Small biphase wellhead plant for the Cerro Prieto Mexico geothermal field
In a system of geothermal wells in a geothermal field, there are different production conditions of the flows, temperatures and pressures. At plants where the installed capacity requires the use of many wells, it is necessary to regulate the well`s pressure to ensure a stable condition for the turbines. Reducing the steam pressure on the wellhead is achieved by using an orifice plate (flash orifice). Use of an orifice plate results in a waste or loss of well pressure that could be utilized for production of electricity. The Cerro Prieto field, operated by the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), has many wells operating at a very high pressure and producing a lot of water. Much of this pressure and water is not utilized in the production of electricity. With the purpose of taking advantage of this pressure CFE has evaluated a proposal by Biphase Energy Co. Biphase has designed and patented a turbine that works directly with the steam and water mixture coming from the wellhead, acting as a separator. Biphase has developed a model of its turbine and successfully operated it in Coso Hot Springs California. Knowing this CFE has signed an agreement with Biphase Energy Company to install and operate a biphasic turbine at the Cerro Prieto geothermal field located near Mexicali, Mexico.
- OSTI ID:
- 494409
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960913-; TRN: 97:002642-0086
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Annual meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council, Portland, OR (United States), 29 Sep - 2 Oct 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Geothermal development in the Pacific rim. Transactions, Volume 20; PB: 886 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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