Low-grade geothermal energy conversion by organic Rankine cycle turbine generator

Conference · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5419526

Zarling, J P; Aspnes, J D

This paper reports results of a demonstration project which helped determine the feasibility of converting low-grade thermal energy in 49/sup 0/C water into electrical energy via an organic Rankine cycle 2500 watt (electrical) turbine-generator. The geothermal source which supplied the water is located in a rural Alaskan village. The primary reasons an organic Rankine cycle turbine-generator was investigated as a possible source of electric power in rural Alaska are: high cost of operating diesel-electric units and their poor long-term reliability when high-quality maintenance is unavailable; and the extremely high level of long-term reliability reportedly attained by commercially available organic Rankine cycle turbines. The important contribution made by this project is data provided on the thermal and electrical operating characteristics of an experimental organic Rankine cycle turbine-generator operating at a uniquely low vaporizer temperature.

• Research Organization: School of Engineering, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska
• OSTI ID: 5419526
• Report Number(s): CONF-830812-
• Journal Information: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 1; Conference: 18. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL, USA, 21 Aug 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
TURBOGENERATORS
ALASKA
COST
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
DIESEL ENGINES
ELECTRIC POWER
EVAPORATORS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
LOW TEMPERATURE
MAINTENANCE
RELIABILITY
THERMAL WATERS
CONVERSION
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINES
FEDERAL REGION X
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
POWER SYSTEMS
USA
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components