TECH4IMAGING LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 11b

Description

In geothermal energy power plant systems, water and steam heated by the earth’s core is released from underground reservoirs to turn turbines. The extraction of hot water and steam must be properly balanced by piping cold water back down into the earth to ensure that the reservoir isn’t depleted not enough injection or cooled off too much injection. This is especially important when operating in flexible mode to due to changing energy demands. However, proper balance of production and injection is difficult due to a technology gap in addressing the real time measurement of both processes. The solution proposed here is a noninvasive capacitance based twophase mass flow meter for measuring the energy output of each well in real time. This sensing tool is not currently available to welloperators/owners and would allow automation of large flexible geothermal operations that would drastically improve efficiency and lower risk of long term well damage. In Phase I, the solution was validated for dispatchable geothermal operations by producing a working prototype ready sensor and installing a unit on a live geothermal well. In Phase II, the product design was improved to be commercially viable by focusing on manufacturing and robustness against field conditions. Additional field testing was planned but was limited due to COVID19 restrictions. In Phase IIA, a flow loop will be built for testing in house and additional domestic field sites will be secured for further testing as COVID19 restrictions lift. Technical benefits to the public include more efficient operation of geothermal plants and better maintenance of the geothermal resources for longevity. As an analysis tool, this product will allow geothermal plants to understand how their flexible mode operations are affecting their reservoirs in short and long term. Economically, increased efficiency of geothermal plants pushes energy costs down. The anticipated increase in geothermal well longevity will lower the risk and financial barrier to entering the geothermal energy generation industry, which brings flexible sustainable renewable energy closer to reality. The more sustainably a geothermal well is maintained, the less harmful effects exploitation has on the environment. Beyond the geothermal industry, anyone seeking a twophase flow solution in steam and water could greatly benefit from the successful commercialization of this product.