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U.S. Department of Energy
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Report on design, construction, and testing of CO/sub 2/ breakout system for geothermal brines

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5228645· OSTI ID:5228645
A skid mounted test facility has been built for determining conditions at which CO/sub 2/ flashes from geothermal brines. The system has been checked and operated at one geothermal plant. It performed as designed. The equipment is designed to operate at temperatures and pressures typical of wells near Heber, California. (Nominally 180/sup 0/C and 300 to 500 psig). It has heat exchangers which can cool the brine to less than 70/sup 0/C. (The cooling water is recirculated after being cooled by a forced air heat exchanger). Breakout pressures can be determined for any temperature between 70/sup 0/C and wellhead temperature. An adjustable orifice provides final control on pressure required to initiate flashing. The orifice is at the bottom of a sight glass. A light beam shines through the sight glass and focuses on a photoelectric cell. The presence of bubbles scatters light and decreases the output of the cell. Results using the cell were more reproducible than those using the naked eye. Results from one test show a smooth curve over the temperature range 75/sup 0/C to 165/sup 0/C. Agreement between the experimental values and calculated ones is discussed.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5228645
Report Number(s):
PNL-5042; ON: DE84010241
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English