Power Potential of Initial Bore Discharge

Abstract

The electric power potential of a discharging geothermal well is determined from the product of three parameters; thermal efficiency, flowrate, and stagnation enthalpy. The first factor is sensitive to enthalpy and when a lip pressure tapping is used, so is the second factor. For a dry steam discharge, the stagnation enthalpy can be taken as 2804 kJ/kg so that all parameters are calculable, hence permitting the power potential to be evaluated. For wells fed from a hot water reservoir, the maximum discharging-pressure is used to determine enthalpy; hence for both types of wells, A quick result is achieved with minimum equipment and of adequate accuracy.