The Economics of Geothermal Electricity Generation from Hydrothermal Resources Using the Biphase Rotary-Separator Turbine
- Key words
- Economics; Engineering; Operation Costs; Production Wells; Reinjection Wells; Capital Costs
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1981
- Session
- Economics; Turbines; Flash steam power generation; Binary cy
- Language
- English
Abstract
Geothermal power systems using a Biphase rotary separator turbine (RST) are compared to flash steam and binary systems. Application to geothermal fluids having temperatures from 280 to 680°F is considered. Brine production costs, capital equipment costs, and competing system efficiencies were taken from published studies. RST performance was extrapolated from field test results. Systems incorporation the Biphase RST are projected to produce power at a lower cost than binary or flash steam systems over temperatures from 360 to 680°F. Below 360°F the binary system was cheaper than the Biphase but by less than 10 percent. Based on economics, the market potential for the Biphase RST was estimated at 18,600 MW compared to 17,350 MW for flash steam, and 11,55 MW for binary.
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