Under the right conditions, fluctuations in pressure, temperature, fluid chemistry or flow rate can cause these heavy metal species to precipitate, leading to the development of highly-problematic scales.
Heavy metal scales reduce the effective diameter of pipes; reducing flow and, as a direct consequence, inhibiting the efficiency of geothermal process equipment. Because heavy metals tend to precipitate in cooler zones, this effect is often concentrated near wellheads and/or on process equipment like heat exchangers, which has a disproportionate effect on productivity.
This process can be cyclical too; creating additional surface area on which metal deposits can precipitate, which traps more corrosive agents
Over time, heavy metal scaling reduces throughput, degrades productivity and, in certain cases, reduces injectivity. Over long periods, production rates drop, energy efficiency declines, and production costs increase which is why preventing or remediating heavy metal scaling is a high priority for many operators.
Heavy metal scaling is a major problem in the traditional energy sector, but the inhibitors developed for oil and gas process streams are not effective in geothermal environments. The unique chemistry of geothermal brines, and the extreme conditions encountered in most geothermal environments call for the development of unique solutions.
Our market-leading R&D division has developed a number of unique heavy metal scaling inhibitors, which can be tailored to the specifics of an individual geothermal well.
In conjunction with our exhaustive monitoring regimes, these inhibitors allow operators to stay on top of heavy metal scaling issues, limiting the formation of scale without using an unnecessary amount of product and/or needlessly inflating maintenance costs.
As with all Roemex solutions, our heavy metal inhibitors are highly compatible with other process chemicals and are designed to be fine-tuned to the specifics of a project. They are cost-effective, safe and reliable, making them an ideal choice for operators looking for a long-term solution to an issue with well chemistry.