Engineering and economic analysis for the utilization of geothermal fluids in a cane sugar processing plant. Final report
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of geothermal resource utilization at the Puna Sugar Company cane sugar processing plant, located in Keaau, Hawaii. A proposed well site area was selected based on data from surface exploratory surveys. The liquid dominated well flow enters a binary thermal arrangement, which results in an acceptable quality steam for process use. Hydrogen sulfide in the well gases is incinerated, leaving sulfur dioxide in the waste gases. The sulfur dioxide in turn is recovered and used in the cane juice processing at the sugar factory. The clean geothermal steam from the binary system can be used directly for process requirements. It replaces steam generated by the firing of the waste fibrous product from cane sugar processing. The waste product, called bagasse, has a number of alternative uses, but an evaluation clearly indicated it should continue to be employed for steam generation. This steam, no longer required for process demands, can be directed to increased electric power generation. Revenues gained by the sale of this power to the utility, in addition to other savings developed through the utilization of geothermal energy, can offset the costs associated with hydrothermal utilization.
- Research Organization:
- Puna Sugar Co., Honolulu, HI (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- ET-78-C-03-1743
- OSTI ID:
- 5534462
- Report Number(s):
- SAN-1743-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
FOOD PROCESSING
GEOTHERMAL PROCESS HEAT
SUGAR CANE
BAGASSE
CRYSTALLIZATION
EVAPORATION
FOOD INDUSTRY
HAWAII
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
SACCHAROSE
STEAM GENERATION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHALCOGENIDES
DISACCHARIDES
ENERGY
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HEAT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
NORTH AMERICA
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLANTS
PROCESS HEAT
SACCHARIDES
SOLID WASTES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
USA
WASTES
WESTERN REGION
Geothermal Legacy
151000* - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization
299002 - Energy Planning & Policy- Geothermal- (-1989)