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.
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.
This contribution deals with the evaluation of the corrosion behavior of duplex steel S31803 (318LN, X2CrNiMoN22-5-3, 1.4462) conducted by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests in artificial geothermal waters simulating the conditions in different locations with geothermal potential in Germany.
The duplex steel S31803 shows limited suitability for applications in artificial geothermal waters due to its susceptibility to pitting and crevice corrosion.
For low saline geothermal waters it can be considered suitable at moderate temperatures. Slight crevice corrosion susceptibility needs to be considered.
Results are being incorporated into a materials catalogue for geothermal applications which shall provide basic information for designers and users of geothermal facilities.