MODERN INSTRUMENTATION FOR GEOTHERMAL WATER AND STEAM MEASUREMENT – A CASE STUDY ON ULTRASONIC FLOW, VORTEX FLOW, AND RADAR LEVEL

Abstract

As a geothermal steamfield evolves it is often necessary to retrofit and upgrade instrumentation to collect additional information for regulatory compliance, increase reliability or facilitate new process controls. Geothermal temperatures, scaling and chemical content have traditionally caused difficulty with instrumentation, and the tendency has been to limit instrumentation or use very simple devices (dP flow elements, mechanical level switches, etc.). This paper presents general information to consider when selecting new and novel instruments as well as a case study on the installation, use, issues and results of testing of several different types of devices including ultrasonic meters for brine flow, vortex meters for steam and brine flow, radar for weir box and drain pot level for process measurement and control at Contact Energy.