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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Our earth was a burning planet billions of years ago, still earth core temperature is
above 5000C.
Geo means earth and Thermal means heat , Geothermal means earths heat
Geothermal energy is the energy contained as heat in the earths interior.
Geothermal energy is energy extracted from the heat stored in the earth.
Geothermal energy is derived from within the earth's tectonic activity that occurred
since the planet was created. It also comes from solar thermal absorbed by the earth's
surface.
2.0 GEOLOGICAL BACLKGROUND
Earths radius is approximately 6370 km and it can be divided into three zones
Crust (7 km under ocean, 20-65 km under the continent)
Mantle (2900 km , lies under the crust)
Core (center, 4000oC and 3.6 million bars)
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3.0 CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal energy is an enormous, underused heat and power resource that is
clean ,reliable and homegrown.
Geothermal resources range from shallow ground to hot water and rock several
miles below the Earth's surface, and even farther down to the extremely hot
molten rock called magma.
Mile-or-more-deep wells can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam
and very hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of
applications.
The general characteristics of geothermal energy that make it of significant importance for
both electricity production and direct use include:
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Wells may be located as far as 10 km to 14 km from power plant
Steam can be moist or dry, Moist steam passes through separator
Water or brine is reinjected through injection well
4.2 SEPARATOR
Steam contains non condensable gases including Hydrogen sulphide
Separator are used for the purpose to remove these gases
2 phase and 3 phase separators are used according to requirement
Separators are vertically horizontally designed
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Specially designed steam turbine are used for geothermal power plants
Steam can be corrosive due to many non condensable gases e.g. Hydrogen
sulphide
To protect rotor blades and nozzles from corrosion special coatings and materials
are used
The generation and transmission side of geothermal power plants is similar to
conventional power plants
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4.4 CONDENSOR
Steam condensed at a vacuum at the turbine exit
Most plants use direct contact condensers that uses water itself as the cooling
media.
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6.3 DRY STEAM POWER PLANT
A power plant where steam is released from the pressure of a deep reservoir,
through a rock catcher, and then past the power generator turbines.
Dry steam extracted from natural reservoir
o 180-225 C ( 356-437 F)
o 4-8 MPa (580-1160 psi)
Steam is used to drive a turbo-generator
Steam is condensed and pumped back into the ground
Can achieve 1 kWh per 6.5 kg of steam
o A 55 MW plant requires 100 kg/s of steam
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6.4FLASH OR STEAM PLANTS
A power plant where water is pumped under great pressure to the surface.
When it surfaces, the pressure is reduced and as a result some of the water
changes to steam.
This creates a blast of steam. The water is then returned to the earth to be heated
up by geothermal rocks again.
Steam with water extracted from ground
Pressure of mixture drops at surface and more water flashes to steam
Steam separated from water
Steam drives a turbine
Turbine drives an electric generator
Generate between 5 and 100 MW
Use 6 to 9 tones of steam per hour
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7.0 ADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
No chance of contamination from solid discharge.
Geothermal fluids contains less harmful greenhouse gases.
No Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide. Less acid rain.
Binary Plants have no Carbon Dioxide, however others have 0.2lb/kW-h.
Available all the year around and it is direct use
Low running cost, it saves 80% costs over fossil fuels.
It is free from global warming as does not involve any combustion of fuel.
Unlike solar energy it is independent of weather condition.
Clean Resource Very little emissions or overall environmental impact.
Maintenance cost of geothermal plants very less
Overall, geothermal energy is a sustainable resource.
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10.0 CONCLUSION
Geothermal heating system can replace fossil fuel heating system in a particular
area.
Annual costs for common heating purposes can be reduced by more than 60%.
Continued energy shortages have created added interest in geothermal energy for
power generation.
Potential exists to provide all energy requirements in the U.S
Geothermal energy appears to be a partial solution to our energy needs.
11.0 REFERENCES
Alexander, E.M., 2004. Geothermal Energy Exploration in South Australia.
MESA Journal
GEA, Geothermal Energy: International Market Update, Geothermal Energy
Association
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www.renewableresources.com
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