Improving the Efficiency and Reliability of Existing and Perspective Russian Geothermal Power Plants

Abstract

Russia develops, designs, manufactures and operates geothermal power plants (GeoPP). Geothermal power units with a total installed capacity of about 80 MW operate on the steam-hydrotherms of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. The fully automated Mutnovskaya GeoPP with a capacity of 50 (2x25) MW has been successfully generating electricity in Kamchatka since 2002. To ensure efficient and reliable operation of the Mutnovskaya GeoPP power units, corrosion and deposits prevention methods based on the use of film-forming amines are developed/applied: octadecylamine during the scheduled maintenance period and helamine during the operation of the power units. The feasibility of increasing the efficiency of geothermal fluid utilization at existing and prospective Russian power plants based on the use of the combined geothermal power plant technological scheme with a binary cycle is being considered. The use of a hydrogen superheater to increase the energy potential of the saturated steam from the production well (primary steam) and flashed steam from separator (secondary steam) is planned. The operation of the hydrogen superheater is ensured by the utilization of excess electricity produced by GeoPP during the period of daily power reduction.