Geothermal Steam Water Separator Sizing for Optimizing Power Plant Cost

Abstract

One of the steps in flash geothermal power plant design is determining a suitable separator size based on the chosen separator type. There are two main types of separators: horizontal and vertical separators. The challenge is how to decide the proper type and the optimum size. The choice of the separator type normally depends on the developer preference and experience. However, this choice will affect the investment cost of the separator in each project. The smaller size of separator requires less material therefore lower the cost. It simplifies fabrication as well as easy delivery and site installation.
The main parameters for designing the separator are geothermal fluid enthalpy, mass flow rate and operating pressure. Five different reported models were used to calculate, the vessel diameter, separator length, vessel surface area and vessel volume. The modeling did not consider the pressure drop within the separator or separator efficiency.
Several simulations were conducted to understand how the input parameters affect the separator sizing. Actual field data were used to validate the result.