China launched its first geothermal heating project using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) on May 19 in Zhengzhou, Henan province, with its core engineering designed by Jiangsu Better Pipeline Technology Co, based in Jiangyan district, Taizhou, Jiangsu province.
Instead of using water to transfer heat, this project uses sCO2, which has higher density and lower flow resistance. This boosts heat extraction by about 20 percent and cuts energy consumption for heating by 10 percent. Most importantly, it doesn't extract groundwater, preventing any damage to the local geology.
The project will provide winter heating for over 18,000 square meters of residential homes. Every year, it will replace about 288 metric tons of standard coal and reduce CO2 emissions by roughly 750 tons.
For a long time, using sCO2 for geothermal energy faced issues such as sealing failures, pipe corrosion and leaks, and ground temperature imbalance. Jiangsu Better Pipeline Technology solved these challenges by studying the ground conditions to prevent leaks from the start, using their own patented high-pressure, anti-corrosion pipes, and introducing a smart control system to keep the temperature and pressure stable.
Founded in 2005, the company specializes in pipeline equipment. It currently holds 45 invention patents and 108 utility model patents, with many technologies filling gaps in the domestic market.
A sweeping view of Jiangyan distirct. [Photo/WeChat account: jyrmzf]