Single-Flash Steam Power Plants

The single-flash steam plant is the mainstay of the geothermal power industry. It is often the first power plant installed at a newly developed liquid-dominated geothermal field. When the geothermal wells produce a mixture of steam and liquid, the single-flash plant is a relatively simple way to convert the geothermal energy into electricity. The terminology single-flash system indicates that the geofluid has undergone a single flashing process. The analysis presented in this chapter is based on fundamental thermodynamic principles, namely the principle of energy conservation (i.e., the First Law of thermodynamics) and the principle of mass conservation. The study examines the problem of selecting the separator conditions that will yield the best overall plant performance in terms of the power generation. Two hypothetical cases are discussed. There are several potential environmental impacts from geothermal plant. It shows a listing that may be applied to all kinds of geothermal power plants. Finally, the chapter outlines the major equipment for a single-flash power plant.