Cold Ends in Geothermal Power Plants

Abstract

Cold end of a power plant refers to the condenser and the systems required for condensing the steam, or binary vapor, flowing from the turbine and for maintaining the required pressure in the condenser. The design of the cold end for geothermal power plants is site specific and adapted to the conditions for each power plant. Important items are e.g. the characteristics of the resource, power generating process, ambient conditions and environmental requirements. The efficiency of the power generating cycle is highly dependent on the cold end, which consumes most of the parasitic load of the power plant and frequently cold end constructions are prominent and important for the appearance of the power plant. An overview of the available cold end designs is presented along with discussion on the characteristics of the major types. The cold end designs are reviewed from the point of effective utilization of the resource, operation, water balance, gas abatement, co-generation of heat and power and environmental issues. Discussion and review will include experience of operating different types of cold ends.