Mammoth geothermal power plant: operation update
The Mammoth Geothermal Power Plant, the world's first modular, air-cooled binary plant, was designed to produce a year-round average of 7 megawatts of electrical power, net. Firm power was first produced in February 1985. Reservoir performance has been excellent. There is no evidence of a decline in productivity, and injection well pressures have been lower than anticipated. Downhole pumps have been in operation over one year, without servicing. Early problems due to resonant frequencies in the turbine have been solved. Heat exchanger fouling has been as expected. The isobutane pumps and the air coolers have performed in accordance with expectations. Plans are underway to expand the geothermal development at Mammoth, employing the Magmamax process and the same environmentally benign design concepts. Design specification and operation are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Ben Holt Co., Pasadena, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6951614
- Journal Information:
- Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States), Vol. 18:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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150801* - Geothermal Power Plants- Design & Operation