Downwell pump reliability: Geothermal experience update: Final report
Geothermal resources with temperatures between 250/sup 0/ and 360/sup 0/F (121/sup 0/C and 182/sup 0/C) are prime candidates for binary-cycle power generation, and constitute about 80% of the power-capable resources in the United States. The successful exploitation of these resources requires reliable high-capacity downwell brine production pumps, but earlier experience showed that high-capacity, high-temperature geothermal production pumps had many problems which resulted in a mean time-to-failure (MTTF) of less than 1000 h. However, steady progress has been made since 1981, and a large body of experience has been acquired by three geothermal binary plants. This survey of high-temperature geothermal downwell pump users and manufacturers updates a prior survey (AP-3572) completed in early 1983. This survey traces the development of lineshaft pump technology from the late 1970s to the present (mid-1987), detailing the advances in design, materials selection, and operating practices. Case histories of 72 lineshaft pumps installed at three geothermal binary plants since late 1981 are documented, including some detailed cause of failure reports. In the recent past, pump lives in excess of 7000 h have become common, but a high continuing rate of premature failures resulted in a mean time-to-failure (MTTF) of about 5000 h. Based on recent advances which appear likely to eliminate most premature failures, the estimated near-term MTTF will be on the order of 8000 h. The survey found almost no development of high-temperature geothermal electric submersible pumps (ESP's) or close-coupled downwell hydraulic turbopumps, and concluded that considerable development and demonstration will be needed before these technologies are able to compete with existing high-temperature geothermal lineshaft pump technology. 36 refs., 10 figs., 25 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Radian Corp., Austin, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5531454
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-AP-5600; ON: TI88920184
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
PUMPS
DESIGN
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
RELIABILITY
AVAILABILITY
BOREHOLES
BRINES
CORROSION
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
INFORMATION
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
STATISTICAL DATA
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CAVITIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DOCUMENT TYPES
NUMERICAL DATA
POWER PLANTS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components