An ORC Power Plant Operating on a Low-Temperature (165F) Geothermal Source
- Key words
- Power Plants; organic rankine cycle, ORC, geothermal power, carrier, UTC, UTC power, r134a, r245fa, low-temperature, oil/gas, Chena Hot Springs
- Location
- Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 2006
- Session
- Low temperature reservoirs
- Language
- English
Abstract
Organic Rankine Cycle power production from low temperature resources has inherently a low thermal efficiency. Low efficiency requires increased power plant equipment size (turbine, condenser, pump and boiler) that can become cost prohibitive. The use of ORC power plant hardware derived from air-conditioning equipment overcomes this cost problem since air-conditioning hardware has a cost structure almost an order of magnitude smaller than that of traditional power generating equipment. Using the HVAC derivative concept, a low-cost 230 kW ORC power plant has been developed. This paper describes the design and qualification testing of an ORC unit at UTRC that is suitable for low temperature, geothermal energy sources.
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