Experimental testing of a direct contact heat exchanger for geothermal brine. Final report, July 1, 1978-February 1, 1979
A series of direct contact heat exchanger (DCHX) experiments were conducted at the East Mesa Geothermal Test Site during the period July 1, 1978 to February 1, 1979. The purpose of these tests was to provide additional data necessary to better understand the thermal and hydraulic characteristics of the DCHX binary cycle loop components that may be used to extract energy from geothermal brines. Isobutane and Isopentane were tested as secondary working fluids. The analytical and experimental efforts were directed at the problems of working fluid loss in the effluent brine, carryover of water vapor with the vaporized secondary fluid and the free CO/sub 2/ content of the feed brine. The tests aimed at evaluating the heat transfer performance of various type tubes installed in vertical shell-and-tube secondary fluid condensers. Data was collected while operating a low temperature isopentane cycle with brine preflashed to 210 to 212/sup 0/F; the objective being to gain insight to waste heat recovery applications such as the Arkansas Power and Light project. Possible alternatives for isobutane recovery from the spent brine were investigated. A system was designed and the economic aspects studied.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5557162
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/SUB-79/13564/1; ORNL/SUB-79/45736/1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Development of direct heat exchangers for geothermal brines. Final report, October 4, 1977--June 30, 1978
Test results from the 500 kW direct contact pilot plant at East Mesa
Related Subjects
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
EAST MESA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RECOVERY
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
TUBES
WORKING FLUIDS