Laboratory and Field Testing of Polymeric Compounds as Potential Silica Scale Inhibitors

Abstract

Silica deposition presents significant constraints in the design and operation of geotheniial steani fields. To the efficiency of geothernial exploitation, silica precipitation must be controlled or avoided. Referring to ENEL geothernial fields at Piancastagnaio (Tuscany, Italy), a brief analysis of the different techniques for silica scaling prevention is reported. We intend to examine the possibility of using inhibitors for silica scale prevention. The development of antiscaling products is reviewed, saniples of commercially available scale inhibitors have been acquired a technique for screening for laboratory tests is defined. We intend also to investigate how shear stresses influence silica scale deposition