Cooling Tower: Relative Plan Area (RPA) and Relative Power Consumption (RPC) with respect to Relative Cooling Capacity (RCC)

The following graph illustrates the relationship between the Relative Plan Area (RPA) and Relative Power Consumption (RPC) with respect to increasing Relative Cooling Capacity (RCC), and describes how to double the relative cooling capacity with the same values of all other thermal and size conditions.

RCC	RPA	RPC
1	1.00	1.00
1.1	1.15	1.33
1.2	1.31	1.73
1.3	1.48	2.20
1.4	1.66	2.74
1.5	1.84	3.38
1.6	2.02	4.10
1.7	2.22	4.91
1.8	2.41	5.83
1.9	2.62	6.86
2	2.83	8.00

In order to double the capacity (Relative Cooling Capacity) with the same values of all

other thermal and size conditions, the following must be done:

• Increase the surface of the tower by 2 ^ 1.5 times, that is, 2 (double) to the power of 1.5 = 2.83. 

     The tower must be 2.83 times bigger with the same fan, air flow capacity, etc. 

     

      OR:

• Increase the power to 2 ^ 3 times, that is, 2 (double) to the power of 3 = 8. 

         The power of the engine must be 8 times greater with the same surface of the tower

          (verifying the speeds etc.)

References:

Comparative Evaluation of Different Packings 

Péter Gosi, Institute far Electric Power Research (VEIKI), Budapest, Hungary

Judith Halasz, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil,

Pal Kostka

A cooling system is essential for the operation of any modern geothermal power plant

Cooling Tower System: Converting Geothermal Energy into Electricity

Example of flash power plant producing electricity

Heat emanates from the earth's interior and crust generates magma (molten rock). Because magma is less dense than surrounding rock, it rises but generally does not reach the surface, heating the water contained in rock pores and fractures. Wells are drilled into this natural collection of hot water or steam, called a geothermal reservoir, in order to bring it to the surface and use it for electricity production.

The whole process of turning hydro-thermal resources into electricity is based on conversion technologies. That is, there are three basic types of geothermal electrical generation facilities:

• binary (it function as closed loop systems that make use of resource temperatures as low as (74°C),
• steam (it makes use of a direct flow of geothermal steam), and
• flash (uses a mixture of liquid water and steam).

Flash power plant is the most common and it uses a mixture of liquid water and steam.

The type depends on reservoir temperatures and pressures. Each type produces somewhat different environmental impacts.

Example of flash power plant producing electricity

The most common type of power plant to date is a flash power plant (flash steam is the condensation caused by reducing pressure) with a water cooling system, where a mixture of water and steam is produced from the wells. The steam is separated in a surface vessel (steam separator) and delivered to the turbine, and the turbine powers a generator.

A cooling system is essential for the operation of any modern geothermal power plant, because cooling towers prevent turbines from overheating and prolong facility life. Most power plants, including most geothermal plants, use water cooling systems.

Water cooled systems generally require less land than air cooled systems, and are considered overall to be effective and efficient cooling systems. The evaporative cooling used in water cooled systems, however, requires a continuous supply of cooling water and creates vapor plumes. Usually, some of the spent steam from the turbine (for flash- and steam-type plants) can be condensed for this purpose.

Reliability of Geothermal Power Generation

The source of geothermal energy, heat from the earth, is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Solar and wind energy sources, in contrast, are dependent upon a number of factors, including daily and seasonal fluctuations and weather variations. For these reasons, electricity from geothermal energy is more consistently available, once the resource is tapped, than many other forms of electricity.

Examples of Power Plant Size and Applications

Though the size of a power plant is determined primarily by resource characteristics, these are not the only determining factors. Factors that favor the development of larger geothermal plants include things such as cost decreases when larger quantities of materials, including steel, concrete, oil, and fuel, are purchased at one time.

Cooling System

Most power plants, including most geothermal plants, use water-cooled systems – typically in cooling towers.

References/Sources - Idaho National Lab (INL) - Wikipedia - Geothermal Energy Association - U.S. Department of Energy

 

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Software Calculator for cooling tower design and maintenance and TURBOsplash PAC ™ for filling material.

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The function of Cooling Towers with Geothermal Energy

Use of Cooling Towers with Geothermal Energy

1. What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy derives from the heat of the earth’s core. Here we will refer to energy deriving from the core of the earth. Based on new research, the earth’s core temperature is believed to be anywhere between 6000°C and 6500°C. This intense heat is absorbed by the different layers of the earth and, consequently, this heats our planet.

This geothermal energy can be used to generate geothermal power and is the source of our hot springs, volcanoes and geysers.

2. How is geothermal energy harnessed?

Geothermal energy is heat that is extracted from the earth. Pressurized hot water and steam, is produced when groundwater meets with the molten magma ascending from the earth’s core. Hot water flows to the surface through wells. Once pressure is released, the water flashes to steam. Deep wells, a mile or more deep, can tap reservoirs of steam or very hot water that can be used to drive turbines which power electricity generators.

3. How are cooling towers used with geothermal energy?

Let's suppose steam is separated from the water and this steam is used to drive a turbine generator. Conventional cooling towers are used to condense steam on the low-pressure side of the turbine to maximize electrical generation efficiency. Either direct condensers or surface heat exchanger condensers are utilized. In most cases, the condensate is used as makeup for the cooling towers. There is excess condensate available and this means that cooling towers run at low cycles. Low cycle operation results in excessive cooling tower treatment costs unless programs can be employed that are effective at low dosage rates.

4. Neri Calculator for cooling tower design and maintenance and TURBOsplash PAC ™ for filling material.

Geothermal power plants are designed with corrosion resistant materials of construction such as stainless steel in order to withstand the trace contaminants that enter the cooling systems with the steam. 

Cooling towers, if properly sized and filled with high efficiency fills, will yield optimal performance.

**************

References
1. University of Florida
2. International Geothermal Association
3. Wikipedia

A cooling system is essential for the operation of any modern geothermal power plant

Cooling Tower System: Converting Geothermal Energy into Electricity

Example of flash power plant producing electricity

Heat emanates from the earth's interior and crust generates magma (molten rock). Because magma is less dense than surrounding rock, it rises but generally does not reach the surface, heating the water contained in rock pores and fractures. Wells are drilled into this natural collection of hot water or steam, called a geothermal reservoir, in order to bring it to the surface and use it for electricity production.

The whole process of turning hydro-thermal resources into electricity is based on conversion technologies. That is, there are three basic types of geothermal electrical generation facilities:

• binary (it function as closed loop systems that make use of resource temperatures as low as (74°C),
• steam (it makes use of a direct flow of geothermal steam), and
• flash (uses a mixture of liquid water and steam).

Flash power plant is the most common and it uses a mixture of liquid water and steam.

The type depends on reservoir temperatures and pressures. Each type produces somewhat different environmental impacts.

Example of flash power plant producing electricity

The most common type of power plant to date is a flash power plant (flash steam is the condensation caused by reducing pressure) with a water cooling system, where a mixture of water and steam is produced from the wells. The steam is separated in a surface vessel (steam separator) and delivered to the turbine, and the turbine powers a generator.

A cooling system is essential for the operation of any modern geothermal power plant, because cooling towers prevent turbines from overheating and prolong facility life. Most power plants, including most geothermal plants, use water cooling systems.

Water cooled systems generally require less land than air cooled systems, and are considered overall to be effective and efficient cooling systems. The evaporative cooling used in water cooled systems, however, requires a continuous supply of cooling water and creates vapor plumes. Usually, some of the spent steam from the turbine (for flash- and steam-type plants) can be condensed for this purpose.

Reliability of Geothermal Power Generation

The source of geothermal energy, heat from the earth, is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Solar and wind energy sources, in contrast, are dependent upon a number of factors, including daily and seasonal fluctuations and weather variations. For these reasons, electricity from geothermal energy is more consistently available, once the resource is tapped, than many other forms of electricity.

Examples of Power Plant Size and Applications

Though the size of a power plant is determined primarily by resource characteristics, these are not the only determining factors. Factors that favor the development of larger geothermal plants include things such as cost decreases when larger quantities of materials, including steel, concrete, oil, and fuel, are purchased at one time.

Cooling System

Most power plants, including most geothermal plants, use water-cooled systems – typically in cooling towers.

References/Sources - Idaho National Lab (INL) - Wikipedia - Geothermal Energy Association - U.S. Department of Energy

 

********** 

Software Calculator for cooling tower design and maintenance and TURBOsplash PAC ™ for filling material.

**********

The function of Cooling Towers with Geothermal Energy

Use of Cooling Towers with Geothermal Energy

1. What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy derives from the heat of the earth’s core. Here we will refer to energy deriving from the core of the earth. Based on new research, the earth’s core temperature is believed to be anywhere between 6000°C and 6500°C. This intense heat is absorbed by the different layers of the earth and, consequently, this heats our planet.

This geothermal energy can be used to generate geothermal power and is the source of our hot springs, volcanoes and geysers.

2. How is geothermal energy harnessed?

Geothermal energy is heat that is extracted from the earth. Pressurized hot water and steam, is produced when groundwater meets with the molten magma ascending from the earth’s core. Hot water flows to the surface through wells. Once pressure is released, the water flashes to steam. Deep wells, a mile or more deep, can tap reservoirs of steam or very hot water that can be used to drive turbines which power electricity generators.

3. How are cooling towers used with geothermal energy?

Let's suppose steam is separated from the water and this steam is used to drive a turbine generator. Conventional cooling towers are used to condense steam on the low-pressure side of the turbine to maximize electrical generation efficiency. Either direct condensers or surface heat exchanger condensers are utilized. In most cases, the condensate is used as makeup for the cooling towers. There is excess condensate available and this means that cooling towers run at low cycles. Low cycle operation results in excessive cooling tower treatment costs unless programs can be employed that are effective at low dosage rates.

4. Neri Calculator for cooling tower design and maintenance and TURBOsplash PAC ™ for filling material.

Geothermal power plants are designed with corrosion resistant materials of construction such as stainless steel in order to withstand the trace contaminants that enter the cooling systems with the steam. 

Cooling towers, if properly sized and filled with high efficiency fills, will yield optimal performance.

**************

References
1. University of Florida
2. International Geothermal Association
3. Wikipedia