A case study of Pb-scaling in a geothermal project in the West Netherlands Basin
N. Essaf (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
K.H.A.A. Wolf – Mentor (TU Delft - Applied Geophysics and Petrophysics)
A.A.A. Hussain – Mentor (TU Delft - Applied Geophysics and Petrophysics)
Han Claringbould – Graduation committee member
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Abstract
This research was done in the framework of the RVO project on Development of a well impairment model for predicting geothermal clogging (DIMOPREC) .
The importance of developing new energy sources with lower carbon emissions than conventional hydrocarbon based energy sources has been globally recognized (Andrews-Speed, 2016). Geothermal energy is a lower carbon energy source, which can be used for both electricity production and for direct heat use (Fridleifsson, 2001).
However, radioactive mineral scaling can accumulate in filters and tubing of the geothermal facilities, which can be an operational hurdle as this scale needs to be removed with necessary caution. The problem is not only the riskiness of being exposed to radioactive elements, but also the rise in pressure caused by scale accumulation. This occurs at the filters resulting in more process stops. Another problem with the scaling is that it causes increasing injection pressure. Since there is a regulatory limit to this pressure, an increase in injectivity is not preferable. Here, a case of a low-enthalpy geothermal project is discussed where very limited radioactive galena, PbS, is found.
This geothermal system is modelled in the geochemical software package PHREEQC. The PHREEQC model shows that a fraction (78 wt.%) of the collected galena is produced in solid phase from the reservoir, and a smaller fraction (22 wt.%) is formed after the heat exchanger. Gamma ray logs analyses and sedimentation history are presented to find potential sources of Pb and S ions. With the geological history and literature study it is found that the radioactive Pb could be originated from the Zechstein and Rotliegend where it attaches strong to the Copper shale formations. Scale and water analysis show that most of the captured galena is transported in a solid phase into the geothermal facility.
In the second part we discuss the development of a SKID for scaling determination during geothermal production. It is proposed to design a new SKID with additional measurement and monitoring options, which is able to provide the requested input parameters for the PFREEQC model. Requested data acquisition for long term monitoring includes fluid pressure, flowrate, temperature and pH values. The mobile function makes it possible to sample at several surface locations along the line of the geothermal facility. The obtained and stored data can be analyzed and compared to other locations in order to find out whether or not the brine and its composition change, and if so, how it changes
In order to reduce the amount of radioactive PbS in the filters of the geothermal system, it could be considered to acidify the brine to a level where the minerals are dissolved. In addition, increasing the facility pressure and/or increasing the minimum brine temperature after the heat exchanger, could reduce the amount of galena precipitation captured in the filters of the geothermal facility.