Science & Technology: Phosphonate Chemistry is Useful in Ultrahigh Geothermal Applications

Novel Phosphonate Proves Useful in Geothermal Environments (Materials Performance)

It is imperative that chemicals used in geothermal applications be environmentally friendly. Governmental pressure is increasingly pushing toward greener chemistries, which creates a challenge to find products that can withstand the extreme environments found in geothermal systems and also be biodegradable.

The biodegradability of the novel phosphonate was evaluated to gauge its suitability for use in Norway. A closed-bottle method was used, involving a predetermined amount of chemical being dissolved into seawater. The solution remained in dark conditions and a constant temperature was maintained. Dissolved oxygen analysis was carried out at specific desired time periods. The results showed that the product is considered biodegradable because testing showed greater than 20% biodegradation after 28 days of testing.

The researchers conclude that the novel phosphonate chemistry is useful in ultrahigh geothermal applications. Its high tolerance to calcium, biodegradability, thermal stability, and good performance against calcium carbonate scaling prove valuable in a variety of environments.

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B. McCabe, S. Heath, “Development of a Novel Phosphonate Scale Inhibitor for Scale Control in Geothermal Applications,” CORROSION 2019, paper no. 13275 (Houston, TX: NACE International, 2019).