SDG and E/ERDA geothermal loop experimental facility. Bi-monthly report, January--February 1977
Progress is reported in research on the Geothermal Loop Experimental Facility (GLEF), which operated for 758 hours during January and February 1977 with geothermal brine from both Magmamax No. 1 and Woolsey No. 1 wells. The facility was shut down for two weeks for the first major cleaning of the plant. The cleaning was accomplished by hand-scraping the large vessels, hydroblasting (high pressure water jets) portions of the reinjection line, and acid soaking, followed in most instances by hydroblasting, of the facility brine drain lines. The deepening of Woolsey No. 1 well to approximately 3490 feet was completed. Flow tests of Woolsey were attempted, with resumption of facility operation utilizing Magmamax No. 3 as the reinjection well. Insufficient geothermal fluid pressure at the Woolsey No. 1 wellhead resulted in several intermittent operations. Remedial measures undertaken included high pressure injection (hydrofracture) using a separate pump on Magmamax No. 2 and back flushing using a nitrogen purge on Magmamax No. 3. After these remedial measures were taken, the injection-well back pressure remained high, thus limiting the reinjection operation. Downhole data under these low flow conditions were gathered in order to determine further remedial actions. Typical reinjection conditions during this time were 400 gpm, 450 psig and 200/sup 0/F at the plant boundary. Final Woolsey No. 1 wellhead conditions were approximately 200 psig and 400/sup 0/F, indicating that an adequate supply of geothermal brine to the GLEF is very probable. No change in the GLEF brine and steam chemistry occurred during this reporting period. Scaling occurred throughout the system with the greatest deposition in the injection pump and lines. Scale composition varied from an iron, lead, silica mixture in the initial plant stages to a predominantly silica scale in the last stage and injection line. Installation of the electronic data logging system was completed. (JGB)
- Research Organization:
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, N.Y. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-03-1137
- OSTI ID:
- 7296215
- Report Number(s):
- SAN/1137-5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
SDG and E - ERDA Geothermal Loop, Experimental Facility. Bi-monthly report, November-December 1976
Geothermal Loop Experimental Facility. Quarterly report, January-March, 1979
Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TEST FACILITIES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
REINJECTION
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
INJECTION WELLS
SCALING
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLEANING
CONDENSATES
DESCALING
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
FLOW RATE
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
PUMPS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
CORROSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
POWER PLANTS
SURFACE FINISHING
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150801* - Geothermal Power Plants- Design & Operation
150903 - Geothermal Engineering- Corrosion
Scaling & Materials Development