154 Geothermal Power Plants: Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact

Fig. 8.1 Simplified schematic of a basic binary geothermal power plant [4].

Fig. 8.2 Pressure-enthalpy diagram for a basic binary plant.

downstream of it. Thus the chemical problems described in Chaps. 4 and 6 can be
eliminated in principle.
The thermodynamic processes undergone by the working fluid are shown in
Fig. 8.2, a pressure-enthalpy, P-h diagram. This type of diagram is most often used
for refrigeration and air conditioning cycles, but lends itself very well to geothermal
binary cycles.

8.2.1 Turbine analysis

The thermodynamic analysis of the cycle is fairly straightforward. Beginning with

the binary turbine, we find that the analysis is the same as for steam turbines. It will
be useful to select the components from the system flow diagram for easy reference as
we present the analysis; see Fig. 8.3.