Geothermal Binary Power System Scale Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The silica-based scale in binary power generation systems using renewable energy like geothermal heat significantly reduces heat conductivity and operation rates, necessitating frequent maintenance and chemical treatments that are environmentally harmful and costly.
Innovation Solution
A binary power generation system that incorporates a scale inhibiting agent composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and sodium oxide (Na2O) along with other oxides, which is added to the circulation flow channels in both the hot water and cooling water systems, combined with a solid-liquid separation device to prevent scale attachment and deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional chemical cleaning methods are used to remove silica-based scale, then calcium-based scale can be removed, but silica-based scale cannot be removed and the heat exchanger is corroded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by using hydrofluoric acid at a specific concentration range (0.1-5% by mass) combined with surfactants and chelating agents. This parameter optimization enables effective silica-based scale removal while controlling corrosion through the synergistic effect of multiple chemical components working at controlled concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution is formulated as a composite chemical system combining hydrofluoric acid, surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic types), and chelating agents. This composite approach allows the solution to simultaneously address silica-based scale removal, calcium-based scale removal, and corrosion inhibition through the combined actions of different chemical components.
2Productivity
If the binary power generation system operates continuously, then power generation capacity is maintained, but scale accumulates on heat exchanger surfaces reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary protective action by introducing a scale inhibitor composition into the water channel system before significant scale accumulation occurs. The inhibitor continuously or periodically treats the water to prevent silica-based and calcium-based scale formation on heat exchanger surfaces, allowing continuous operation without effectiveness loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale inhibition process operates continuously or periodically alongside the power generation system, maintaining constant protection against scale formation. This continuous action ensures that heat exchanger effectiveness is preserved throughout operation, enabling sustained power generation capacity without interruption for cleaning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If phosphonate-based polymer coagulants are used to prevent calcium scale, then calcium scale is reduced, but silica-based scale prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The scale inhibitor composition uses a composite chemical system combining hydrofluoric acid, multiple types of surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic), and chelating agents. This composite formulation provides comprehensive protection against both calcium-based scale (through chelating agents) and silica-based scale (through hydrofluoric acid and surfactant action), overcoming the limitations of single-component phosphonate coagulants.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively suppresses the attachment of silica-based scale on heat exchanger surfaces, maintaining heat conductivity and operation rates, while avoiding the need for frequent chemical treatments and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a scale inhibiting agent including silicon dioxide (SiO2) and sodium oxide (Na2O) as main components is put into each of a circulation flow channel in the hot water circulation system and a circulation flow channel in the cooling water circulation system
Implementation Method 2
a solid-liquid separation device is installed at an appropriate position of each of the circulation flow channel in the hot water circulation system and the circulation flow channel in the cooling water circulation system, the solid-liquid separation device storing a lot of filter mediums
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger is frequently used... a plate type heat exchanger is very thin
Data Source
AI summary
A scale inhibiting agent having silicon dioxide (SiO2) and sodium oxide (Na2O) as main components is put into each of a circulation flow channel in a hot water circulation system and a circulation flow channel in a cooling water circulation system. On the other hand, a solid-liquid separation device is installed at an appropriate position of each of the circulation flow channel in the hot water circulation system and the circulation flow channel in the cooling water circulation system, the solid-liquid separation device storing a lot of filter mediums each of which is provided with a lot of rectangular water stream inlets in a staggered pattern along a peripheral direction, is provided with a semicircularly curved water stream control plate extending inward from a short side in one side of each of the water stream inlets and has a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 12 mm.