Scaling in fractured geothermal carbonate reservoir rocks: An experimental approach

Mineral precipitates along thermal fluid pathways (scaling) and clogging by unconsolidated grains inversely affect the efficiency of geothermal systems. An experimental approach is presented to quantify dissolution precipitation processes in fractured, geologically complex carbonate rocks of Devonian age. The outcome sug gests that the dissolution-precipitation processes must be placed in the context of different fluid properties and pressure conditions between the injection and the production well. A geochemical monitoring program doc umenting the processes in the carbonate aquifer rocks is presented. Experimental work must be combined with field and modelling approaches to unfold its full strength.