A Review on Geothermal Heat Exchangers: Challenges, Coating Methods, and Coating Materials
Source abstract
Abstract
Geothermal energy is likely to be a significant contributor in achieving sustainable energy goals and net-zero emissions targets. Within geothermal power plants, heat exchangers play a critical role in harnessing this renewable energy source. However, these heat exchangers encounter significant challenges when exposed to geothermal fluids, including erosion, corrosion, and scaling, which adversely affects their performance and longevity. The current review focuses on surface engineering techniques, particularly coatings, as a highly effective and economically viable solution to address these challenges in geothermal heat exchangers. The review begins by providing an overview of geothermal energy, its significance in the context of sustainability and the important role played by heat exchangers in geothermal power generation, followed by the challenges and their impact on heat exchangers. The subsequent section focuses on surface engineering by coatings and its types employed to enhance the performance of heat exchangers. In the final part, the reader is presented with an overview of the challenges associated with the application of coatings in geothermal heat exchangers and potential future directions in this field. This review offers a detailed understanding of the critical role coatings play in improving the efficiency and service life of heat exchangers in geothermal power plants.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geothermal Energy Systems and Applications · Heat Transfer and Optimization · Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Materials Innovation Centre, School of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Materials Performance and Integrity Technology Group, TWI, Cambridge CB21 6AL, UK
Funding
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the following project: GeoHex-advanced material for cost-efficient and enhanced heat exchange performance for geothermal application
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