Materials selection guidelines for geothermal power systems. First edition

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6356102

DeBerry, D W; Ellis, P F; Thomas, C C

Nine potential power cycles are defined and diagrammed for the generation of electricity from geothermal fluids. General fluid properties that influence the applicability of power cycles to a particular geothermal resource are discussed. The corrosivity of individual process streams in power cycles is described based on variations in chemical composition and temperature. Results of materials performance tests are analyzed based on the chemical composition of the corrosive medium and physical factors such as temperature, duration of exposure, and fluid velocity. The key chemical components in geothermal fluids that are significant in determining corrosivity are identified. Both summarized and detailed results of materials performance tests in U.S. liquid-dominated resources are given. Seven U.S. liquid-dominated KGRA's are classified according to relative corrosiveness and their key chemical components are defined. The various forms and mechanisms of corrosive attack that can occur in geothermal process streams are described. The application of nonmetallic materials in geothermal environments is discussed. The appendices contain information on (1) operating experience at geothermal power plants, (2) corrosion in desalination facilities, (3) reliability of geothermal plants, (4) elastomeric materials, (5) comparative alloy costs, and (6) geothermal equipment manufacturers. (MHR)

• Research Organization: Radian Corp., Austin, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EG-77-C-04-3904
• OSTI ID: 6356102
• Report Number(s): ALO-3904-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BRINES
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
MATERIALS
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
CEMENTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONCRETE-PLASTIC COMPOSITES
COPPER BASE ALLOYS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANCE
EAST MESA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
ELASTOMERS
FIELD TESTS
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
HOT-WATER SYSTEMS
KGRA
LONG VALLEY
MATERIALS TESTING
NEVADA
NEW MEXICO
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
THERMOPLASTICS
TITANIUM
TITANIUM ALLOYS
USA
ALLOYS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CONVERSION
COPPER ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
IDAHO
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
METALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
POWER PLANTS
SOUTHWEST REGION
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WESTERN REGION
Geothermal Legacy