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

 
h11
h9 2 A x9 2
h12 2 h11
h10 5 ð6:18Þ
A
11
h12 2 h11

A 5 0:425ðh9 2 h10s Þ ð6:19Þ

 
s9 2 s11
h10s 5 h11 1 ½h12 2 h11  3 ð6:20Þ
s12 2 s11

h9 2 h10
ηlpt 5 ð6:21Þ
h9 2 h10s

The total power generated is the sum of the power from each turbine:

_ total 5 W
W _ hpt 1 W
_ lpt ð6:22Þ

Finally, the gross electrical power is found from

W _ total
_ e;gross 5 ηg W ð6:23Þ

6.4.4 Condensing and cooling tower processes; utilization efficiency

The analysis presented in Sects. 5.4.5, 5.4.6 and 5.4.7 may be used here, provided the
mass flow rate is changed to the sum of the HP- and LP-steam flows. The exergy of
the incoming geofluid is found in the same way as before.

6.4.5 Optimization methodology

The optimization process for a double-flash plant is more complicated than for a single-
flash plant because of the extra degree of freedom in the choice of operating parameters.
For each choice of separator pressure (or temperature), there will be a range of possible
flasher pressures (or temperatures), one of which will yield the highest power output.
Over the spectrum of separator pressures, there will be corresponding flash pressures
that yield the best output. Among this array of results there will be a single overall best
optimum point. We can display this concept in a simple diagram, Fig. 6.10.
In the upper portion, P2 is the separator pressure and T6/T2 is the ratio of the flash
temperature to the separator temperature. For each point, a, on the upper curve, there
_
will be some best power output W(point b) that sits atop a curve (shown by the thin
line) that comes from varying the flash pressure P6. The lower heavy curve represents
the locus of all such “best” points that come from allowing P2 to vary over its practical
range of values. Point d is the best of the best and defines the optimum plant choices
for both separator and flash conditions. Point c shows the optimum ratio of tempera-
tures for the separator and flasher.