Resource utilization efficiency improvement of geothermal binary cycles, phase I. Semiannual progress report, June 15, 1975--December 15, 1975

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7291607· OSTI ID:7291607

Starling, K E; Fish, L W; Iqbal, K Z; Yieh, D

A summary of the research carried out prior to the start and during the first half of this project is presented. A description of the geothermal binary cycle and procedures for cycle thermodynamic analysis focusing on the question of resource utilization are discussed. General and specific criteria for preliminary selection of working fluids and operating conditions for binary cycles are considered in terms of equipment and working fluid costs and in terms of resource utilization efficiency. Steps are given for preliminary binary cycle design computations. Preliminary evaluations of alternative pure working fluid, ideal thermodynamic cycles are illustrated. The development of the working fluid mixture thermodynamic cycle, GEO 1, using the improved versions of previously developed thermodynamic properties routines was the first of several significant accomplishments during the first half of this project. Documentation of the thermodynamic properties program which can calculate densities, enthalpies, entropies, heat capacities, K-values for vapor and liquid mixtures (limited presently to hydrocarbons), flashes, dew and bubble points, isentropic and isenthalpic state changes, has been completed. Preliminary calculations using GEO 1 have indicated that mixture cycles yield greater net power output than either pure propane, isobutane, or isopentane cycles when equal heat exchanger log mean temperature differences are considered and also when optimized ideal cycles are compared. Steps to upgrade GEO 1 with equipment sizing and economics routines to produce GEO 2 and GEO 3 simulators were begun.

• Research Organization: Oklahoma Univ., Norman (USA). School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
• DOE Contract Number: E(40-1)-4944
• OSTI ID: 7291607
• Report Number(s): ORO-4944-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
THERMODYNAMICS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
WORKING FLUIDS
EFFICIENCY
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
COST
DESIGN
HEAT EXCHANGERS
PERFORMANCE
PROPANE
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Geothermal Legacy
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components