Helical-rotor expander applications for geothermal energy conversion

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7177467· OSTI ID:7177467

House, P A

The helical-rotor expander is one of numerous candidates for the direct ''total flow'' expansion of geothermal fluids. The potential exists for expansion efficiencies as high as 70 percent. Engine efficiencies will generally be below 70 percent because of an expansion-ratio limitation of 15 and a maximum pressure differential of 110 psi. Single-stage expansion of self-pumped geothermal fluids from reservoirs at 350 to 752/sup 0/F gives engine efficiencies in the range from 57.3 to 43.1 percent. Calculated rotor diameters range from 10.5 to 41.6 ft for a range of outputs of 5 to 40 MW. Two-stage expansion of fluid from the 572/sup 0/F reservoir gives an engine efficiency of 62.3 percent and a 21 percent reduction in the diameter of the larger rotor. Rotor diameters can be held to more reasonable sizes by using the expander in combination with a vapor turbine.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7177467
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52043
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
TOTAL FLOW SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
HELICAL CONFIGURATION
HYBRID SYSTEMS
ROTORS
SIZE
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal Legacy
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components