Binary cycle Geothermal Power Plant

Binary cycle is the type of geothermal power plant which works with the water having the temperature below 400 F and uses the concept of heat exchanger to transfer the heat of hot water to relatively low boiling liquid, which then converted into vapor face. This high pressure vapors then used by the turbine to produce the electricity

Parts of Binary cycle Geothermal Power Plant

Geothermal vent

It is a deep drilled hole which starts from the surface of the earth and end at the geothermal source. High pressure superheated water moves from the source towards the surface through the pipes.

Heat exchanger

This part of the Binary cycle Geothermal Power Plant differentiates it from the other types of the geothermal power plants. Heat exchanger is the device which exchanges the heat between two liquids flowing in different pipes at different temperature.

Turbine

Turbine is the part which converts the pressure energy of the fluid into the kinetic energy. Rotating turbine is used to rotate the generator to produce the electricity.

Generator

Generator is the electrical device use to convert the rotation motion of the turbine onto the electrical energy

Condenser

High pressure liquid after passing through the turbine moves into the condenser where its pressure is released and it is converted into normal liquid form

Working of Binary cycle Geothermal Power Plant

Water at temperature below 400 F is taken from the geothermal source and passes through the heat exchanger where its heat is transfer to a relatively low boiling liquid. Low boiling liquid when absorb heat get vaporized and establish more pressure than water at the same temperature. After heat exchanger water moves back into the ground whereas low boiling liquid moves toward the turbine in the vapor face at high pressure. Turbine blades convert the pressure energy of the liquid into the rotation motion of the turbine and rotation motion of the turbine is converted into electrical energy by the electric generator. Liquid then moves into the condenser where its pressure is released and it can be used again.

Advantages of Binary cycle Geothermal Power Plant

• Low initial cast than other types because it has lesser parts than other types
• Zero eliminations because it’s a closed cycle process
• Most geothermal resources are moderate temperature so this process is most widely used.
• Safer than all other types