If the water that reaches the surface is not hot enough to produce steam, it can still be used to produce electricity by feeding it into a Binary Power Plant. The hot water is fed into a heat exchanger. The heat from the water is absorbed by a liquid such as isopentane which boils at a lower temperature. The isopentane steam is used to drive turbines, producing electricity.
What is a binary power plant?
Binary Power Plants. Binary plants, like dry-steam and flash-steam plants, make use of naturally sourced hot steam generated by activity from within the Earth’s core. All geothermal plants convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, then finally to electrical energy.
Why is isopentane suitable for geothermal power plants?
This is one reason isopentane is suitable as a working fluid in binary geothermal power plants. Isopentane has other advantageous thermophysical properties such as a relatively low boiling temperature that matches well with the brine in the heat exchange system and a relatively high heat capacity.
What are the uses of isopentane?
Another use of isopentane is in a type of geothermal plant known as a binary cycle power plant. Geothermal plants tap into heat energy deep in the earth and convert it to electricity. This kind of geothermal plant can use cooler reservoirs than other types. ORC is the Rankine process, where instead of the water some organic compound is used as a flowing medium (toluene, isobutene, isopentane or silicon fluids). ORC is one way to generate electricity and heat in lower temperatures. Heat from evaporation of organic fluid is less than that of water.
Why are binary power plants important?
Binary power plants are used to produce power from low to medium temperature heat sources. Since the predominant part of the worldwide geothermal potential is based on a temperature level between 100° and 200°C, binary power plants will play a more and more important role for geothermal power generation in the future.
What is isopentane and propane?
Butane, Isobutane, Propane and Isopentane are volatile substances derived from petroleum and natural gas. These ingredients are used in cosmetics and personal care products as a replacements for chlorofluorocarbons, or CFC propellants, some of which have been shown to have negative effects on the environment.
Is isopentane a liquid?
Isopentane is a liquid. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are used in the formulation of shaving cream, cleansing products, hair conditioners, and makeup.
What are the uses of pentane?
As well as being used as fuel, pentane has numerous industrial uses. Primarily, pentane is used to create a blowing agent which is then used to create a foam known as polystyrene. Polystyrene is used to make insulation materials for refrigerators and heating pipes. As well, pentane is used in geothermal power stations as a “binary” fluid.