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Ceramic Media for
Renewable Energy

At CARBO Ceramics, we specialize in delivering innovative ceramic-based solutions
that enhance the durability, efficiency, and performance of energy systems.

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Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy
Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy

Challenge

Boosting Geothermal and CSP with Durable Ceramic Solutions

The growing demand for clean, sustainable energy has led to increased interest in advanced technologies like geothermal energy and concentrated solar power (CSP) towers. Both sources offer enormous potential, but they face significant challenges.

Geothermal energy, while continuous and reliable, often encounters harsh subsurface conditions, such as high temperatures, corrosive fluids, and abrasive environments that can quickly wear down infrastructure. Similarly, CSP towers harness the sun’s heat efficiently but face operational difficulties, including extreme thermal stresses, material degradation, and the need for highly durable components to maintain peak performance.

  • Our high-strength, corrosion-resistant ceramics are engineered to withstand the extreme conditions found in geothermal wells, significantly extending the lifespan of equipment and reducing operational costs. In CSP towers, our products help mitigate thermal fatigue and improve energy capture, leading to more reliable and long-lasting systems.

  • By leveraging our advanced materials, CARBO Ceramics brings measurable value to these emerging technologies, helping to overcome the key technical barriers and unlock their full potential in the transition to a sustainable energy future.

  • 16GW

    Geothermal installed capacity in
    2023.

  • 7GW

    CSP installed Capacity.

  • 20X

    growth by 2050.

Our Solutions

Key Functions of
Ceramic Proppants in Geothermal Wells

  • 01

    Fracture Support

    Geothermal energy extraction involves injecting high-pressure water to create fractures in hot rock formations. Ceramic proppants are injected along with the water into these fractures to prevent them from closing. This helps maintain a network of pathways for the hot water or steam to flow through the reservoir.

  • 02

    High Strength Under Extreme Conditions

    Geothermal reservoirs often exist in environments with extreme temperatures and pressures. Our products are designed to be highly durable and capable of withstanding these conditions without breaking down. This makes them ideal for long-term use in harsh geothermal environments, where traditional materials might fail.

  • 03

    Improved Permeability

    CARBO’s products enhance the permeability of the rock formations by keeping the fractures open over time. This is crucial because geothermal energy relies on the continuous flow of heat-carrying fluids through the fractures. Without highly technological ceramic proppants, these fractures might close or narrow, reducing heat extraction efficiency.

  • 04

    Resistance to Chemical Degradation

    The fluids used in geothermal wells can often be corrosive or chemically aggressive. CARBO’s products are chemically inert, which is resistant to corrosion and other chemical interactions. This helps ensure that they maintain their structural integrity, even in chemically challenging environments.

  • 05

    Thermal Stability

    Geothermal reservoirs can reach temperatures exceeding 200°C (392°F). Our Products maintain their strength and effectiveness at these elevated temperatures, ensuring that they continue to function in extreme thermal conditions over the life of the geothermal well.

By using CARBO’s innovative proppants, geothermal wells can achieve enhanced heat extraction, improved flow rates, and longer operational lifetimes, making the overall energy extraction process more efficient and cost-effective.

In Enhanced Geothermal Systems, artificial reservoirs are created in regions with hot rock but minimal natural permeability. CARBO’s proppants play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of these engineered fractures, ensuring that the hot water or steam flows efficiently through the system and contributing to more reliable energy generation.

Career

Tailored Geothermal
Solution

Yes, CARBO Ceramics offers tailored solutions for geothermal projects. Their engineering team works closely with geothermal operators to develop proppants that meet the unique needs of each reservoir, ensuring optimal performance and maximum efficiency for each well.

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Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy

About Concentrated Solar Power

Ensuring Reliable Renewable Energy

Unlike solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, CSP can incorporate thermal storage, allowing energy to be stored for use when the sun isn’t shining, such as during cloudy periods or at night. This makes CSP a highly valuable technology for providing consistent, on-demand renewable energy.

One of the most common methods for storing thermal energy in CSP systems is through the use of molten salt as a heat transfer and storage medium. Molten salt has a high heat capacity, meaning it can store large amounts of thermal energy efficiently, which is then used to generate electricity when required.

Efficient Solutions

Key Functions of
Ceramic Media in Concentrated Solar Power

  • 01

    Temperature Limitations

    Molten salt, typically a mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, has an operational temperature range of around 260°C to 565°C (500°F to 1050°F). Below its melting point, it solidifies, which can cause operational challenges, such as blockages in pipes or tanks. While this range is suitable for most CSP applications, it limits

  • 02

    Corrosion and Material Compatibility

    Although molten salts are chemically stable at high temperatures, they can be corrosive to common metals and alloys used in piping and storage tanks, especially at elevated temperatures. Corrosion-resistant materials are often required, which can significantly increase the cost of the system.

  • 03

    Freezing Risk

    One of the critical operational challenges of molten salt is its freezing point (around 260°C/500°F). If the molten salt cools below this temperature, it can solidify within pipes and components, leading to expensive maintenance and operational disruptions. Continuous heating is required to keep the salt in a liquid state, which increases energy consumption and operational complexity.

  • 04

    Cost and Infrastructure

    The use of molten salt requires specialized infrastructure, including insulated tanks and pipes to handle the high temperatures involved. These systems are often more expensive to build and maintain than other energy storage technologies, increasing the overall cost of CSP projects.

  • 05

    Thermal Degradation Over Time

    Over extended periods of operation, the molten salts can undergo thermal degradation, which reduces their effectiveness as a heat transfer medium. This degradation can affect the efficiency of the CSP system, requiring periodic replenishment or replacement of the salt.

  • INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

    Unlock Your Potential with Us

    CARBO has developed a cutting-edge product specifically engineered for use in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems. This innovative solution effectively addresses and overcomes the majority—if not all—of the limitations associated with traditional heat storage and transfer technologies. By eliminating these challenges, CARBO’s product enhances the efficiency and reliability of CSP systems, setting a new standard for thermal energy management in renewable energy applications.

    Contact us
    Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy

Our Products

Renewable Energy Solutions

Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy
Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy

CARBOBEAD HTM

CARBOBEAD HTM provide a unique combination of consistent thermal, physical, and chemical properties that provide economic and performance advantages in a wide variety of heat transfer and storage applications

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Representatives

Industry Solutions Advisors

Our renewable energy industry specialists are ready to assist with your inquiries. With expert knowledge and tailored solutions, we’ll help you achieve your goals. Contact us today!

  • About us

    Stacy Mcwhorter

  • Ceramic Media for Renewable Energy

    Zach Powers

Products & Services

New to the market

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Frequently Asked Questions

Concentrated Solar Power Systems & CARBO Ceramics Products

Using CARBO Ceramics proppants in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems can provide several advantages, particularly in improving efficiency and extending the lifespan of key components within these systems. Here’s how CARBO Ceramics proppants can add value to CSP operations:

  • Thermal stability at high temperatures

    CARBO Products for CSP are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, often well beyond the operational limits of molten salt or other conventional materials used in CSP systems. This high thermal stability ensures that the proppants can function effectively under the intense heat generated in CSP towers, allowing for more efficient heat transfer and better energy storage performance.

Challenge

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