Stainless Steel World Magazine November 2025 | Page 38

[ Geothermal ]

[ Geothermal ]

passive layer, which blocks the electron transfer between the steel and the metal ions, thus avoiding their deposition. Key applications of stainless steel in geothermal systems include: Heat Exchangers: Transfer heat efficiently from geothermal brine to a secondary fluid in binary cycle plants. Stainless steel grades like Duplex 2205 resist corrosion and perform well thermally. Piping and Tubing: For transporting geothermal fluids, stainless steel provides durability and low maintenance. Solutions as mechanically lined tubes( MLT) can become a costefficient solution. Well Casings: Protect deep geothermal wells from collapse and contamination. Stainless steel is essential in highchloride environments and withstands intense thermal and mechanical stress. Storage Tanks and Valves: Store chemicals and handle highpressure, high-temperature fluids. The durability of stainless steel reduces the risk of leaks and failures. In general, it is also common that Duplex stainless grades actually can reduce the weight and initial cost for a Storage Tank, in comparison to coated carbon steel. Pressure vessels or reactors for lithium extraction: temperature and pressure are necessary for concentrating lithium chloride and converting it into lithium carbonate, requiring the use of alloys with high
Cumulative investment for next-generation geothermal, 2025-2050 Billion USD( 2023, MER)
Source: IEA( 2024), Cumulative investment for next-generation geothermal, 2025-2050, IEA, Paris, Licence: CC BY 4.0
corrosion resistance, such as 2507 or Sanicro 35. Stainless steel is not just a material choice; it is a commitment to the future of geothermal energy. Investing in the right materials today ensures that we harness the Earth’ s energy safely and
2050 Electricity only: 2101 billion USD( 2023, MER) Combined heat and power: 84.3 billion USD( 2023, MER) Industrial heat: 630.3 billion USD( 2023, MER)
Electricity only Combined heat and power Industrial heat
efficiently for generations to come. The journey towards a sustainable energy future is not merely about adopting new technologies, but also about making smarter, more resilient choices in the materials we trust to build that future.
Geothermal environments are harsh, often containing high levels of chlorides, hydrogen sulfide, and other corrosive elements.
38 Stainless Steel World November 2025 www. stainless-steel-world. net