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GEOTHERMAL - RANKINE SYSTEM

Project type

Rankine Cycle System

Date

March 2023

GEOTHERMAL - RANKINE SYSTEM

Exploring the use of geothermal energy further, let's give some background on how a closed-loop Rankine cycle system works and how the machine could hypothetically incorporate a geothermal heat exchanger that extracts heat from the ground to generate electricity.

A closed-loop Rankine cycle system is a thermodynamic process that converts heat into mechanical work, which can then be used to generate electricity.

It consists of four main components: an evaporator, a turbine, a condenser, and a pump. The working fluid in the system undergoes phase changes (liquid to vapor and back to liquid) as it circulates through these components.

Here's a step-by-step description of how it works:

1. Evaporator: The working fluid (usually water or an organic compound with a low boiling point) absorbs heat from an external source, such as geothermal energy. As the fluid heats up, it evaporates and turns into vapor.


2. Turbine: The high-pressure vapor enters the turbine, where it expands and drives the turbine blades. This mechanical work can be converted into electrical energy using a generator.


3. Condenser: After passing through the turbine, the vapor enters the condenser, where it releases heat and condenses back into a liquid. This heat can be rejected to the environment or used for other purposes, such as space heating.


4. Pump: The liquid working fluid is then pumped back into the evaporator, completing the cycle. The pump increases the pressure of the fluid before it re-enters the evaporator.

To incorporate a geothermal heat exchanger into the machine, we can follow these steps:

1. Place the machine in a geothermally active area where heat from the Earth's interior is accessible near the surface. Ideal locations include areas with volcanic activity, hot springs, or geothermal reservoirs.


2. Install a ground loop system that consists of pipes buried in the ground, either in vertical boreholes or horizontal trenches, depending on the available space and the depth at which geothermal heat can be accessed. The ground loop should be filled with a heat transfer fluid, such as water or a water-antifreeze mixture.


3. Connect the ground loop system to the evaporator of the closed-loop Rankine cycle. The heat transfer fluid in the ground loop will absorb heat from the Earth and transfer it to the working fluid in the evaporator.


4. Integrate the remaining components of the Rankine cycle (turbine, condenser, and pump) into the machine, ensuring that they are appropriately sized and configured for the available geothermal energy and desired power output.


5. Use the electricity generated by the system for the machine's operation or to supply power to other devices or the grid.

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