Gravity-Head Geothermal Energy Conversion System
- Key words
- Power Generation; Binary Power Plant; Moderate Temperature; USA; Increased Efficiency; Systems Cycle; In Well Heat Exchanger; Organic Rankine Cycle; Plant Diagram; Performance Prediction; US DOE; Sperry Research Center
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Binary cycle power generation; Power plant design and operat
- Language
- English
Abstract
A novel electric power generating system for low temperature hot water geothermal resources is described. This so-called "gravity head" system is a binary plant with the primary heat exchanger in the production well to a depth of 2000 feet. This configuration results in a novel heat engine cycle which eliminates the "pinch effect" in the primary heat exchanger and the working fluid feed pump and provides a major decrease in brine pumping power. The net effect is a 37% increase in net electric output power over a "conventional" binary plant under equivalent conditions and cost.
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