Water Treatment Chemicals Industry
The global water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power was valued at USD 8.84 million in 2023, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2024 to 2030. The growth of this market is closely tied to the increasing global demand for clean and renewable energy sources. As reported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global geothermal electricity capacity grew from 13,196 MW in 2018 to 14,846 MW in 2023. This rising demand for geothermal energy is driving the need for effective water treatment solutions, which are essential for maintaining the efficiency of geothermal power plants.
A key factor contributing to the market’s expansion is the growing use of scale control agents, which help enhance the efficiency of power generation in geothermal plants. Unlike fossil fuel plants, geothermal power plants are environmentally friendly, as they do not burn fuel to produce electricity. These plants release 97% less sulfur compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel counterparts of similar size. However, geothermal power plants face the challenge of dealing with mineral-rich, often salty water that must be treated before it enters the heat exchanger. Untreated brine can cause scaling issues that reduce plant efficiency. Water treatment chemicals play a vital role in preventing the presence of salts and metals in the discharged water, thereby avoiding contamination of rivers and lakes.
The use of water treatment chemicals in geothermal power is crucial due to the composition of geothermal water, which contains scale- and corrosion-causing chemicals such as silica, calcium, potassium, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, fluoride, magnesium, and chloride. The water also contains varying levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, along with smaller amounts of ammonia, boron, mercury, and radon. If left untreated, the mineral-rich geothermal water can lead to scaling, causing blockages and disruptions in the geothermal system. Therefore, water treatment chemicals are essential to protect geothermal systems from buildup, ensuring continuous and efficient operation.
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Application Insights
In 2023, the flash process segment led the water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power, capturing a 46.6% revenue share.
- The segment's growth is driven by an increasing number of geothermal power projects based on the flash process, due to its cost-effectiveness and economic advantages in geothermal power production.
The dry steam process is essential for geothermal operators, as it helps maintain plant efficiency by:
- Preventing scaling and corrosion, which can impair equipment and reduce operational efficiency.
- Minimizing wastewater disposal challenges by supporting water recovery and volume reduction, thus addressing environmental and operational concerns.
The dry steam process utilizes advanced sensors like ScaleSense to help geothermal plants measure silica and other scaling ions in real-time:
- This real-time data allows for precise adjustments to the treatment process, improving efficiency in handling scaling issues.
Membrane systems such as XtremeRO or FlexEDR are implemented to boost cooling tower cycles and minimize blowdown:
- By reducing blowdown, these systems significantly lower the volume of wastewater requiring further treatment, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective.
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