The reduced pumping power requirements from increasing the injection well fluid density

Benjamin M. Adams, Thomas H. Kuehn, Jimmy B Randolph, Martin O. Saar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The reduction of parasitic loads is a key component to the operational efficiency of geothermal power plants, which include reductions in pump power requirements. Variations in fluid density, as seen in CO2-based geothermal plants have resulted in the elimination of pumping requirements, known as a thermosiphon; this effect, while less pronounced, is also found in traditional brine geothermal systems. Therefore, we find the reductions in pumping power requirements for traditional 20 wt% NaCl brine and CO2 geothermal power systems by increasing the injection fluid density. For a reduction in temperature of 1°C at a 15°C surface condition, a traditional brine system was found to require up to 2kWe less pumping power. A CO2 system in the same condition was found to require up to 42 kWe less power. When the density of the injected brine was increased by increasing the salinity of the injected fluid to 21 wt% NaCl, the injection pumping requirement decreased as much as 45 kWe. Both distillation and reverse osmosis processes were simulated to increase the salinity while producing 7 kg s -1 fresh water. The pumping power reduction does not account for the increased energy cost of salination; however, this may still be economical in locations of water scarcity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting, GRC 2013
Subtitle of host publicationA Global Resource, from Larderello to Las Vegas
Pages667-672
Number of pages6
EditionPART 2
StatePublished - 2013
EventGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting: A Global Resource, from Larderello to Las Vegas, GRC 2013 - Las Vegas, NV, United States
Duration: Sep 29 2013Oct 2 2013

Publication series

NameTransactions - Geothermal Resources Council
NumberPART 2
Volume37
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Other

OtherGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting: A Global Resource, from Larderello to Las Vegas, GRC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas, NV
Period9/29/1310/2/13

Keywords

  • CO
  • Operational efficiency
  • Parasitic losses
  • Pumping
  • Reverse osmosis
  • Thermodynamics
  • Thermosiphon

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