Scaling and corrosion that reduce the efficiency of turbines and heat exchangers are two of the major problems affecting energy recovery from hot water geothermal systems. The types of scale commonly found include calcium carbonate, amorphous silica and silicates, and mixed metal oxides and sulfides. Calcium carbonate deposition can occur very quickly when a relatively high supersaturation is reached as a result of CO2 removal. Silica deposition takes place mainly on surface equipment and in injection wells. In most cases, the use of scale inhibitors is necessary to prevent deposition. Some of these inhibitors, however, may become part of the problem due to thermal decomposition. This not only
makes them ineffective but also creates decomposition products, which may form deposits or be corrosive to metal surfaces. This paper presents the laboratory test results of a thermally stable, phosphorus and sulfur-free calcium carbonate inhibitor.