| Title | Successful Implementation of Ormat Energy Convertor as Brine Enhancement Units in Flashed Geothermal Fields |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lara OWENS, Noa HABERMAN, Jeff NICHOLSON, Sean SULLIVAN |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | implementation, Energy Convertor, Brine Enhancement Units, Flashed Geothermal Fields |
| Abstract | Ormat Energy Converters as Brine Enhancement units provide a comprehensive solution to added power generation from flashed high enthalpy resource fluids. With the proper management of injection temperatures and chemical treatment, an additional 35% power or greater may be generated from countless flash systems worldwide. Heat recovery and reinjection of brines below silica or silicate saturation temperatures continues to be a perceptual hurdle for many companies to overcome. Ormat has managed this hurdle with unique thermodynamic design criteria to fit each resource and their scaling potential; as well as a suite of chemical treatment options and procedures, following years of testing and experience to develop the lowest cost and easiest solution for implementation. High enthalpy flashed brines prone to amorphous silica scaling and aluminous silica scaling will reliably benefit from OEC designs implementing dilution and pH reduction from condensate recombined at the preheater stage. Furthermore, pH modification is recommended where the operational staff, materials and attention can be dedicated to this high precision, yet highly effective solution. Fields without the staff and resources to attend to pH modification may benefit from silica dispersant or inhibitor methods, yet this remains untested in fields with less forgiving injection capacities within the Ormat fleet. Deposition of amorphous metal silicates is a common fouling side effect within OECs from lower enthalpy brines, typically with equilibrium concentrations of Al, Mg and Fe to support colloidal silicate formation. We have observed successful inhibition of amorphous metal silicate fouling within surface equipment with the use of cationic polymers for silicate inhibitors and copolymeric dispersants. This paper discusses the implementation of Ormat Energy Converters for flashed brine in a broad host of geothermal resources and the successful design and management strategies to support their operation. |