GEOTHERMAL POWER 3.

A liquid dominated
geothermal plant with a single
1. An 18,000kw geothermal
flash separator receives water at
plant has a generator efficiency
204°C. The separator pressure is
and turbine efficiency of 90% and
1.04 Mpa. A direct contact
80%, respectively. If the quality
condenser operates at 0.034Mpa.
after throttling is 16% and each
The turbine has a polytropic
well discharges 220,000kg/hr,
efficiency of 0.85. For a cycle
determine the numbers of wells
output of 40MW, what is the mass
are required to produce if the
flow rate of the well water in kg/s?
change of enthalpy at entrance
and exit of turbine is 500Kj/kg.
At 204°C hf=870.51KJ/kg
Ans. 5.11 wells
At 1.04 Mpa hf=770.38
hfg=2009.2
Wr = msΔh
hg=2779.6
sg=6.5729
18000 .
At 0.034 Mpa hf=301.40
0.9(0.8) = mg [0.16][500]
hfg=2328.8
sf=0.9793
mg = 312.5 kg/s
sfg=6.7463
#= (312.5)(3600) WT = ms [h3-h4]
220000
# = 5.11 wells
40,000
0.85 = ms [2779.6-2232]
2. In a 10MW geothermal power
plant, the mass flow of steam ms = 85.98 kg/s
entering the turbine is 20kg/s. The
h1= hf + hfg
quality after throttling is 25% and
enthalpy of ground water is 870.51 = 770.38 + x [2009.2]
750KJ/kg. Determine the overall
x= 0.049
efficiency of the plant.
ms = xmg
e= WT .
85.98= 0.049mg
mgh1
= 10000 . mg = 1725.31 kg/s
20 .
0.25 [750]
e= 0.1667 x 100 = 16.67%
4. Ground water in geothermal turbine efficiency of 90% and 80%
plant has a ground water flow of respectively. If the quality after
46kg/s. if the quality of hot water throttling is 20% and each well
entering the flash tank is 12%, find discharges 400,00kg/he, determine
the mass of steam entering the the number of wells are required
turbine. to produce if the change of
enthalpy at entrance and exit of
ms = xmg turbine is 500KJ/kg.
= 0.12 [46]
WT = mΔh
ms = 5.52 kg/s
18000 .
5. In a 13MW geothermal power 0.9(0.8) = mg [0.2][500]
plant, the mass flow of steam
entering the turbine is 27kg/s. The mg = 250 kg/s
quality after throttling is 23% and
enthalpy of ground water is #= (250)(3600)
730KJ/kg. Determine the overall 400000
efficiency of the plant.
# = 2.25 wells ≈ 3 wells
e= WT .
mgh1
= 13000 . 7. Mass flow rate of ground
27 . water in a geothermal power plant
0.23 [730] is 1,800,000kg/hr and the quality
after throttling is 35%. Determine
e = 0.1517 x 100 = 15.17% the brake power of turbine if the
change of enthalpy of steam at
inlet and outlet is 700KJ/kg.
WT = msΔh

1,800,000 .
3600 [0.35][700]

WT = 122.5 MW

8. The enthalpy entering the

turbine of a geothermal power
6. An 18,000 KW geothermal plant is 2850KJ/kg and mass rate
plant has generator efficiency and
of 1kg/sec. The turbine brake as saturated liquid at 700Kpa. The
power is 1000KW, condenser well head pressure is 600kpa. The
outlet has enthalpy of 210KJ/kg. If flashed steam enters the turbine at
temperature rise of cooling water 500kpa and expands at 15kpa
in condenser is 8°C, what us the when it is condensed. The flow
mass of cooling water rate from the well is 29.7kg/sec.
requirement? Determine the power produced in
kw.
WT= ms[h3-h4]
h1 = hf + xhfg
1000= 1[2850-h4]
697.22 = 640.23 + x[2108.5]
h4= 1850
x= 0.027
ms[h4-h5] = mwcpΔT
1[1850-210] = mw [4.187] [8]
WT = ms[h3-h4]
mw = 48.96 kg/s
= 29.7[0.027] [2748.7 - 2210]
WT = 431.93 KW
9. A geothermal power plant
draws pressurized water from a
11. A certain geothermal power
well at 20Mpa and 300°C. To
plant shows that 1,700,000kg/hr of
produce a steam water mixture in
pressurized ground water is
the separator, where the unflashed
available at 17.5Mpa and 330°C.
water is removed. This water is
The water will be throttled to a
throttled to a pressure of 1.5Mpa.
pressure of 1.7 Mpa to produce
The flashed steam which is dry
wet steam and this mixture will be
and saturated passes through the
passed through a water separator
steam collector and enters the
to remove the water droplets so
turbine at 1.5Mpa and expands to
that saturated steam at 1.7Mpa is
1 atm. The turbine efficiency is
available at the entrance of the
88% at a rated power output of
turbine. Other data are as follows:
10MW. Calculate the overall plant
discharge pressure of the
efficiency.
turbine=85kpa vac; turbine
efficiency=73%; mechanical
WT= ms[h3-h4]
loss=2% of shaft power; generator
efficiency= 95%. Determine the
10000
= ms [2792.2 – 2336] mass flow rate of steam entering
0.88
the turbine.
ms = 24.92 kg/s
h1 = hf + xhfg
h1 = hf + xhfg
1511.1 = 872.06 + x [1923.6]
x= 0.25
x = 0.33
e= WT .
ms = xmg
mgh1
= 0.33 [1700000]
e = 0.0754 x 100 = 7.54%
ms = 516000kg/hr

10. A flashed steam geothermal

12. A geothermal energy system
power plant is located where
consist of a water well, flasher and
underground hot water is available
a 15MW turbine power. The
pressurized ground water at collector, and a 10MW rankine
17.5Mpa, 300°C leaves the well to engine. The pressurized ground
enter the flasher maintained at water at 17.24Mpaa, 282°C leaves
1.3Mpa. The flashed vapor passes the well to enter the flash chamber
through the separator and maintained at 1.38Mpaa
collector to enter the turbine as (hf=829KJ/kg, hfg=1961KJ/kg). The
saturated vapor at 1.3Mpa. The flashed vapor passes through the
turbine exhaust at 1bar. Find the separator and collector to enter
hourly amount of ground water the turbine as saturated vapor at
required in kg. 1.38Mpaa; turbine exhaust at
0.1Mpaa. The unflashed water runs
to waste. Determine the hourly
h1= hf + x hfg
quantity of ground water required
1335.2 = 814.93 + x [1986.2]
for continuous operation.
x = 0.26

WT = ms [h3-h4] h1= hf + x hfg

15000 = ms [2787.6 – 2353.32] 1241.78 = 829 + x [1961]
ms = 34.54 kg/s x = 0.21

ms= xmg WT = ms [h3-h4]

34.54 = 0.26mg 10000 = 0.21mg [2790 – 2345]
mg = 130.96 [3600] mg = 106.87 kg/s
mg = 471472.27 kg/hr
10000[0.794] 10000 .
=
106.7[1242] mg[1242]

mg = 134.6 [3600]
mg = 484566.5 kg/hr

13. An experimental geothermal 14. In a certain geothermal area,

energy system consists of a hot studies show that 1,800,000 kg/hr
water well, a flasher-separator- of pressurized ground water is
available at 2500psi and 620°F. The maintained at 14bar. The steam
water will be throttled at 250psia to collected enters the turbine at 14
produce wet steam and this bar and exhaust at 1 atm. If one
mixture will pass through a water well discharges 150,000 kg/hr of
separator to remove the water hot water, how many wells are
droplets so that saturated steam at required if it has an output of
250psi is available at the entrance 15MW?
of the steam turbine for the plant.
Plant data are as follows: h1 = hf + xhfg
discharge pressure of turbine is 1231.3= 830.3 + x [1959.7]
23 in Hg vacuum; turbine x= 0.204
efficiency is 75%; mechanical loss
is 1.5% of the shaft power; WT = ms [h3-h4]
generator efficiency is 97%. 15000
Determine the maximum amount 0.79 = ms [2790 – 2345]
of power in MW, the plant can ms = 42.71 kg/s
generate. Assume Patm is 30 in
Hg. mg = 42.71
0.204
h1 = hf + xhfg = 208.75
640.7= 376.2 + x[825.8]
x= 0.32 # = 208.75[3600]
150000
WT = ms[h3-h4] # = 5 wells
= 1800000
3600 [2.205][0.32][1202.1- 913.97] 16. Ten tones per hour of boiling
water at 200°C and 15.42atma is to
= 6104839.716
be double-flashed into a turbine,
WT=6104839.716[0.97][0.75][1-0.75] the condenser of which is
maintained at a temperature of
= 4374651.83 Btu ( 0.746 ).
52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine
Min (42.42 HP)
the optimum flashing temperature
at the first stage.
= 76932.82 KW
WT = 76.93MW
t = tb - 1/3 [tb – tc]
= 200 – 1/3 [200-52]
t = 150.67°C

17. Ten tones per hour of boiling

15. A geothermal plant has a
water at 200°C and 15.42atma is to
combined efficiency of 79%.
be double-flashed into a turbine,
Ground water at 175bar and 280°C
the condenser of which is
leaves the well entering the flasher
maintained at a temperature of
52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine The turbine has a polytropic
the optimum flashing temperature efficiency of 0.75. For a cycle
at the second stage. output of 50MW, what is the mass
flow rate of the well water in kg/s?
t = tb - 2/3 [tb – tc]
= 200 – 2/3 [200-52]
h1 = hf+xhfg
t = 101.33°C
870.51= 770.38+x[2009.2]
x= 0.049
18. In a certain geothermal area,
studies show that 1,500,000 kg/hr
WT = ms[h3-h4]
of pressurized ground water is
50000/0.75 = ms[2779.6-2232]
available at 2500psi and 620°F. The
ms= 121.8
water will be throttled at 250psia to
produce wet steam and this
mixture will pass through a water ms= xmg
separator to remove the liquid 121.8= 0.049mg
droplets so that saturated steam at mg= 2444.19 kg/s
250psi is available at the entrance
of the steam turbine for the 20. A 20MW geothermal plant
proposed power plant. Other plant has a generator efficiency and
data are as follows: discharge turbine efficiency of 97% and 82%,
pressure of turbine is 25 in Hg respectively. If the quality after
vacuum; turbine efficiency is 78%; throttling is 18% and each well
mechanical loss is 1.6% of the discharge 200,000kg/hr, determine
shaft power; generator efficiency the numbers of wells are required
is 97%. Determine the maximum to produce if the change of
amount of power in MW that the enthalpy at entrance and exit of
plant can generate. Assume Patm turbine is 500KJ/kg.
is 30 in Hg.
WT = ms Δh
WT = ms [h3 –h4]
20000 .
= (1500000/60) [2.205] [0.32] 0.97(0.82) = mg [0.18][500]
[1202.1 – 897] mg = 279.38kg/s
= 5394842.37 BTU/min
# = 279.38[3600]
h1 = hf + xhfg
200,000
640.7 = 376.2 +x [825.8]
# = 5.03 wells
x= 0.32

WT = 5394842.37 [0.97] [0.78]

[1-0.016]
= 4016429.93 (0.746/42.42)(1/1000)
WT = 70.63 MW
21. In an 18MW geothermal
19. A liquid dominated
power plant, the mass flow of
geothermal plant with a single
steam entering the turbine is
flash separator receives water at
50kg/s. The quality after throttling
204°C. The separator pressure is
is 35%. Determine the ground
1.04Mpa. A direct contact
water enthalpy if the overall
condenser operates at 0.034Mpa.
efficiency of the plant is 65%.
 steam entering the turbine in kg/s,
e= WT . if the overall efficiency is 56%.
mgh1 e = WT .
0.65 = 18000 . mgh1
50 0.56 = WT .
0.35 h1 147600
h1= 193.85 KJ/kg 3600 174.35
WT= 4003.076
22. In a 59,250kW geothermal
power plant, the mass flow of WT = ms Δh
steam entering the turbine is 4003.076= ms[501.55]
50kg/s. The quality after throttling ms= 7.98kg/s
is 28%. Determine the ground
water temperature if overall 24. A 50,000kw geothermal plant
efficiency of the plant is 89%. has a generator efficiency and
turbine efficiency of 94% and 88%,
e= WT . respectively. If the quality after
mgh1 throttling is 18% and the change in
0.89 = 59250 . enthalpy at the turbine is
50 800KJ/kg. Determine the
0.28 h1 discharge in each well in kg/hr, if
h1= 372.81 KJ/kg there are 8 wells being utilized.
WT = ms Δh
h 1 = CpT
372.81 = 4.187 T 50000 . = mg[0.18][800]
T= 89.04°C 0.94(0.85)
mg= 419 kg/s
#= 419.75 [3600]
8
mg= 188890.23kg/hr
25. A geothermal plant has an
overall efficiency of 45% with a
throttling quality of 38%.
Determine the turbine work having
a flow rate of 25ips if the ground
water temperature is at 78°C.
e = WT .
mgh1
0.45 = WT .
25 .
0.38 [4.187(78)]
23. Ground water in a
WT= 9668.66KW
geothermal plant has a flow rate of
26. A geothermal power plant
147600kg/hr and enthalpy of
rate of flow is 320kg/min, the
174.35kcal/kg. If the change in
flasher quality after throttling is
enthalpy the turbine is
16% of the flow. Determine the
501.55kcal/kg, find the mass of
brake power of turbine if the inlet
pressure is at 500Kpa and exit of inefficiency of the turbine is 12%
15Kpa. more than the generator,
determine its output.
WT = ms[h3-h4]
= 320 [2748.7 -2210]
0.12 + 0.04= 0.16
60
Output = 8 .
WT = 2869.68 KW
0.96[1-0.16]
Output = 9.92MW
27. The enthalpy entering the
30. The power grid receives
turbine of a geothermal power
150MW of power coming from
plant is 2800KJ/kg and mass rate
different sources, one of it is from
of 2kg/sec. The turbine brake
Mahanagdong geothermal power
power is 3MW, condenser outlet
plant which produces 8MW less
has enthalpy of 240KJ/kg.
than 4% efficient. If the
Determine the temperature rise if
inefficiency of the turbine is 12%
the mass flow rate of water is
more than the generator;
30kg/sec.
determine the change of energy
WT = ms[h3-h4] per kilogram of the turbine of the
3000= 2[2800-h4] turbine if the quality after
h4 = 1300 throttling is the same as that
inefficiency extracting 20kg/s from
ms[h4-h5]= mcp ΔT the well.
2[1300-240] =30[4.187] ΔT
ΔT= 16.88°C WT = ms Δh
9920=20(0.16) (Δh)
Δh = 3100KJ/Kg
28. The throttling quality of
geothermal plat is 18% extracting
50kg/s generating a turbine output
of 2MW. The enthalpy entering the
turbine is 2420KJ/kg. If the cooling
medium has flow rate of 3kg/s with
temperatures entering and leaving
of 27°C and 39°C, respectively.
Determine its outlet enthalpy.
WT = ms[h3-h4]
2000= 50[0.18][2420-h4]
h4= 2197.78
ms[h4-h5]= mcp ΔT
2[0.18][2197.78- h5] =35[4.187][12]
h5 = 2002.38 KJ/kg
31. The power grid receives
29. The power grid receives 150MW of power coming from
150MW of power coming from different sources; one of it is from
different sources; one of it is from Mahanagdong geothermal power
Mahanagdong geothermal power plant which produces 8MW less
plant which produces 8MW less than 4% efficient. The inefficiency
than 4% efficient. If the of the turbine is 12% more than
the generator and the entering enters the turbine at 1.5Mpa and
enthalpy of turbine is 2500KJ/kg. expands to 1 atm. The turbine
The quality after throttling is the efficiency is 85% at a rated power
same as that inefficiency output of 15MW. Calculate the
extracting 20kg/s from the well. If overall plant efficiency?
the heat received by the
condenser is 1800KW, determine h1= hf+xhfg
the condenser outlet enthalpy. 1333.3 = 844.89+ x(1947.3)
x= 0.25
WT = ms[h3-h4]
15000 .
= ms[2792.2-2336]
(0.85)
32. A geothermal power plant ms= 38.71
shows that 1,700,000kg/hr of
e= WT .
pressurized ground water is
mgh1
available at 17.5Mpa and 330°C.
= 15000 .
The water will be throttled to a
38.71
pressure of 1.7Mpa to produce wet
0.25 (1333.3)
steam and this mixture will be
passed through a water separator e= 0.0729 x 100 = 7.29%
to remove the water droplets so
that saturated steam at 1.7Mpa is
34. The throttling quality of
available at the entrance of the
geothermal plant is 18% extracting
turbine. Other data are as follows:
50kg/s generating a turbine output
discharge enthalpy of turbine=
of 2.5MW. The enthalpy entering
2210KJ/kg; generator efficiency=
the turbine is 2420KJ/kg. The
95%. Determine the turbine output.
turbine efficiency is 83%. If the
cooling medium has flow rate of
h1= hf+xhfg
35kg/s with temperatures entering
1333.3 = 872.06+ x(1923.6)
and leaving of 27°C and 39°C
x= 0.33
respectively, determine its outlet
WT = ms[h3-h4] enthalpy.

= [0.33] 1700000 WT = ms Δh
[2795.7 -2210]
3600
2500 .
WT= 91.8MW = [50][0.18][2420-h4]
(0.83)
h4= 2085.33
50[0.18][2085.33- h5] =35[4.187][12]
h5 = 1889.93 KJ/kg
35. If the mass flow rate of hot
33. A geothermal power plant
water is twice as the mass flow
draws pressurized water from the
rate steam. Determine the turbine
well at 20Mpa and 300°C. This
efficiency of the planet generating
water is throttled to a pressure of
8.5MW if the change of their
1.5Mpa. The flashed steam which
enthalpies is 700KJ/kg. Assume
is dry and saturated passes
through the steam collector and
mass extracted from the well is the quantity of the flash steam in
30kg/s. the second stage.
hf 150.67 = 635.08
mw = 2ms hf 101.33 = 424.67
hfg 101.33 = 2254.5
ms = mw
2
% = hf1 – hf2
e= WT .
hfg2
mgh1
= 8500 . = 635.08– 424.67
30 2254.5
2 (700)
= 0.093[10-1.03]
e= 80.95%
m= 0.836 tons/hr
36. Ten tones per hour of boiling
38. Ten tones per hour of boiling
water at 200°C and 15.34 atma is
water at 200°C and 15.34 atma is
to be double-flashed into a
to be double-flashed into a
turbine, the condenser of which is
turbine, the condenser of which is
maintained at a temperature of
maintained at a temperature of
52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine
52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine
the quantity of the flash steam in
the residual water in the first
the first stage.
stage.
hf 15.34 = 852.51
mw = 10 – 1.04
hf 150.67 = 635.08
mw = 8.96 tons
hfg 150.67 = 2112.17

% = hf1 – hf2
hfg2
= 852.51 – 635.08
2112.17
= 0.103[10tons/hr]
m= 1.03 tons/hr

37. Ten tones per hour of boiling 39. Ten tones per hour of boiling
water at 200°C and 15.34 atma is water at 200°C and 15.34 atma is
to be double-flashed into a to be double-flashed into a
turbine, the condenser of which is turbine, the condenser of which is
maintained at a temperature of maintained at a temperature of
52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine 52°C (102mm Hg abs). Determine
the potential power in kW.
h2 = hf1+hfg1
= 633.6 + 2113.2
= 2746.8
h3 = 2203.7
h4 = 424.53 + 2253.6
= 2678.13
h5 = 2365.4
P = F [h2 – h3] - F2 [h4 – h3]

1000(1.04)(2746.8-2203.7)+
1000(0.831)(2678.13- 2365.8)
P= 824370/3600
P= 228.99 KW ≈ 230KW

40. If the enthalpy at 100°C is

approximately equal to Cpt, what
would be the difference in
temperature using the same
formula if enthalpy at 204° is
determined to be 871.51KJ/kg.

h= CpT
870.51 = 4.187(T)
T= 207.91
ΔT= 207.91-204
ΔT= 3.91