Scale Deposition Testing Device for Geothermal Reinjection Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geothermal power plants face challenges in predicting and managing scale deposition in reinjection wells, leading to potential blockages and increased costs due to the complex interactions of calcium ions, dissolved silica, and temperature changes in geothermal water.
Innovation Solution
A scale deposition testing device with multiple containers filled with particulates, capable of simulating the conditions of reinjection wells, allowing for precise evaluation of scale deposition by varying flow rate, temperature, pressure, and composition of hot water, and incorporating a retention unit to simulate retention times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hot water is supplied to a filled layer made of a porous medium to observe scale deposition, then the distribution of scale deposition along the distance can be determined, but the effect of retained geothermal water cannot be considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent scale deposition containers (17, 27) that can be filled with different particulates. Each container represents a separate testing environment, allowing simultaneous evaluation of different conditions including various retention times without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
A retention unit (15, 25) is introduced as an intermediary component between the hot water supply and the scale deposition containers. This retention unit holds hot water for predetermined periods before supplying it to the containers, enabling simulation of retention effects that occur in actual geothermal power plants.
2Productivity
If multiple scale deposition containers are used to evaluate different hot water conditions simultaneously, then testing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple scale deposition containers (17, 27) are configured with identical structures and functions, each capable of evaluating scale deposition under different conditions. This universal design allows the system to test multiple scenarios simultaneously while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically supplies hot water to multiple containers simultaneously through the retention unit, which manages the distribution and timing of hot water supply to each container independently, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying operation despite the multi-container configuration.
3Measurement precision
If the retention unit changes hot water retention time to simulate actual plant conditions, then evaluation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention unit (15, 25) enables variation of the retention time parameter for hot water before it reaches the scale deposition containers. By adjusting how long hot water is held in the retention unit, the system can simulate different actual plant conditions and evaluate scale deposition under multiple time scenarios, improving evaluation accuracy through parameter variation.
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
Enables precise evaluation of scale deposition scenarios, helping to predict and prevent blockages, thereby reducing operational costs and improving geothermal power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a retention unit (15, 25) is provided which retains the produced hot water for a predetermined period
Implementation Method 2
scale is deposited along a channel in a geothermal power plant and a well through which geothermal water having used to produce power is reinjected
Implementation Method 3
measuring means for measuring at least one of the flow rate, temperature, and pressure of the hot water flowing through each of the scale deposition containers
Data Source
AI summary
A scale deposition testing device, which is capable of precisely evaluating the state of scale deposition in consideration of an effect of retained geothermal water that occurs in an actual geothermal power plant, includes a plurality of scale deposition containers filled with particulates; hot water supply means for causing hot water to flow through each of the scale deposition containers; a retention unit for retaining the hot water; hot water condition change means for changing at least one of the flow rate, temperature, pressure, and composition of the hot water for each of the scale deposition containers; measuring means for measuring at least one of the flow rate, temperature, and pressure of the hot water flowing through each of the scale deposition containers; and a recorder for receiving data from the measuring means, the retention unit being capable of changing the hot water retention time.