NZ615602B2 - Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device - Google Patents

Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
NZ615602B2
NZ615602B2 NZ615602A NZ61560212A NZ615602B2 NZ 615602 B2 NZ615602 B2 NZ 615602B2 NZ 615602 A NZ615602 A NZ 615602A NZ 61560212 A NZ61560212 A NZ 61560212A NZ 615602 B2 NZ615602 B2 NZ 615602B2
Authority
NZ
New Zealand
Prior art keywords
geothermal water
water
scale
geothermal
concentration
Prior art date
Application number
NZ615602A
Other versions
NZ615602A (en
Inventor
Yoshitaka Kawahara
Kuniyuki Takahashi
Original Assignee
Fuji Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fuji Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Fuji Electric Co Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/JP2012/055545 external-priority patent/WO2012144277A1/en
Publication of NZ615602A publication Critical patent/NZ615602A/en
Publication of NZ615602B2 publication Critical patent/NZ615602B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/008—Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/20—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/66—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by neutralisation; pH adjustment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/001—Upstream control, i.e. monitoring for predictive control
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
    • C02F2209/006—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC] comprising a software program or a logic diagram
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/02—Temperature
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/06—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment pH
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/40—Liquid flow rate
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/10—Energy recovery
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/22—Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F5/00—Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/08—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F5/00—Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/08—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/083—Mineral agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F5/00—Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/08—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/10—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F5/00—Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/08—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/10—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances
    • C02F5/12—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances containing nitrogen
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F5/00—Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/08—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
    • C02F5/10—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances
    • C02F5/14—Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances containing phosphorus
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
    • C09K8/52—Compositions for preventing, limiting or eliminating depositions, e.g. for cleaning
    • C09K8/528—Compositions for preventing, limiting or eliminating depositions, e.g. for cleaning inorganic depositions, e.g. sulfates or carbonates
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
    • E21B37/06—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells using chemical means for preventing or limiting, e.g. eliminating, the deposition of paraffins or like substances
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
    • F01K23/00—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
    • F01K27/00—Plants for converting heat or fluid energy into mechanical energy, not otherwise provided for
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/04—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24T—GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
    • F24T10/00—Geothermal collectors
    • F24T10/30—Geothermal collectors using underground reservoirs for accumulating working fluids or intermediate fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F19/00—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/10—Geothermal energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
    • Y02W10/30—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies

Abstract

geothermal power generating device is disclosed. The geothermal power generating device comprises an inorganic cation concentration measuring device (see 22, figure 1), a flowmeter (see 30, figure 1), a heat removal unit (see 17, figure 1), a thermometer (see 31, figure 1), a pH measuring device (see 32, figure 1), a calculation processing unit (see 28, figure 1), and a control unit (see 29, figure 1). The inorganic concentration measuring device measures the concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water collected from a production well (see 10, figure 1). The flowmeter measures the flow rate of the geothermal water collected from the production well. The heat removal unit is provided for lowering the temperature of the geothermal water. The thermometer measures the temperature of the geothermal water after removing heat. The pH measuring device measures the pH of the geothermal water after removing heat. The calculation processing unit obtains a saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water and calculates an addition amount of a scale-inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic cations. The control unit then adds the scale-inhibiting agent to the geothermal water by the amount calculated by the calculation processing unit. A method for inhibiting scale is also disclosed. see 32, figure 1), a calculation processing unit (see 28, figure 1), and a control unit (see 29, figure 1). The inorganic concentration measuring device measures the concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water collected from a production well (see 10, figure 1). The flowmeter measures the flow rate of the geothermal water collected from the production well. The heat removal unit is provided for lowering the temperature of the geothermal water. The thermometer measures the temperature of the geothermal water after removing heat. The pH measuring device measures the pH of the geothermal water after removing heat. The calculation processing unit obtains a saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water and calculates an addition amount of a scale-inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic cations. The control unit then adds the scale-inhibiting agent to the geothermal water by the amount calculated by the calculation processing unit. A method for inhibiting scale is also disclosed.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION SCALE TION METHOD AND GEOTHERMAL POWER GENERATING DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention s to a method for inhibiting scale containing calcium and other inorganic cations, and a geothermal power generation device in which precipitation of the scale is inhibited and power is generated using geothermal water.
BACKGROUND ART In geothermal power generation, emperature geothermal water is collected from a production well and steam is separated from the geothermal water to produce power. The geothermal water from which steam has been separated is returned into the ground from an injection well.
Geothermal water collected from a production well contains more calcium and other inorganic cations, and ved silica than does well water and river water.
The geothermal water collected from a production well is at a high temperature. The ature of the geothermal water is reduced in a flashing step for extracting steam from the geothermal water by decompression, and inorganic cations and dissolved silica are concentrated. The geothermal water is gradually cooled as it is distributed through the piping in the power generation plant, and solubility of the inorganic cations and dissolved silica is reduced. When the silica contained in the geothermal water enters a supersaturated state, it polymerizes to form amorphous silica, which then precipitates Out as silica scale. The inorganic cations form carbonates or other salts and precipitate out. This scale is deposited on the inner wall of piping and the like of the power tion device, and the piping is liable to blocked or ise obstructed.
Conventionally, the acid is added to the geothermal water to reduce the pH and inhibit the precipitation of silica scale, as described in, e.g., patent document 1. The polymerization rate of silica is slowed as the pH is reduced, and ng the pH of geothermal water therefore reduces the polymerization rate of silica and makes the precipitation of silica scale less likely to occur in the piping of a geothermal power generation device.
A al solution has conventionally been injected into the production well to inhibit precipitation of calcium ate, anhydrites, ium silicate, and other salts of inorganic cations in the production well, as described in patent document 2.
[Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid—Open Patent Application No. 6-304595 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid—Open Patent Application No. 5—195684 Since it is merely that the polymerization rate of silica is reduced when the pH of geothermal water is d, the itation of silica scale is not always sufficiently reduced in the case that time is required when the geothermal water is returned to the injection well. Also, piping and the like are susceptible to acid—induced corrosion. rmore, scale composed of anhydrites and the like are liable to precipitate out in the case that sulfuric acid is used as the acid.
On the other hand, the solubility of amorphous silica ses in commensurate fashion with alkalinity, and the increase is particularly rapid at a pH of 8 or higher.
Accordingly, increasing the pH 0: geothermal water can inhibit the itation of silica scale.
However, silica and inorganic cations form salts and precipitate out as scale as the pH of the geothermal water becomes more alkaline.
[OOll] Ad126<9623105_1yn43[xdah In contrast, injecting a chemical solution for ting scale into the production well to remove inorganic cations contained in the geothermal water makes it possible to inhibit itation of salts of silica and nic cations, as described in patent document 2, but geothermal water contains large quantities of inorganic cations, so costs are increased and it is difficult to operate a geothermal power plant in an ical manner if an attempt is made to remove all inorganic s in the geothermal water.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method for inhibiting scale according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a water inflow measurement step for measuring a flow rate and a concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water ted from a production well; a heat removal step for removing heat from the geothermal water; a water outflow measurement step for measuring a temperature and a pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step; AH26(9623 l05_l )1MSD:da.h a scale—inhibiting agent addition amount calculation step for obtaining a saturation concentration of inorganic s in the geothermal water after the heat removal step on the basis of the temperature and the pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step, and calculating an addition amount of a scale—inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic cations from the flow rate of the geothermal water and a value ed by subtracting the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step from the inorganic cation concentration of the rmal water measured in the water inflow measurement step; and a scale-inhibiting agent addition step for adding the scale—inhibiting agent to the geothermal water collected from the production well, on the basis of the addition amount of scale—inhibiting agent ated in the scale—inhibiting agent addition amount calculation step.
In accordance with the method for inhibiting scale in an embodiment of the t invention, the flow rate and concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water ted from a AH26(9623105_I):MSD:dah production well are measured, and the temperature and pH of the geothermal water following the heat removal step are measured. The saturation concentration of nic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step is obtained on the basis of the temperature and pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step, and the addition amount of inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts ning the inorganic cations is ated from a value obtained by subtracting the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step from the inorganic cation concentration of the geothermal water measured in the water inflow measurement step, and from the flow rate of the geothermal water. A scale—inhibiting agent is added to the geothermal water collected from the production well, on the basis of the on amount of scale-inhibiting agent thus calculated. A scale—inhibiting agent corresponding to the amount of inorganic cations that is greater than the tion concentration and precipitates out can thereby be added to the geothermal water after the heat removal step, scale precipitation can be inhibited, and the addition amount of the scale-inhibiting agent can be kept to the minimum required.
In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that: water samples in which the inorganic cation concentration has been gradually increased be produced with the same silica concentration and pH as the geothermal water collected from the production well; the water samples be held for a predetermined length of time at the temperature following the heat removal step, and the inorganic cation concentration in the treated water be measured; and the concentration of the water samples when the inorganic cation concentration in the d water is initially less than the inorganic cation concentration of the water samples be used as the saturation concentration.
In ance with this aspect, the inorganic cation concentration in the water samples when the nic cation concentration in the treated water is initially less than the inorganic cation concentration of the water samples can be obtained, and it is thereby possible to obtain the saturation concentration at which precipitation of salts containing inorganic cations begins can be obtained. In the case that the silica concentration, pH, and temperature after the heat removal step ate, the saturation concentration is obtained in e under various conditions in which the silica concentration, pH, and ature after the heat removal step have been varied, and the tion concentration of the inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step can thereby be obtained on the basis of the temperature and pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step.
In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that the inorganic s be one or more species ed from magnesium ions, calcium ions, nt iron ions, ent iron ions, and aluminum ions. The above—noted inorganic cations all form salts that react with silica under alkaline conditions, that are difficult to dissolve, and that readily precipitate out. Therefore, there is an advantage in applying the method of an embodiment of the present invention.
In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that the pH of the geothermal water be adjusted to 9 or higher. The solubility of silica can be increased to t the occurrence of scale by setting the pH of the geothermal water to 9 or higher.
In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that an alkaline agent be added at the same time the inhibiting agent is added to the geothermal water or after the scale—inhibiting agent has been added to the geothermal water to adjust the pH to 9 or higher.
An alkaline agent is added at the same time the scale—inhibiting agent is added or after the scale—inhibiting agent has been added to the geothermal water to adjust the pH to 9 or higher, AH26(9623 [05_l):MSD:dah y making it possible to t precipitation of salts produced by inorganic cations by the addition of the alkaline agent.
In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that the heat removal step include a flashing step for ressing the geothermal water and extracting steam, and/or a step for recovering heat from the geothermal water to cause a power—generating medium to evaporate. In accordance with this aspect, the heat of geothermal water can be used to produce power. [0021: In the method for inhibiting scale according to the present invention, it is preferred that the geothermal water collected from the production well be separated into gas and liquid, steam obtained after gas—liquid separation be fed to a power tion facility, and the geothermal water after gas—liquid separation be sent to the heat removal step. In accordance with this aspect, heat can furthermore be recovered from the geothermal water after steam has been separated and power can be produced.
The geothermal power generation device according to another aspect of the present invention es: an inorganic cation concentration measuring device for ing a concentration of bivalent or more inorganic AH26(9623105_I).MSD:dah cations in geothermal water collected from a production well; a flow rate meter for measuring a flow rate of the geothermal water collected from the tion well; a heat removal unit for reducing the temperature of the geothermal water; a meter for measuring a temperature of the geothermal water after heat has been removed; a pH measuring device for measuring a pH of the geothermal water after heat has been removed; a calculation processing unit for obtaining a saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat removal unit on the basis of the temperature and the pH of the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat removal unit, and ating an addition amount of a scale-inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic cations from the flow rate of the geothermal water and a value obtained by subtracting the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the ature has been reduced in the heat removal unit from the inorganic cation concentration of the rmal water measured by the nic cation concentration measuring device; and a controller for adding the scale—inhibiting agent to the geothermal water-in the amount calculated by the calculation processing unit. {0023] In accordance with the geothermal power generation device of the present invention, in the calculation processing unit, the tion concentration of inorganic s in the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat l unit is obtained on the basis of the temperature measured by the thermometer and the pH measured by the pH measurement device. Next, the amount of inorganic cations predicted to precipitate out without intervention is calculated from the flow rate of the geothermal water and a value ed by subtracting the saturation concentration from the inorganic cation concentration measured by the inorganic cation concentration measuring device, and the addition amount of a inhibiting agent required to inhibit precipitation of the ted amount of inorganic cations is calculated. In the controller, the scale— inhibiting agent is added in the amount calculated in the calculation processing unit, whereby the addition amount of the scale—inhibiting agent can be kept to a required minimum while the precipitation of scale is inhibited.
In the geothermal power generation device according to the present invention, it is red that a gas—liquid separator be disposed in a stage prior to the heat removal unit, and the geothermal water after gas—liquid separation be introduced to the heat removal unit. In accordance with this , heat can be further recovered using rmal water from which steam for power generation has been collected.
It is preferred that heat removal unit of the geothermal power generation device according to the present invention be one or more species selected from piping for releasing heat, a flasher for extracting steam from the geothermal water by decompression, and a heat exchanger for ing heat to a power tion medium to cause the power generation medium to evaporate. In accordance with this aspect, steam can be separated from the geothermal water to produce power using a steam turbine, or a power generation medium can be made to evaporate using the heat of the geothermal water to produce power.
It is preferred that the geothermal power generation device according to the present invention, e: a solution reservoir unit for retaining a water sample; a temperature control unit for adjusting the ature of the water sample retained in the solution reservoir unit; a pH adjustment unit for adding acid or alkali to the water sample retained in the solution oir unit to adjust the pH; a concentration measurement unit for measuring a bivalent or more inorganic cation concentration in the water sample after a predetermined length of time has elapsed; and an inorganic cation saturation concentration measurement device having a solution supply unit for ng a water sample in which the inorganic cation concentration has been gradually increased and which is allowed to flow in sequential fashion into the solution oir unit. In accordance with this aspect, the pH and temperature of a water sample can be varied and the saturation concentration of inorganic cations under various pH and temperature ions can be measured in advance. Therefore, measuring the ature or pH of the geothermal water makes it possible to obtain the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water.
[Advantageous Effects of the ion] In accordance with the method for inhibiting scale of the present invention, a scale-inhibiting agent is added to geothermal water collected from a production well, on the basis of the addition amount of the scale—inhibiting agent calculated in the scale-inhibiting agent addition amount ation step, as bed above. Therefore, the scale— inhibiting agent can be added in accordance with the amount of inorganic cations that is equal to or greater than the saturation concentration in the geothermal water after the heat removal step and that precipitates out, the precipitation of scale can be inhibited, and the addition amount of scale— inhibiting agent can be kept to a required minimum.
Also, in accordance with the geothermal power generation device of the present invention, the amount of inorganic cations predicted to precipitate out without ention is calculated in the calculation processing unit and the addition amount of the scale—inhibiting agent required to inhibit itation of the predicted amount of inorganic cations is calculated. In the ller, the scale—inhibiting agent is added in the amount ated in the calculation processing unit, y the addition amount of the scale—inhibiting agent can be kept to a required minimum while the itation of scale is inhibited, and the power generation device can be economically operated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS is a schematic structural diagram of an ment of the geothermal power generation device according to the present invention; is a schematic structural diagram of an example of the inorganic cation saturation concentration measurement device used in the present invention; is a flowchart of an example of the method for measuring the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the present invention; is a chart showing the results of measuring the saturation concentration of calcium ions in specific conditions using the method of the present invention; is a chart showing the relationship between the solution pH and the saturation tration of calcium silicate; and is a chart showing the steps for adding a scale- inhibiting agent in an embodiment of the t invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the geothermal power generation device of the present invention will be described with reference to In geothermal water collected from a production well 10 is sent to a separator 11 by way of piping Ll. In the separator 11, geothermal water and steam are separated, the steam is sent to a first turbine 12 via piping L3, and power is ted by a first power generator 13. The separator 11 has a flashing function for decompressing the geothermal water and extracting steam. The steam that has passed h the first turbine 12 is sent to a condenser 14 via piping L4 to become condensed water, is then sent to a cooling tower 15 via piping L5 and cooled, and is returned to an injection well 16 via a pathway that is not depicted in the drawing. A portion of the water cooled in the cooling tower 15 is ed to the condenser 14 via piping L6 and is used as water for cooling steam sent from the first turbine 12.
In this embodiment, heat is furthermore recovered from geothermal water from which steam has been separated out by the separator 11, and inorganic cations and silica are ted from ng and precipitating out as scale while the heat-recovered geothermal water is being returned to the injection well 16. In other words, in this embodiment, the geothermal water from which steam has been separated out by the separator 11 corresponds to the geothermal water collected from the tion well in the present invention. However, in the present ion, the geothermal water collected from the production well 10 may be directly supplied to a medium evaporator 17 bed hereinbelow.
A geothermal power generation device provided with this medium evaporator generates binary power using the heat of geothermal water separated in the tor 11. In other words, the geothermal water separated out in the separator 11 is sent to the medium evaporator 17 via piping L7, is made to undergo heat exchange to cause a heat medium having a low— boiling point to evaporate, and is thereafter returned to the injection well 16 via piping L8. In this embodiment, the medium evaporator 17 corresponds to the heat removal unit in the present invention.
The geothermal water vaporized in the medium evaporator 17 is sent to a second turbine 18 via piping L9, and power is generated by a second power generator 19. The geothermal water which has passed through the second turbine 18 is sent to a medium condenser 20 via piping L10 to become a sate in the medium condenser, and is then returned to the medium evaporator 17 via piping L11 having a pump 21 at an intermediate point.
A low-boiling heat medium e of being vaporized using the heat from the geothermal water separated in the separator 11 is used as the heat medium in this binary power generation. The heat medium is not particularly limited; examples that may be advantageously used e N-heptane, isoheptane, N—pentane, isopentane, N—butane, isobutane, luoroether, R245fa, R134a, R22, and R407c.
As described above, the geothermal water separated in the separator 11 passes through the medium evaporator 17, and heat is red from the geothermal water, which is then returned to the injection well 16; however, the temperature is reduced in this process, scale having silica as a main component is generated, and piping is blocked. In contrast, as bed above, it is possible that the solubility of amorphous silica is increased by adding an alkaline agent to make the geothermal water alkaline, but when the geothermal water is made alkaline, bivalent or more inorganic cations and silica form salts that readily precipitate out.
In View of the above, in the present invention, a scale— inhibiting agent is added in accordance with the concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations contained in the geothermal water, and the occurrence of scale produced by salts of the inorganic cations and silica is inhibited.
In the present invention, the bivalent or more inorganic cation is not particularly limited; examples include one or more species selected from magnesium ions, calcium ions, nt iron ions, trivalent iron ions, and aluminum ions.
Examples of the scale—inhibiting agent include EDTA, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), 3—hydroxy -2—2'—iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), carboxymethylethyleneimine, citric acid, tartaric acid, and various sodium salts, potassium salts, and ammonium salts , hydrates f and other chelating agents, and polyacrylic acid Na (PAS).
The configuration of the device for enting the method for inhibiting scale as bed above will be described with reference to An inorganic cation concentration meter 22 and a silica concentration meter 23 are connected to the piping L7 that extends from the separator 11 to the medium evaporator 17. An alkaline agent in an alkaline agent tank 24 flows into the piping on the downstream side of the silica tration meter via a pump 25, and a chelating agent in a chelating agent tank 26 flows into the piping in substantially the same location via a pump 27. The location where the alkaline agent flows into the piping is preferably the same location where the chelating agent flows into the piping or further to the downstream side than the location where the chelating agent flows into the piping.
The addition amount of alkaline agent supplied from the alkaline agent tank 24 preferably s in order to make the pH of the geothermal water to 9 or higher, and more preferably 9.5 to 10.0.
A chelating agent addition amount control unit 29 es a signal from the calculation processing unit 28 and controls the pump 27 to adjust the addition amount of the chelating agent.
A flow rate meter 30 is connected to a location further downstream of the on where the alkaline agent flows into the piping L7, and the flow rate of the geothermal water that flows into the medium evaporator 17 can be ed. The location where the flow rate meter 30 is installed is not limited to the location described above; the location may be further upstream than the location where the alkaline and ing agent is added.
A thermometer 31 and a pH meter 32 are connected to the piping L8 which couples the medium evaporator 17 and the injection well 16, and the temperature and pH of the geothermal water ed to the injection well via the medium evaporator 17 are measured. The inorganic cation .concentration meter 22, the silica concentration meter 23, the flow rate meter 30, the meter 31, and the pH meter 32 are each connected to the ation processing unit 28. A storage device 33 is connected to the calculation processing unit 28, and an input device 34 is connected to the storage device 33. shows an example of the inorganic cation tion concentration measurement device advantageously used in the present invention. The inorganic cation saturation concentration measurement device 40 has a solution reservoir unit 41, and connected to this solution reservoir unit 41 are a temperature control unit 42, a solution collector unit 43, a pH adjustment unit 44, and a cation concentration ement unit 45. To the pH adjustment unit 44A, a pH measurement unit 44a and an acid/alkali addition unit 44b are provided. A timer 45a is mounted on the cation concentration measurement unit 45. shows a flowchart for ing the saturation concentration of inorganic cations using the saturation concentration measurement device 40. In this embodiment, calcium ions are selected as the inorganic cations, and the starting point (saturation concentration) at which calcium silicate begins to precipitate is obtained.
In other words, first, a on liquid is adjusted so that the silica concentration is 600 mg/L and the calcium concentration is gradually increased to a range of O to 50 mg/L. The reaction liquid is passed Via the solution collector unit 43 and filled into the solution reservoir unit 41 (step 81).
Next, a solution of, e.g., hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide is added from the acid/alkali addition unit 44b while the pH is measured by the pH ement unit 44a in the pH adjustment unit 44, and the reaction liquid is adjusted to a predetermined pH, e.g., pH 9, 10, or 11 (step 82) The reaction liquid thus adjusted to a ermined calcium tration and pH is held under predetermined conditions; in this embodiment, a constant temperature of 100°C for three hours (step S3). These conditions are preferably set so as to be the same temperature and time as when the rmal water is returned to the injection well 16 by way of the medium evaporator 17.
Next, after a predetermined length of time (three hours in this embodiment) has elapsed as measured by the timer 45a, the cation concentration (the calcium concentration in this embodiment) is measured by the cation concentration measurement unit 45 (step S4). The calcium concentration can be measured by, e.g., EDTA titration or a calcium ion meter.
It is determined whether the concentration of initially added calcium ions is higher than the calcium ion concentration after the reaction (step SS). If NO, the process returns to step 31. If YES, it is determined (step 56) that the calcium ion concentration (the concentration in step 81) of the water sample at this point is the starting point of precipitation (the saturation concentration in the t ion), and the process is ended.
There is no limitation to the calcium; in the case of, e.g., magnesium, the reaction liquid in which the magnesium concentration has been gradually increased in step 81 can be adjusted and measured in the same manner. shows the results of measuring the tion tration of calcium at pH 9 using the above—described method. The horizontal axis of the chart shows the calcium addition amount (mg/L) when the on liquid is adjusted.
The vertical axis shows the calcium ion concentration (mg/L, the black s on the graph) after the reaction, and shows the value (mg/L, the black triangles on the graph) obtained by subtracting the calcium ion concentration after the reaction from the corresponding amount of calcium added. Therefore, the saturation concentration of the calcium ions for the case in which treatment has been carried out for 3 hours at 100°C at a pH of 9 with the silica concentration set to 600 mg/L is mg/L, which is the calcium addition amount, at which the value ed by subtracting the calcium ion concentration after the reaction from the calcium addition amount then converts to a positive value. shows the result of repeating the measurement shown in under various pH conditions, and measuring the calcium saturation concentration at each pH. It is apparent that the calcium saturation concentration is reduced as the pH is increased in this manner.
Data obtained by varying the pH and taking ements is obtained in e for the tion concentration of inorganic cations in the case that treatment is d out under predetermined ions that have been set so that the temperature and time are the same as the conditions when the geothermal water is returned to the injection well 16 via the medium evaporator 17. The data is inputted from the input device 34 in and stored in the storage device 33. In the case that the temperature and time fluctuate, the data is obtained under various conditions.
Described next with reference to is the procedure by which the addition amount of the chelating agent, which is a scale-inhibiting agent, is obtained in the calculation processing unit 28 of by which the pump 27 is controlled by the chelating agent addition amount control unit 29, and by which a predetermined amount of the chelating agent is added.
First, the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water under the ed conditions is determined from the saturation concentration data of the inorganic cations under s conditions as stored in the storage device 33, on the basis of the temperature measured by the thermometer 31 and the pH measured by the pH meter 32 (step 811) Calculated next is the value obtained by subtracting the saturation tration thus determined from the inorganic cation concentration of the geothermal water as ed by the inorganic cation concentration meter 22 (step 812). Here, in the case that the geothermal water is made to evaporate by the tor 11 to obtain steam, the concentration factor is estimated from the amount of steam, and the concentration thus estimated is used as the inorganic cation concentration of the geothermal water because the nic cation concentration in the geothermal water will se.
Next, the amount of inorganic cations predicted to precipitate out in the case that a scale—inhibiting agent ting agent) is not added is calculated from the flow rate of the geothermal water measured by the flow rate meter and from the value obtained by subtracting the saturation concentration from the inorganic cation concentration in the geothermal water (step 813).
Next, the addition amount of the scale—inhibiting agent (chelating agent) is ated in order to inhibit precipitation of inorganic s in the amount predicted to precipitate (step 814).
Last, a signal is sent to the chelating agent addition amount control unit 29, the pump 27 is operated so as to achieve the addition amount thus obtained, the scale— inhibiting agent is added (step 815), and the routine is ended.
The operation in performed by the calculation processing unit 28 is carried out at, e.g., predetermined intervals, and a suitable amount of precipitation—inhibiting agent is constantly added to the geothermal water.
In this manner, power is generated in the first power generator 13 using the first turbine 12, power is generated in the second power generator 19 using the second turbine 18, and the heat energy of geothermal water can be effectively used to generate power while the geothermal water is prevented from precipitating scale in the piping. Also, economic operation is made possible because the amount of the scale itation-inhibiting agent ting agent) to be added can be kept to a required m.
[Explanation of Numerals and Characters] Production well ll Separator 12 First turbine 13 First generator 17 Medium evaporator 18 Second turbine 19 Second generator Medium condenser 21 Pump 22 Inorganic cation concentration meter 23 Silica concentration meter 24 Alkaline agent tank Pump 26 Chelating agent tank 27 Pump 28 ation processing unit 29 Chelating agent addition amount control unit Flow rate meter 31 Thermometer 32 pH meter 33 Storage device 34 Input device 40 Saturation concentration measurement device 41 Solution reservoir unit 42 Temperature control unit 43 Solution collector unit 44 pH adjustment unit 44a pH measurement unit 44b Acid/alkali on unit 45 Cation concentration measurement unit 45a Timer INWECLAmm

Claims (13)

    we claims
  1. l. A method for inhibiting scale, comprising: a water inflow measurement step for measuring a flow rate and a concentration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water ted from a tion well; a heat removal step for removing heat from the geothermal water; a water outflow measurement step for measuring a temperature and a pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step; a scale—inhibiting agent addition amount ation step for obtaining a tion concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step on the basis of the temperature and the pH of the geothermal water after the heat removal step, and calculating an addition amount of a scale-inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic s from the flow rate of the geothermal water and a value obtained by subtracting the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the heat removal step from the inorganic cation concentration of the geothermal water measured in the water inflow measurement step; and a scale—inhibiting agent addition step for adding the scale—inhibiting agent to the geothermal water ted from the production well, on the basis of the addition amount of scale—inhibiting agent calculated in the scale—inhibiting agent addition amount calculation step.
  2. 2. The method for inhibiting scale according to claim 1, wherein water s in which the nic cation concentration has been gradually increased are produced with the same silica concentration and pH as the geothermal water collected from the production well; the water samples are held for a predetermined length of time at the temperature following the heat removal step, and the inorganic cation concentration in the treated water is then measured; and the concentration of the water samples when the inorganic cation concentration in the treated water is initially less than the inorganic cation concentration of the water samples is used as the saturation concentration.
  3. 3. The method for inhibiting scale ing to claim 1, wherein the inorganic cation is one or more species selected from magnesium ions, calcium ions, bivalent iron ions, ent iron ions, and aluminum ions.
  4. 4. The method for inhibiting scale according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pH of the geothermal water is adjusted to 9 or higher.
  5. 5. The method for inhibiting scale according to claim 4, n an alkaline agent is added at the same time the scale— inhibiting agent is added to the rmal water or after the scale—inhibiting agent has been added to the geothermal water AH26(9623105_1):MSD:dah to adjust the pH to 9 or higher.
  6. 6. The method for inhibiting scale according to claim 1, wherein the heat removal step includes a flashing step for decompressing the geothermal water and extracting steam, and/or a step for recovering heat from the geothermal water to cause a power—generating medium to evaporate.
  7. 7. The method for inhibiting scale according to claim 1, wherein the geothermal water collected from the tion well is separated into gas and liquid, steam obtained after quid separation is fed to a power generation facility, and the geothermal water after gas—liquid separation is sent to the heat l step.
  8. 8. A geothermal power generation device, comprising: an nic cation concentration measuring device for measuring a tration of bivalent or more inorganic cations in geothermal water collected from a production well; a flow rate meter for measuring a flow rate of the rmal water collected from the production well; a heat removal unit for reducing a temperature of the geothermal water; a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the geothermal water after heat has been d; a pH measuring device for measuring a pH of the geothermal water after heat has been removed; a calculation processing unit for obtaining a saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat removal unit on the basis of the temperature and the pH of the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat removal unit, and ating an addition amount of a scale—inhibiting agent required for inhibiting the precipitation of salts containing the inorganic cations from the flow rate of the geothermal water and a value obtained by subtracting the saturation concentration of inorganic cations in the geothermal water after the temperature has been reduced in the heat removal unit from the inorganic cation tration of the geothermal water measured by the inorganic cation concentration measuring device; and a controller for adding the scale—inhibiting agent to the geothermal water in the amount calculated by the calculation processing unit.
  9. 9. The geothermal power tion device ing to in claim 8, wherein a gas—liquid separator is disposed a stage prior to the heat removal unit, and the geothermal water after gas~liquid separation is introduced to the heat removal unit.
  10. 10. The geothermal power tion device according to claim 8, wherein the heat removal unit is one or more species selected from piping for ing heat, a flasher for ting steam from the geothermal water by decompression, and a heat exchanger for imparting heat to a power generation medium to cause the power generation medium to evaporate.
  11. 11. The geothermal power generation device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising: a solution reservoir unit for retaining a water sample; a temperature control unit for adjusting the temperature of the water sample retained in the solution oir unit; a pH adjustment unit for adding acid or alkali to the water sample retained in the solution reservoir unit to adjust the pH; a concentration ement unit for measuring a bivalent or more inorganic cation concentration in the water sample after a predetermined length of time has elapsed; and an inorganic cation saturation concentration measurement device having a solution supply unit for ng a water sample in which the inorganic cation concentration has been gradually increased and which is allowed to flow in sequential n into the solution reservoir unit.
  12. 12. A method for inhibiting scale, the method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  13. 13. A geothermal power generator device ntially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
NZ615602A 2011-04-19 2012-03-05 Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device NZ615602B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2011092758 2011-04-19
JP2011-092758 2011-04-19
PCT/JP2012/055545 WO2012144277A1 (en) 2011-04-19 2012-03-05 Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
NZ615602A NZ615602A (en) 2015-02-27
NZ615602B2 true NZ615602B2 (en) 2015-05-28

Family

ID=

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9840429B2 (en) Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device
US3420775A (en) Prevention of scale in saline water evaporators using carbon dioxide under special conditions
WO2013027822A1 (en) Method for suppressing scale and geothermal power generating device
JP5563854B2 (en) Scale suppression method and power generation system
CN102564216B (en) Method for washing condenser of thermal power plant without intermission
NZ615602B2 (en) Scale inhibition method and geothermal power generating device
Dastgerdi et al. A new zero-liquid-discharge brine concentrator using a cascaded fluidised bed ice slurry generator
CN108314196A (en) The system and method for scale control treatments is carried out to recirculated cooling water using stove cigarette
EP2694441A1 (en) A method for monitoring and controlling the chemistry of a zld process in power plants
JP5140927B2 (en) Liquid canister for boiler plant
CN103993109A (en) Blast furnace slag waste heat recovery system and recovering control method for blast furnace slag waste heat recovery system
CN110938752A (en) Extraction process for improving recovery rate of germanium
Shih Evaluating the technologies of thermal desalination using low-grade heat
WO2013161325A1 (en) Scale suppressing device, geothermal power generation system using said device, and scale suppression method
CN210367047U (en) Multistage flash distillation desulfurization effluent treatment plant
Linnikov et al. Prevention of sulfate scale formation in desalination of Aral Sea water
US20240183343A1 (en) Method for removing scale from geothermal turbine blade and method for geothermal power generation
WO2024070490A1 (en) Geothermal power generation system and silica scale deposition control method
JP4442764B2 (en) Drum boiler and exhaust heat recovery boiler equipped with drum boiler
SU823287A1 (en) Method of producing purified brine from sea brine
CN114484408B (en) Control system and method for mixed type exhaust steam recoverer of thermal power plant
Chichirov et al. Development of methods for the decrease in instability of recycling water of conjugated closed-circuit cooling system of HPP
Hawthorn Studies of Phosphate Scale Deposition in Heated Tubes
Wang et al. Recovery, Utilization and Research of Waste Heat from the Blast Furnace Water Granulated Slag
Fukuda et al. Laboratory experiments on inhibition of silica particulate deposition in a porous column by dosing of chemical reagents into reinjection water (2): prevention and dissolution of silica deposits by alkali dosing