Silica Scaling Under Controlled Hydrodynamic Conditions

Abstract

Silica scaling on the surface of a flat plate has been investigated in a water tunnel, where fluidflow and silica colloid size conditions can be controlled. Development of the test rig is described and some preliminary results are presented. Ultimately, the aim of this work is to characterise the link between fluid jlow characteristics, silica colloid particle size and the scaling process, and to thereby understand the fundamental processes involved in silica scaling in geothemal systems.