A Geothermal Power Plant experiment operating problem due to the chemical and biological oxidation of sulfides in the geothermal condensate. Serious rhombic sulfur fouling occurred, both in lines and fill of the cooling tower and barometric condensers, causing loss of condenser vacuum and therefore electric power generation losses in both units.
Rhombic sulfur fouling concentration amounted to more than 94%, which is highly difficult to remove online.
The first unit, with initial capacity to produce 26.8 Mw, was producing only ~19.5 Mw. When the unit was taken offline, serious sulfur fouling was found in its condenser fill.
