Geothermal field tests: heat exchanger evaluation
Results of the heat exchanger tests conducted on a scale model of a heat exchanger that has been designed and fabricated for the Geothermal Test Facility show that this exchanger will lose 60% of its heat transfer capability and fall below design requirements after 92 hours of operation. When the test exchanger was clean and operating as close as possible to design conditions, its overall heat transfer coefficient was 426 BTU/hr-ft/sup 2/ - /sup 0/f. when calculating in the fouling factor of .0035 this gave a design coefficient of 171 BTU/hr-ft/sup 2/ - /sup 0/f which was reached after less than four days of steady state operation. Thermal shocking of the test heat exchanger once each hour while the exchanger was operating at design conditions had no effect on scale removal or heat transfer. Results of tube cleaning showed that chemical treatment with 30% hydrochloric acid followed by a high pressure water jet (6000 psig), was effective in removing scale from tubes contacted with geothermal brine. After cleaning, the tubes were examined and some pitting was observed throughout the length of one tube.
- Research Organization:
- San Diego Gas and Electric Co., CA (USA). Electric Production Dept.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76ET28443
- OSTI ID:
- 6481290
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/28443-T5; ON: DE81026868
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
FIELD TESTS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
OPERATION
PITTING CORROSION
SCALE CONTROL
TEST FACILITIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
CORROSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
POWER PLANTS
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal Legacy
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components