Electricity from Geothermal

Developing the Geothermal Resource for Power Generation  Geothermal Well Characteristics  Vapor Dominated  Dry Steam  Liquid Dominated  Bi-phase Fluids  Steam and Brine  Brine

Developing the Geothermal Resource for Power Generation  Geothermal Well Characteristics  Vapor Dominated  Dry Steam  Liquid Dominated  Bi-phase Fluids  Steam and Brine  Brine

Developing the Geothermal Resource for Power Generation  Geothermal Well Characteristics  Vapor Dominated  Dry Steam  Liquid Dominated  Bi-phase Fluids  Steam and Brine  Brine

Know the Geothermal Resource  What properties are presented by the resource?  Fluid Pressure at Wellhead  Fluid Temperature at Wellhead  What flow can the well support?  Is the resource “clean”?

Geothermal Steam Supply  Wellhead Separators  Steam Collection system  Condensate  Properties of the Steam Supply  350 Degree F  210 psi

Steam Separators  Brine collection system  Separator efficiency  20 / 80 ratio  Properties of the Brine  350 Degree F

Basics of Power Generation  Conservation of Energy  Energy Conversion  Chemical to Heat (Typical Thermal Unit)  Heat to Mechanical (Steam Driven Turbine)  Mechanical to Electrical (Generator)

Steam Turbines

Binary Turbines

Generators

3 Phase Power

Differences in Conversion Methods  Steam Systems  Single Flash  Double Flash  Binary System

Single Flash System

Dual Flash System

Binary System

Blundell Plant  Single Flash Design  Single turbine/Single generator  Turbine design data  Generator design data  Condenser design

Addition of Blundell Unit #2  Heat recovery system  Historical Brine flow vs Current Brine flow  340 Degree F vs 210 Degree F

Comparison of Condenser design  Wet type Condenser/Cooling Tower.  Dry Condenser.  Pros and Cons of each type.

Brine re-injection  Conservation of resource  Protection of wells  Effects of Temperature  Effects of pH  pH Control method  Balance of control  System Design complications

Complications of Unit Operation Water Induction (Mass water vs steam) Scaling Turbine Blades Back-pressure  Temperature and Pressure relationship  Gas in Condensate/Circulating Water  Ambient Temperature  Humidity  Wind Direction and Speed