Silica is released from dissolving rock and it is a common element found in water. After hot water is pumped up from geothermal wells, the water cools and the silica precipitates, forming hard glassy deposits that clog pipelines and injection holes at geothermal plants.

The awarded study (dating from 2005) combines findings from several other studies with field work and modelling programmes to provide indicators of the impact on silica scaling in geothermal wells. Lopez hopes the study will help guide efforts to control silica scaling, which may help reducing the maintaining costs of geothermal plants.

Geothermal energy is a promising renewable energy which harnesses heat from the Earth’s core to provide heat tricity. Despite its potential on suitable locations, geothermal energy is one of the least known renewable energy sources.

More information:

Webnews Ohio University: “Geologist troubleshoots silica problem at geothermal plants”

Other travels by Dina Lopez