What is geothermal power plants

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development trends of the modern world is such that every year increases the need for additional sources of electricity.The reason for this is obvious: the process has already begun a gradual reorientation of many technical branches, in which at the moment are used as fuel resources of its views on electricity.There are many examples: electric steel furnace, hybrid cars and so on. That is what is the cause, explaining the active construction of power plants throughout the world.

Each country is interested in the most effective solution.And now there are to choose from which: geothermal power plants;nuclear power;running on heavy fuel oil, coal and gas;hydroelectric power;using solar and wind energy.All of them can be divided into two types, depending on the fuel supply (supply transport), and others, which are based on natural local sources of electricity.The latter are completely safe for the environment, which is very important in today's world.

Among these sustainable solutions of greatest interest are geothermal power plants.They have only two significant drawbacks: relatively small installed capacity and the possibility of building only in the vicinity of existing thermal springs.Consider this type of generating plants in more detail.

It's no secret that in some parts of the globe, there are natural sources of water and steam.Typically, these are areas near mountain ranges and in places where the thickness of the crust is small.The internal temperature of the Earth in the thousands of degrees.In some cases, the fault crust gets water, heated by the heat of bowels and pulled up in the form of superheated steam or hot water.Geothermal power plants use the kinetic force of such sources.Clearly, if the tubes to direct steam to the turbine, the work will be performed by its rotation.Just connect the classical generating machine and withdraw its findings electricity.

How it works is really quite simple.However, there are a number of features, due to which these stations are distinguished from one another.

Before the construction of geological exploration determines the optimal location of the future generation capacity.One condition - the proximity to the internal heat source.If there is a developed system of geysers, it remains only to correct their configuration properly (direct channel vertically, increasing the speed of the pair).In another case it is necessary with the help of drilling rigs further delve into the bowels of the planet: every 36 meters gives a temperature increase of 1 degree.

Sometimes couples (water) contains a mixture of dissolved gases, quickly destroying the station apparatus.In this case, the vapor stream passes intermediate purification.The first geothermal power plants appeared in 1904 and are still working.

There are two types of operation: open and closed loop.When using the first steam turns a turbine, is released into the atmosphere.The name of the second speaks for itself: pairs looped.Usually, all underground stations have two channels - to deliver media to the turbine and pumping back into the depths.In some countries a unique solution: the sewage is pumped into the bowels of replenishing the aquifer debit.In this way, it manages to dispose of water and to provide an additional supply of steam to the plant.Further steam can be used, and water.

sometimes used indirect (binary) scheme.It creates a loop of the looped turbine and channels containing a liquid with a low boiling point (less than water).The external hot water source evaporates the liquid in the circuit, and vapor pressure which results in movement of the turbine.In fact, we are talking about a large variety of heat pipe.