The parameters determining the usefulness of geothermal reservoirs are temperature, producibility and chemistry of the brine (or steam). Accurate measurement of these parameters is necessary to make the decisions for development, production, utilization and marketing of geothermal resources. We have designed and constructed two mobile test facilities for determining the characteristics of geothermal fluids and reservoirs, i.e. temperature, pressure, flow rate, enthalpy, and chemistry. Our initial efforts were directed towards identification of the phases of geothermal development and the quantification of requirements for testing and measurement during these phases. It was during this period that we identified the need that the mobile test capability be split into two units. The first unit is the Mobile Chemical Analysis Trailer, CAT, which has the capability of measuring the chemical composition of geothermal brines and other waters, e.g. hot springs. One of its major functions will be to accurately prepare samples for shipment for more detailed chemical analysis. The second unit is the Geothermal Energy Evaluation Prototype, GEEP, which is used for determination of flow rate, enthalpy, temperature, pressure of the geothermal for chemical analysis.

Figure 1 shows the phases of geothermal development and how the CAT and GEEP interact to obtain the required information. This figure shows that as field development progresses additional larger size process test units will be required to provide final design information for the power plants and field development. The information required to design these larger size test units will come from CAT and GEEP. The operations of these larger sized units will in part be evaluated by use of CAT and GEEP.

The use of CAT and GEEP is thus very valuable to our overall geothermal development. The units have been designed to provide rapid, accurate infomation, be highly mobile and thus minimize the costs and time.

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