environments, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.
Since geothermal wells are a feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel supply, many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy. Nevertheless, service conditions in geothermal facilities are due to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids and temperatures, in many cases, extreme in terms of corrosion.
Therefore, materials selection based on preliminary material qualification is essential to guarantee a secure and reliable operation of the facilities. 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 carbon steel 25CrMo4, stainless steels X2CrNiMo17-12-2, X2CrNiMo-22-5, X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 and super austenitic steel X1CrNiMoCu32-28-7 in these geothermal fluids obtained by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests is limited. The nickel alloy NiCr23Mo16Al shows an 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 lowalloyed steel 25CrMo4 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in stagnant highly acidic non Saline environments, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.
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.
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.
Geothermal energy is an interesting alternative to polluting fossil energy sources. Therefore, in Belgium, two wells have been drilled for a deep geothermal power plant. However, the environment to which the installations are exposed is challenging. The geothermal brine has 165 g/l total dissolved solids (of which 90% are sodium and chlorine) and the production temperature can be up to 130 °C. To assess their suitability to be used in a geothermal power plant, the corrosivity of the artificial brine to three common construction materials was investigated with exposure and electrochemical tests. The metals under consideration are a low-alloyed carbon steel (S235JR), an austenitic stainless steel (UNS S31603) and a duplex stainless steel (UNS S31803). The carbon steel, that was found to corrode uniformly, could be considered as a constructional material if a sufficient wall thickness is chosen. The austenitic stainless steel and the duplex stainless steel demonstrate very low uniform
corrosion rates. They are however susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion. To guarantee safe operation of the geothermal power plant, the susceptibility of the alloys to stress corrosion cracking should be tested and in situ experiments should be performed.