Geothermal Power Plant Significantly Improves Reinjection Capacity

GeoSol™ Online Well Cleaning Program

GoalImprove reinjection well flow rates.

Recorded Benefits

6MW

(10%) Improvement in generation capacity

No interruption of plant operation during cleaning

Averted the need to drill new reinjection wells

Improved sustainability by reducing the need to discharge brine to local river

GoalImprove reinjection well flow rates.

<h6>Customer Challenge</h6> <p>A flash steam geothermal power generating plant located in New&nbsp;Zealand was unable to maintain the reinjection capacity of its brine&nbsp;due to silica deposition reducing the permeability of its reinjection&nbsp;wells. Ultimately the silica deposition resulted in a loss of generation&nbsp;capacity and increased operational costs for the plant.</p> <h6>Recommended Solution</h6> <p>To help improve reinjection flow rates, Solenis recommended that the&nbsp;plant trial a novel well cleaning program developed by Solenis&rsquo; R&amp;D&nbsp;team that employs a relatively low-risk chemistry and a unique&nbsp;application methodology to effectively address silica deposition in&nbsp;geothermal conditions. Key features of the cleaning program include&nbsp;its ability to be monitored and controlled online and its lower cost in&nbsp;use compared to traditional chemical and mechanical treatments.</p> <h6>Results Achieved</h6> <p>The first well chosen for the trial when first drilled operated at flow rates of 200 m3/hr at a capped pressure of 6.5 bar. However, over time, flow rates were reduced to 40 m3/hr due to the loss of well permeability. Upon implementing the GeoSol online well cleaning program, flow rates increased to over 200 m3/hr and eventually stabilized around 140 m3/hr at 4.2 bar, which represents a 350% increase in flow. In addition to improving reinjection capacity, the program enabled the plant to improve its generation capacity and reduce its costs.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 100%; width: auto; height: auto;" src="/link/7d1a256b92ac4dd990fcc2fd8ef643f6.aspx" alt="" width="1600" height="565" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Flow and Pressure Graph of the Reinjection Well<br />Pre and Post Solenis Well Cleaning Program</strong></p>

Recorded Benefits

6MW

(10%) Improvement in generation capacity

No interruption of plant operation during cleaning

Averted the need to drill new reinjection wells

Improved sustainability by reducing the need to discharge brine to local river