Power-cycle studies for a geothermal electric plant for MX operating bases

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5244639· OSTI ID:5244639

Bliem, C J; Kochan, R J

Binary geothermal plants were investigated for providing electrical power for MX missile bases. A number of pure hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures were evaluated as working fluids for geothermal resource temperatures of 365, 400, and 450/sup 0/F. Cycle thermodynamic analyses were conducted for pure geothermal plants and for two types of coal-geothermal hybrid plants. Cycle performance results were presented as net geofluid effectiveness (net plant output in watts per geofluid flow in 1 bm/hr) and cooling water makeup effectiveness (net plant output in watts per makeup water flow in 1 bm/hr). A working fluid containing 90% (mass) isobutane/10% hexane was selected, and plant statepoints and energy balances were determined for 20MW(e) geothermal plants at each of the three resource temperatures. Working fluid heaters and condensers were sized for these plants. It is concluded that for the advanced plants investigated, geothermal resources in the 365 to 450/sup 0/F range can provide useful energy for powering MX missile bases.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5244639
• Report Number(s): EGG-GTH-5684; ON: DE82007157
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
WORKING FLUIDS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
HYBRID SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
2-METHYLPROPANE
BOTTOMING CYCLES
ENERGY BALANCE
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
MILITARY FACILITIES
MISSILES
MIXTURES
PERFORMANCE
POWER RANGE 10-100 MW
ALKANES
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
Geothermal Legacy
150801* - Geothermal Power Plants- Design & Operation