Program: Collaborative Research for Common Regional Issues (CRC)
Field: Chemical Engineering
Principal Investigator: Asst. Prof. Dr. Himawan Tri Bayu Murti Petrus
Sending University: Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
Japanese Co-Investigator: Prof. Dr. Masatoshi KUBOUCHI
Japanese University: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Year: 2015
Abstract:
Silica scaling is one of major problems in geothermal power plant. In order to minimize the propensity of silica scaling, silica precipitation will be conducted. Due to the abundance of the silica precipitates resulted in this approach, a comprehensive and massive silica utilization needs to be conducted. In this study, the precipitated silica will be utilized as material construction as per geopolymer cement and polymer composite. The optimization of variables affected the formation of both materials will be observed as well as the kinetics of the formation. Thus, at the end, it can be design an effective process and production. the network between university and geothermal industries get closer. Results of this research will be further studied for mass production. In addition other topics related to chemical engineering expertise has also been developed (i.e. evaluation of turbine efficiency, mitigation of non condensable gas (NCG) from geothermal power plant turbine, the evaluation of multiple flash in geothermal steam generation to increase the electricity production, etc) my students has higher awareness on real problem in industries need to be solved. In case of my research group we could accelerate our research activities on silica utilization not only on the geopolymer cement but also other products, i.e aerogel, silica for catalyst, etc Results of my research is expected to provide higher efficiency in geothermal power plant due to the elimination of silica scaling. In addition the resulted silica can be utilized for material construction in the form of geopolymer cement.