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Dry-Steam Power Plants 147

7.6 Environmental aspects of dry-steam plants

Dry-steam geothermal plants have very low potential impact on the environment.
The geofluid consists of only steam
no liquid
so there is no mineral-laden brine to
dispose of. The noncondensable gases in the steam are isolated in the condenser and
removed by means of vacuum pumps or steam-jet ejectors, and they can be treated
to remove hydrogen sulfide, if it is present in objectionable levels. The sulfur from
certain types of abatement systems is in pure form and may be sold commercially or
disposed of in an appropriate landfill [20]. The excess condensate from the cooling
tower is reinjected as is any liquid trapped from the steam transmission pipelines.

7.7 Equipment list for dry-steam plants

The major equipment items found at dry-steam plants are quite similar to those used
at a single-flash plant. The list below is drawn for dry-steam plants with annotations
applied only for items that differ from those at single-flash plants [18].

7.7.1 Steam supply system

G Wellhead valves and controls
G Steam purifier
Wellhead, axial particulate remover
G Steam piping, insulation and supports
G Steam header
G Final moisture remover

7.7.2 Turbine-generator and controls

G Steam turbine-generator with accessories
G Control system
G Air compressor

7.7.3 Condenser, gas ejection and pollution control (where needed)

G Condenser
G Condensate pumps and motors
G Gas removal system
Steam jet ejectors with inter- and after-coolers
Turbocompressors
Hybrid ejector/compressor
G NCG treatment system

7.7.4 Heat rejection system

G Water cooling tower
G Cooling water pumps and motors
G Cooling water treatment system