Analysis of binary thermodynamic cycles for a moderately low-temperature geothermal resource
Analyses of a number of geothermal binary-cycles were made with the objective of finding a cycle which can produce low-cost electrical energy from a moderately low-temperature geothermal resource. Cycles were screened which included isobutane, pentane, cis-2-butene, and several mixed-hydrocarbon working fluids. Dual- and triple-boiling cycles were analyzed. Both shell-and-tube and direct-contact boilers, heaters, and condensers were assessed. A geothermal fluid (geo-fluid), typical of Raft River resource conditions was assumed, which has a temperature of 290/sup 0/F and 52 parts per million dissolved nitrogen. Special emphasis in the analyses was directed toward investigation of several methods for keeping the loss of working fluid for the cycle at an acceptable level. It was concluded that for the Raft River geo-fluid, the direct-contact cycle has a potential for net geofluid utilization effectiveness values, (watt-hr/lbm geo-fluid) equivalent to those of the shell-and-tube cycle. Therefore, because of the lower cost of direct-contact components, a potential exists for the direct-contact plant to produce lower cost electrical energy than a comparable shell-and-tube plant. Advanced cycles were assessed which showed improvements in net geo-fluid utilization effectivness, relative to the first Raft River 5-MW Pilot Plant (dual-boiling, shell-and-tube isobutane cycle), of up to 19%.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-07-1570
- OSTI ID:
- 6170562
- Report Number(s):
- TREE-1365
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
CALCULATION METHODS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
PILOT PLANTS
WORKING FLUIDS
RECOVERY
2-METHYLPROPANE
BOILERS
BUTENES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONDENSERS
COOLING TOWERS
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
ENERGY BALANCE
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
HYDROCARBONS
MASS BALANCE
PENTANE
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
ALKANES
ALKENES
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
IDAHO
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
Geothermal Legacy
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components