Dynamic Simulation of the Kalex Multi-Component Binary Cycle System

Technip USA Engineering, 2011-12

Liaison(s): Michael Mugerwa PhD, Teddy Hartono PE, Gary Eagleson PE, Sanjeev Sekhri
Advisor(s): Mary Cardenas
Students(s): Nicole Peck (TL), Jinhwa Chun, Joyce Lin, Brianna Posadas (F), Andrew Hilger (S), Monica Hwang (S)

The Kalex cycle is a unique ammonia-water binary cycle that can generate up to 30% more electric power than traditional binary systems at the low temperatures of many geothermal resources. The clinic team has developed and analyzed a transient model for the Kalex cycle. This transient model has been used to study the performance of the cycle in response to changes in ambient temperature, offering insights into the performance of a Kalex power plant under realistic operating conditions.