Geothermal Power Plants, 3rd Edition

Chapter 5

Single-Flash Steam Power Plants

“In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.”

Yogi Berra

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Gathering system design considerations

5.2.1 Piping layouts

5.2.2 Pressure losses

5.3 Energy conversion system

5.4 Thermodynamics of the conversion process

5.4.1 Temperature-entropy process diagram

5.4.2 Flashing process

5.4.3 Separation process

5.4.4 Turbine expansion process

5.4.5 Condensing process

5.4.6 Cooling tower process

5.4.7 Utilization efficiency

5.5 Example: Single-flash optimization

5.5.1 Choked well flow

5.5.2 Non-choked well flow

5.6 Optimum separator temperature: An approximate formulation

5.7 Environmental aspects for single-flash plants

5.7.1 General considerations