The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of an Organic Rankine Cycle(ORC) power plant to generate electricity from low flow rates of a geothermal resource (~875gpm) at low temperatures (T~100°C). Initially, a model of ORC was developed usingCHEMCAD process simulator. This model was used for the conceptual design of thegeothermal power plant. The simulation results obtained from the model were compared todata from an existing power plant based in Chena, Alaska for model validation. The model andactual data are in complete agreement. This model was next used to study the performance ofthe power plant at various operating conditions such as flow rate and temperature of bothgeothermal resource and cooling medium. Based on the operating conditions at the desiredsite, the output power of the ORC power plant was predicted. This predicted output power wasused for economic analysis and feasibility of the power plant.The model suggested a total of 500 kW annualized gross power can be generated atthe desired site using two 280 kW units similar to Chena Hot Springs, Alaska. Assuming acapital cost of $3000/kW and an electricity sale price of $0.10/kWh, the payback time isestimated to be 5 years. Also, due to the year round low ambient temperature at the site, useof air coolers is feasible.
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