Lifetime Prediction of a Recirculating Geothermal Cooling Water Pipeline
- Key words
- Geothermal, cooling water, carbon steel, corrosion, Life Cycle Analysis
- Location
- Bulalo/Mak-Ban, Philippines; Luzon
- Conference
- World Geothermal Congress
- Year
- 2005
- Session
- 20. Corrosion and Scaling
- Language
- English
- Paper number
- 2019
Full text
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Abstract
A carbon steel recirculating cooling water pipeline in a geothermal power station experienced an increasing number of leaks after 17 years of operation. A risk based inspection internal and external survey of surface corrosion and remaining wall thickness measurements by Non-Destructive Ultrasonic Testing (UT) identified specific areas of continuing high risk of perforation while other areas exhibited low and acceptable rates of damage accumulation. A Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach was used to identify options for repair / replacement, comparing new coated steel vs. new stainless steel or relining of existing pipeline. Replacement with Type 316L stainless steel was the most economic option with a pay back period of 7 to 10 years for the additional capital investment.
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