Basic operating concepts of a
Geothermal Power Plant
https://youtu.be/BEAqgBdwWmc
WELLS ARE DRILLED
A production well is drilled into a known geothermal reservoir. Typically, an injection well
is also drilled to return used geothermal fluids to the geothermal reservoir. Hot
geothermal fluids flow through pipes to a power plant for use in generating electricity.
STEAM TURNS THE TURBINE
Hot, pressurized geothermal fluid, or a secondary working fluid, is allowed to expand
rapidly and provide rotational or mechanical energy to turn the turbine blades on a shaft.
THE TURBINE DRIVES THE ELECTRIC GENERATOR
Rotational energy from the turning turbine shaft is used directly to spin magnets inside a
large coil and create electrical current. The turbine and generator are the primary pieces of
equipment used to convert geothermal energy to electrical energy.
TRANSMISSION - POWER LINES DELIVER ELECTRICITY
Electrical current from the generator is sent to a step-up transformer outside the power
plant. Voltage is increased in the transformer and electrical current is transmitted over
power lines to homes, buildings, and businesses.
Types and Process of geothermal
power plant
To produces electricity, the steam rotates a turbine that
activates a generator, There are three types of
geothermal power plants: dry steam, flash steam, and
binary cycle.
3 Types of Geothermal Power Plant
Dry Steam
Dry steam power plants draw from underground resources of steam. The steam is
piped directly from underground wells to the power plant where it is directed into a
turbine/generator unit.
Flash Steam
Flash steam power plants are the most common and use geothermal reservoirs of
water with temperatures greater than 360°F (182°C). This very hot water flows up through
wells in the ground under its own pressure. As it flows upward, the pressure decreases
and some of the hot water boils into steam. The steam is then separated from the water
and used to power a turbine/generator. Any leftover water and condensed steam are
injected back into the reservoir, making this a sustainable resource.
Binary Steam
Binary cycle power plants operate on water at lower temperatures of about 225-360°F
(107-182°C). Binary cycle plants use the heat from the hot water to boil a working fluid,
usually an organic compound with a low boiling point. The working fluid is vaporized in a
heat exchanger and used to turn a turbine. The water is then injected back into the ground
to be reheated. The water and the working fluid are kept separated during the whole
process, so there are little or no air emissions.
Dry Steam Power Plant
These are the most common type of geothermal power plants, accounting for
about half of the installed geothermal plants in the world. It works by piping hot steam
from underground reservoirs directly into turbines from geothermal reservoirs which
power generators to provide electricity. Afterwards, the steam condenses back into
water and is piped back to the reservoir through an injection well.
Flash Steam Power Plant
For flash steam plants, instead of pumping hot steam, this pumps hot water directly
into a “flash tank” on the surface.
The flash tank is at a much lower temperature compared to the high-pressured fluid,
causing it to convert into steam. This, in turn, powers the turbines and, when cooled and
condensed back to water, is pumped back to the ground through the injection well.
Binary Cycle Power Plant
Unlike the other two that directly operates, this has a heat exchanger that serves as a
channel between the geothermal reservoirs and geothermal turbines. This heats a second
liquid into steam which powers the turbines that drives a generator. The hot water is
recycled and injected back to the earth and the second liquid is recycled through the
turbine and back into the heat exchanger where it can be used again.
