Thermal and hydraulic performance of a sieve-tray direct-contact heat exchanger

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5791673

Mines, G L; Wiggins, D J

Experiments investigating the thermal and hydraulic performance of a sieve tray direct contact heat exchanger (DCHX) were conducted using a 275/sup 0/ geothermal fluid as an energy source and different hydrocarbons as working fluids. The baseline performance tests with the direct contact unit were conducted with isobutane. The thermal performance of the unit met or exceeded the design goals for individual tray thermal efficiencies and pinch points. Hydraulically the column operated near recommended design fluid velocities. Following the completion of these tests, the DCHX was operated with different mixtures of hydrocarbon working fluids. Different combinations of the isobutane/hexane family were tested followed by a series with propane/isopentane fluids. The testing conducted with the direct contact unit showed that the sieve tray column is a very efficient heat exchange device although some degradation in boiling tray efficiency and column throughput were noted when mixtures were used.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5791673
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-00383; CONF-830812-55; ON: DE84000663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
2-METHYLBUTANE
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
EFFICIENCY
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
POWER PLANTS
PROPANE
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WORKING FLUIDS