A Geothermal

Presentation
Goals
▪ Brief on geothermal production.
▪ Acid wells in geothermal fields.
▪ Mechanism of acid production.
▪ Opportunities and location of FCDS with corrosion.
▪ Engineering solution for utilization of acidic wells.
▪ Weld cladding overlay and methods.
▪ Strategies to get into Geothermal Clients.
▪ Strategies to Introduce Technology to Geothermal Industry
Geothermal Production
▪ Brings highly mineralized, high temperature reservoir water to
surface for extraction of thermal energy.
▪ The temperature drop in geothermal water due to utilization of
thermal energy to be converted to electrical energy brings
significant increase in chemistry species concentration due to
thermodynamics effect (separation of steam and brine).
▪ Some chemical species in geothermal waters react with carbon
steel which is the typical material component of geothermal
equipment (casing, pipes, valves, etc).
Acid Wells in Geothermal Fields
▪ The goal to geothermal development is to drill to a mature, neutral-
water geothermal field.
▪ Acidic-discharging geothermal wells are accidentally drilled in nature.
Some sections in the geothermal reservoir may have connection to the
magmatic gases sources which give rise to acidic discharges.
▪ Geoscientist tend to avoid drilling to speculated acidic zone/source.
▪ As observation, the acid-discharging wells are also high producing well.
As such a welcome addition to resource.
▪ Geoscientist continue searching appropriate technology with goals to
tie up production from acid-discharging wells.
Mechanism of Acid Production
▪ Significant change in the chemistry occurs as the geothermal fluids rises
from reservoir to wellhead.
▪ The drop in pressure from ~25 MPa to around 1-2 MPa at the wellhead,
flashes the geothermal fluids, a portion of geothermal water is
converted to steam which is separated to supply to power plants.
▪ The removal of steam from geothermal fluids increases the
concentration of chemical species including reactive to carbon steel
components in the remaining geothermal fluids.
▪ The degree of acidity and corrosion potential of acid discharge can
only be measured at sampling point (@ known P & T condition).
▪ However, it can be calculated at near reservoir condition relative to sampling
condition using thermodynamics.
 Opportunities
▪ Existing wells have carbon steel
make up for production casing.
▪ Neutralizing with NaOH is so far the
promising method to increase pH
and neutralize reactive species.
▪ However economics, logistics, and
safety and handling needed to put
in the equation.
▪ Propose to modify field equipment
by means of material cladding
application while at the same time
reducing the dozing requirements for
acid neutralization
Location of FCDS with Potential
Corrosion Problems
Upstream Separation Downstream
• Wellhead and its • Separator vessels • Drainpots
assemblies • Rock Muffler • Interface
• Branchlines • Demister
• Two-phase lines • Condensate lines

FCDS – Fluid Collection and Disposal System, a collective term that describes the
wells, piping system and all piping equipments, separator, and reinjection wells
Engineering Solution for Acid Well
Utilization
Wilhelm Group advanced a step forward the goal of
utilizing acid producing geothermal wells by improving
the corrosion resistance of field equipment (Wellhead,
branchlines, pipes, Tee, valves, etc) by means of cladding
with a material that reduce corrosion, reduce wear and
improve thermal resistance to the carbon steel material
which is the typical base metal of all geothermal
equipment.
Weld Clad Overlay
▪ The application of surfacing material usually corrosion resistant alloys
(CRA) to base metal, for the purpose of:
▪ improving corrosion resistance, reduce wear, and improve thermal resistance
▪ The improvement is expected to reduce operational cost

▪ The process create a metallurgical bond between base metal and

cladding material.
Clad Methods
▪ Weld Overlay cladding
▪ Achieve through automated hot wire GTAW (Gas Tungten Arc Welding, also known
as Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding
▪ Welding achieve through the use of non consumable Tungsten electrode
▪ Metal is joined by high temperature electric arc
▪ To prevent oxidation in metals, an inert gas ( Argon or Helium) is blown while welding.
▪ Used for pipes, tees, elbows, bends, valves, etc.

▪ CRA Clad pipe

▪ Forming metallurgical bonded plate to pipe.
▪ For short distance pipe.

▪ Mechanical lined pipe

▪ Long distance transmission pipeline
Cladding Materials
▪ Inconel Alloy 625 – Nickel based super alloy that possesses high strength
property and resistance to elevated temperatures
▪ Incoloy 825 – Nickel based superalloy with high Niobium (NB content)
▪ 300 series stainless steel - Austinitic steel (contain 16 to 26 percent chromium
and up to 35 percent nickel, usually have the highest corrosion resistance. They
are not hardenable by heat treatment and are nonmagnetic
▪ Duplex / Super Duplex
▪ Copper Nickel Alloy
▪ Monel Alloy 200, 400
Strategies to get into Geothermal
Clients
▪ Bridging to former geothermal colleagues
▪ Build up database of contacts
▪ Determine key person in the organization (Decision makers,
proponents, end-users).
▪ When bridge is established, work out with key people how to
obtain their projected requirements and forecast and work out
opportunities from there.
▪ While still in quarantine start with communicating through email
and when restrictions is lifted, start to visit them in their offices.
▪ Social media such as LinkedIn provide a good venue to
communicating with potential client abroad.
Strategies to Introduce Technology to
Geothermal Industry
▪ Technical collaboration with field geoscientist and push for field
testing and utilization.
▪ If there is a field testing or utilization, produce technical papers
on the results and write on results and lessons learning.
▪ Attend geothermal conferences and make technical papers on
geothermal cladding technology and experiences.
▪ Bring a Wilhelm-group booth to geothermal conferences and
engage potential clients from there.
Thank you.