Abstract
The surface equipment design for a binary cycle geothermal power plant including facilities required for the power cycle and the complete reinjection process of two-phase geothermal fluid (H2O + non-condensable gases (NCGs)) in the Castelnuovo area of Larderello are modelled. The proposed scheme includes the configuration of closed-loop power plant, NCGs compression train and reinjection process at the wellhead. Steady-state and dynamic simulations are performed. The steady-state model is developed to find the correct operating solutions and conditions, while the dynamic model investigates the unsteady behaviour of the system. The study includes a sensitivity analysis of surface equipment design, demonstrating the effect of internal and external variables on the system performance, including power cycle, compression train and reinjection process. The maximum compressor power consumption (at 60 bar reinjection pressure) is 176 kW at 8% CO2 mass fraction into the geothermal fluid. The unsteady system behaviour at startup and its response to step-changes of flow stream condition is assessed: it is found that the average response-time is about 20 min. Also, the system requires a drain pressure higher than the saturation level for effective reinjection. A new Antoine – based correlation for water-CO2 mixture is proposed for geothermal applications.
Highlights
Geothermal energy is a sustainable and renewable energy alternative to the utilization of fossil fuels
The first parameter considered in the sensitivity analysis of the Castelnuovo power plant is the CO2 content in the geothermal resource
Due to a better match between the main heat exchanger curves, the exergy efficiency increases with increasing CO2 content into the geothermal fluid stream: it suggests better exploitation of the resource
Summary
Geothermal energy is a sustainable and renewable energy alternative to the utilization of fossil fuels. The most crucial factor for a sustainable geothermal power plant is to guarantee the correct management of the reservoir, of the reservoir water balance. This topic has been very delicate for decades, but thanks to the extensive utilization of condensate reinjection, it has been significantly tackled. Another relevant issue which is becoming the critical factor for a geothermal power plant in the last years is the release to the environment of non-
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