Geothermal is an attractive complement to nuclear, fossil and intermittent forms of renewable energy production, such as wind and solar, which are dependent on the weather
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| Kizildere-3 C, by Matt Fishman. 65 MW Kizildere-3 Unit 1 Geothermal Power Plant, Turkey,. GRC PHOTO CONTEST 2017 |
At the heart of this powerful technology lies steel. The material is integral to the safe and efficient functioning of geothermal plants due to its strength and durability. Dissolved carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and chloride are all present during the geothermal process, which when exposed to the majority of metals cause corrosion and destroy components – such as valves, filters and piping – over time.
Steel, along with nickel and titanium alloys, are selected for their resistance to pitting and cracking, with thermally treated and ferric stainless steels with a low carbon content being the most resistant to corrosion overall, making this technology possible.
