CHEM*3360 Group 1

Figure 1 illustrates an example of how a geothermal heat pump works. As shown on the left, hot ground water is collected through the ground loop that connects the heat pump. The evaporator inside the pump heats the groundwater whereas the compressor then caputres the heat and raises the temperature by increasing the pressure.

There are 3 main types of geothermal plants; dry steam, flash steam and binary steam. Figure 2. Illustrates how a typical geothermal plant works. First, hot water is pumped from the Earth underground through a well under high pressure, next the water reaches the surface and there is a decrease in pressure, which ultimately causes the water to turn into steam. The steam then spins the turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces electricity. Then, steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back into water. Finally, water that has cooled is pumped back into the Earth for another process.

Direct-uses of geothermal energy consists of 3 key components, a down-hole and circulation pump that lifts the hot ground water to the surface and carries it fluids from the wellhead to either a site of the application or a steam-water separator, a mechanical system which delivers the heat sources from the down-hole pump directly for its intended use, and a disposal system