On-site erosion–corrosion testing in superheated geothermal steam

Abstract Erosion and erosion–corrosion of stainless steel, carbon steel and ceramic lined carbon steel are investigated in a superheated geothermal steam at a high velocity (98–118 m/s) and at a lower velocity (48 m/s) for comparison. Erosion–corrosion caused the high velocity carbon steel test pipe to leak after only 14 days. Furthermore, evidence of erosion is seen in all pipe bends. Interestingly, cracks and pits were formed in the N08028 and S32707 stainless steels, but not in the S31254 stainless steel. The dry superheated steam is supersaturated with silica causing the test unit to clog after only 24 days of testing.