Predicting Silica Deposition from Superheated, Pressurized Steam Using Numerical Modeling of Nucleation, Agglomeration and Deposition

Silje Bordvik (), Titus S. van Erp, Seniz Ucar and Erling Næss
Additional contact information
Silje Bordvik: Department of Energy and Process Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Titus S. van Erp: Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Seniz Ucar: Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Erling Næss: Department of Energy and Process Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: A model that can be used to quantify silica deposition from superheated depressurized steam is developed. Classical nucleation theory, agglomeration and deposition onto a wall are combined in a numerical model that calculates the concentration profile, the particle size distribution and the deposition in a flow through a pipeline after a sudden increase in supersaturation. The work presented here is an important step in understanding the mechanisms governing precipitation from supercritical and superheated steam as produced by deep geothermal wells drilled in magmatic areas. The power potential in such systems can be significantly higher than for conventional systems if utilized efficiently. The presented results can be applied to improve industrial designs and decrease energy costs. The model predicts the amount of precipitation along a pipe at various supersaturations, and the resulting deposition velocity in a straight pipe correlates fairly well with recent experimental results. There is a high number of nanocolloids formed close to the pressure reduction position, where deposition is at its maximum. Downstream, larger agglomerates develop, and deposition decreases as the number of particles and the overall concentration decreases. The local maximum deposition rate increases with increasing supersaturation. The calculations show that deposition mechanisms are as important as the chemical process of solidification when estimating where and how most material will be deposited. The rapid formation and deposition of solids predicted indicate that depressurization along with solid capture could be used to rid fluid of silica.

Keywords: classical nucleation theory; supercritical water; silica; precipitation; geomagma; nanoparticle deposition; geothermal energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6906/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6906/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6906-:d:1251716

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().