en.Wedoany.com Reported - Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems (Fraunhofer IEG) is developing a method for descaling geothermal boreholes, aiming to remove mineral deposits in deep geothermal wells with minimal downtime. The project, named ROSIGER (Reservoir-Optimized Scale Inhibition and Removal for Geothermal Energy Resources), is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with approximately €3 million over a three-year period.
The project aims to develop a continuous, safe, and cost-effective descaling process. The core technology employs coiled tubing, which allows tools to be positioned and operated during borehole operation without requiring shutdowns. Compared to re-drilling through scaling layers, the coiled tubing method requires less time, material, and labor.
Volker Wittig, project manager at Fraunhofer IEG, stated that the project aims to enhance geothermal power generation efficiency through user-friendly technology, promoting the reliable integration of geothermal energy into the European energy market, thereby fostering regionalized and future-oriented value creation.
The project team identified and evaluated several most effective and optimally combined methods for removing and discharging mineral deposits, testing their compatibility with coiled tubing technology. Fraunhofer IEG optimized individual components through laboratory tests, followed by two consecutive field tests at the geothermal production well of project partner Stadtwerke München (Munich Municipal Utilities) to assess the overall process success rate.
The method uses the Malm formation, a limestone layer in Bavaria, as a test sample, with plans to extend it to all other geological formations in the future.
Evaluation is based on detailed analysis of borehole measurements and multiple technical and economic indicators, including descaling efficiency, cleaning time, and reliability. These indicators will be compared with existing methods to measure the new process's progress, effectiveness, and economic feasibility. In addition to removing mineral deposits from pipe walls and boreholes, the technology can also be used for general maintenance tasks such as borehole sand removal and clearing salt deposit blockages in the future.
Fraunhofer IEG is active in multiple research areas within the geothermal field, including reservoir simulation, shallow geothermal systems, and the transition of former mining areas to geothermal energy. In 2025, the institute received €52 million in funding to build a geothermal research "real-world laboratory" in Aachen.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
