Page 380 - Handbook of Energy Engineering Calculations

based power systems with efficiencies topping 40 percent should be
commercially available by year 2000. By 2025, efficiencies may reach 57
percent if advanced biomass-gasification–fuel-cell combinations become
viable. Proponents are optimistic because this technology is currently being
developed for coal gasification and can be readily transformed to biomass.

Data in this procedure are the work of M. D. Forsha and K. E. Nichols,
Barber-Nichols Inc., for the geothermal portion, and Steven Collins, assistant
editor, Power, for the biomass portion. Data on both these topics was

published in Power magazine.

FLASHED-STEAM GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT
ANALYSIS

A flashed-steam power plant such as that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 uses a hot-
water reservoir that contains water at 460°F (238°C) and 160 psia (1,102
kPa). The separator pressure is 100 psia (689 kPa). Find (1) the mass flow

rate of water from the well, and of the reinjected brine per unit of mass flow
rate of steam into the turbine, and (2) the ratio of enthalpies of spent brine to
steam.