The Influence of Evaporator Parameters on the Effectiveness of Geothermal Power Plant Operation

Abstract

In the paper presented are the results of calculations of effectiveness of ORC cycle operation at different parameters of supplied geothermal water feeding the evaporator. Calculations encompassing the efficiency and power of ORC cycle will be carried out for different types of organic fluids, which are characterized by different temperatures of evaporation. In all considered cases assumed have been same temperatures of condensation ensuring the comparable heat exchange conditions between condensation and environment. It stems from the preliminary calculations that the effectiveness of operation of geothermal power plant is influenced not only by the effectiveness of C-R cycle but also the extent of its power. The increase of the latter quantity is influenced by the increase of the flow rate of supplied geothermal water. It stems from the calculations also that the efficiency of the CR cycle does not influence the increase of power of C-R cycle. On that basis the authors of the paper have proposed a new design of the evaporator. As a result of a new a new design evaporation temperature of the working fluid is reduced but the power of the cycle increases due to increase of the flow rate of working fluid in the cycle. Such solution can be applied in the case of pre-heaters and super-heaters. Other ways of increase of effectiveness of operation of geothermal plant have been presented in final conclusions.