Thermodynamic and Kinetic Modelling of Scales Formation at the Soultz-sous-Forêts Geothermal Power Plant

Geothermal energy has been a subject of great interest since the 1990s in Upper Rhine Graben (URG), where first European Enhanced System (EGS) pilot site developed, Soultz-sous-Forêts (SsF), France. Several studies have already conducted on scales occurring at reinjection side geothermal plants located URG. It observed that composition changes as chemical treatment is applied to inhibit metal sulfate. The purpose this study was model scaling phenomenon surface pipes and heat exchangers SsF plant. PhreeqC, geochemical modelling software, used reproduce observations plant during exploitation. A suitable database chosen based availability elements, minerals, gas. thermodynamic kinetic were proposed for phenomenon. gave insight possible minerals precipitated while model, after modifying initial rates equation, produced results close expected scale Additional laboratory kinetics are complement current model.