Clean energy is becoming increasingly necessary to meet the current and future energy demand while also reducing pollution and environmental impact. Clean energy can be sourced from zero-emission renewable sources, such as geothermal, biomass, hydropower, nuclear, hydrogen and solar energy. Companies across the world have committed to the RE100 initiative, which strives to source 100% of their power from renewable sources. Piping systems for these energy sources can be challenging due to the geographic and energy characteristics of each resource.
Understanding Geothermal Power Piping Systems
Geothermal power is a clean energy resource that can be used to generate electricity by harnessing the heat from the Earth’s core. Geothermal power systems require piping to transport water from the Earth’s surface to a turbine, where it is converted into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then used to generate electricity. Piping for geothermal systems needs to be able to withstand high temperatures, pressures and corrosive fluids.
Exploring Biomass Power Piping Systems
Biomass power is a form of clean energy produced by burning organic materials, such as wood, animal waste, agricultural by-products and organic municipal waste. To generate electricity, the organic materials must be burned in a combustion chamber, which requires a piping system to transport the fuel and exhaust gases. The piping needs to be designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressures generated during the combustion process.
Analyzing Hydropower Piping Systems
Hydropower is a clean energy resource that uses the energy of moving water to generate electricity. To utilize this renewable energy source, hydropower plants require a piping system to transport water from the reservoir to the turbine. The piping needs to be able to handle high pressures and the constant movement of the water, which can cause corrosion and wear.
Examining Nuclear Energy Piping Systems
Nuclear energy is a clean energy source produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor. To generate electricity, the reactor must be supplied with fuel and coolant, which requires a piping system to transport the materials. Piping for nuclear energy systems must be designed to withstand high temperatures, pressures and corrosive materials.
Exploring Hydrogen Energy Piping Systems
Hydrogen energy is a clean energy source produced by converting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen energy systems require a piping system to transport the hydrogen from the electrolysis chamber to the fuel cells, where it is converted into electricity. The piping needs to be able to withstand the high pressures and temperatures generated during the process.
Analyzing Solar Power Piping Systems
Solar power is a clean energy resource produced by converting sunlight into electricity. Solar power systems require a piping system to transport the heated liquid from the solar panels to a turbine, which is used to generate electricity. The piping must be designed to withstand the extreme temperatures generated by the solar panels.
Geothermal Energy
Indonesia is home to more than 200 volcanoes, located on the Ring of Fire, making it the most active seismic zone in the world and an ideal source of geothermal energy. With an estimated 28 GW of geothermal potential, Indonesia holds the highest potential for energy production in the world. Wayang Windu, the world’s largest flash steam power plant, has a total installed capacity of 227 MW.
Challenges in Geothermal Energy Production in Indonesia
Due to the high power generation and the geographical features of Indonesia, the piping system is often subject to high thermal expansion and contraction, shifts in the ground, changes in elevation, and uneven terrain. This can make the construction or expansion of geothermal plants, wells and piping systems a challenging and complex task. Traditional welding techniques are not suitable for this type of installation, as the rigid joints would not be able to provide the necessary flexibility to accommodate thermal and seismic movement.
Benefits of Grooved Mechanical Piping
To overcome these problems, grooved mechanical piping has been specified for geothermal energy production in Indonesia. Installation of flexible couplings is significantly less time-consuming than welding and flanged joint, and they provide a small amount of angular and linear movement, which meets the requirements for flexibility and maintainability. Additionally, grooved mechanical piping offers several benefits onsite, making it the ideal choice for geothermal energy production.
Biomass Power Plant: The Ironbridge Power Plant
The Ironbridge power plant, located in the Severn Gorge of the UK, is the world’s largest biomass power plant. As an alternative to traditional fuels, the power plant uses wood chips and palm kernel shells. These materials are transported through pipelines as water slurries, due to their low heat value. This method of transportation is suitable for processes that do not produce water vapor.
Renewable Natural Gases and Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels
Renewable natural gases (RNG) and renewable hydrocarbon fuels are formed from existing waste streams and renewable and sustainable biomass sources such as animal waste, crop residuals, and food waste. These materials are processed through hydrotreating, pyrolysis, gasification, and other thermochemical and biochemical technologies. By transporting the chips in a heavy gas oil, they can take up to 50% oil by weight, resulting in a fuel that is over 30% oil on a mass basis and two-thirds oil on a thermal basis.
Optimizing Flow and Reducing Welds
The production of bends with flow-optimized radii can minimize the pressure loss, while reducing the number of welds can increase benefits. As a result, RNG can become an important energy tool.
Hydropower
Hydropower is a traditional renewable energy resource which is used in over 160 countries around the globe. Hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) are generally located in steeply inclined and rough terrain conditions, making it difficult to transport and install materials. To make up for this, GRP pipes are used as they are lighter and can be more easily transported. In addition, operations at high-altitude areas may be affected by lower temperatures.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hydropower
Hydropower is a highly cost-effective energy source and is not feasible in certain areas. However, recent developments have made it possible to use hydropower more effectively. Lucid energy has created small turbines which can be placed inside existing water pipelines to generate electricity. These micro-hydro systems can be located in municipal water, wastewater, industrial water, and irrigation systems and can operate across a wide range of head and flow conditions. In addition, these systems can be made from a variety of materials such as steel, ductile iron, concrete, or any material which can be mated with steel pipe.
Benefits of Hydropower
Hydropower provides clean and baseload energy without interference of wind and solar and without environmental repercussions. Furthermore, most of the piping runs underground, making it less intrusive and easier to maintain. In addition, these systems can be placed in existing water pipelines, eliminating the need for costly new infrastructure.
Nuclear Energy as a Reliable Power Source
Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable sources of energy production, with the capacity to generate 1 GW of energy. Nuclear power plants are usually located on the coast and use seawater for cooling, requiring stainless-steel and nickel alloy pipes and tubing to withstand the high temperatures and pressure, as well as corrosion.
Next-Generation Nuclear Power
The nuclear industry is exploring next-generation nuclear power, which involves reactors that are smaller, more distributed, and potentially even located offshore. These floating platforms would have to be able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes, and would use the readily available seawater to cool the reactor core in case of an emergency.
Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen energy is rapidly gaining traction as a clean energy alternative, with its potential to support energy transitions. Hydrogen can be produced from natural gas, fossil fuels, biomass, and water. Green hydrogen, or H2, can be produced by steam reforming or electrolysis.
Challenges with Hydrogen Pipelines
Hydrogen is highly flammable and dangerous to compress, and can corrode steel pipes and welds. Improperly designed pipes, valves, and fittings can easily lead to leaks and cracks. The existing ASME B31.12 piping code can provide guidance for the design of hydrogen pipelines, but more reliable and durable compression technology is needed to reduce costs.
Advantages of FRP Pipelines
Fiber-reinforced plastic pipelines are a potential solution for hydrogen distribution, as they are cheaper to install and can be obtained in longer sections, reducing welding requirements. FRP pipelines also have the potential to be more reliable and durable than steel pipelines.
