Description of an Operational Desuperheating and Chloride Scrub System

Abstract

Certain geothermal electric power generating plants in the Western Geysers Area have recently experienced a significant level of chloride related corrosion in the gathering systems, steam turbines, and in other plant equipment. During the development of the 20 MW (net) Aidlin electric generating project, the extend for which chlorides were present in the steam was not fully known. Nevertheless, significant equipment was included at each wellhead to scrub the steam, to mitigate the potential corrosiveness of the chlorides, and to separate the resulting chloride slats from the steam. Provisions have also been included for single or dual scrubbing of the steam at the inlet to the power plant. IN addition, an extensive program was established for sampling, corrosion measurement, wall thickness measurement, and modification of facilities. This paper will present the details of the design, installation, and operation of the facilities.