QUANTIFYING GEOTHERMAL FLUID FLOW USING ORIFICE PLATE FLOWMETERS

Ismail BOGREKCI, Pınar DEMIRCIOGLU, Baybars DAL

Abstract


Geothermal power plants often utilize binary or double flush systems, incorporating separators to manage the three-phase composition of geothermal fluid – steam, water, and gases. While magmeters are commonly employed for single-phase brine flow measurements due to their obstructionless nature and minimal pressure drop, issues such as lining deformation and electrode coating can lead to maintenance challenges and increased operating costs. This study explores an alternative approach by employing the differential pressure flow measurement method with an orifice plate, aiming to reduce operational, maintenance, and investment costs. To assess the effectiveness of this method, an orifice plate is designed for flow calculation, considering energy loss along the pipeline for cost analysis. Additionally, a silencer-weir box is implemented to validate observed flow results. At conditions of 65 °C, 8 bar inlet pressure, and a 120 m3/h flow rate, the pressure difference calculated with the orifice plate flowmeter is 0.073 bar. Comparative analysis indicates an annual cost of $220, showing the potential cost savings of using the orifice plate flow measurement method over other devices.

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References


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