Study and testing of direct contact heat exchangers for geothermal brines. Phase II, August 1976--June 1977

Technical Report · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6070316· OSTI ID:6070316

Suratt, W B; Lee, C O

The analytical and experimental studies completed under this project have explored several aspects of geothermal binary power cycles and column type direct contact heat exchangers between geothermal brine and isobutane. A major improvement of the heat exchanger was developed by the combination of the preheater and boiler into a single continuous column. At East Mesa, this new direct contact heat exchanger was tested on geothermal brine in order to correlate the experimental heat transfer data with the theoretical model for use in designing larger plants. Experiments also involved a small radial inflow turbine to produce electricity which marked the first generation of electricity from geothermal brine using a binary cycle. In analytical studies, a comparison of the relationship between column diameter and droplet size was made for both Minard--Johnson and Sakiadis--Johnson model. The Letan--Kehat model for relating column height and temperature profile was analyzed and compared with experimental data. It appears that the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical models. A detailed design of a 250 Kw pilot plant incorporating the direct contact heat exchanger was completed. This design with estimated costs for it and a 500 Kw pilot plant is incorporated.

• Research Organization: DSS Engineers, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6070316
• Report Number(s): ORO-4893-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
DESIGN
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROCARBONS
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER RANGE 100-1000 KW
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS