MODULE 5
Geothermal Energy Conversion.
Energy from Bio Mass.
Hydrogen Energy.
Geothermal Energy Conversion
Working Principle
• Geothermal power plants use steam to produce electricity. The
steam comes from reservoirs of hot water found a few miles or
more below the earth's surface. The steam rotates a turbine
that activates a generator, which produces electricity.
• Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well
under high pressure.
• When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped,
which causes the water to turn into steam.
• The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator
that produces electricity.
Types of Geothermal Stations
• Direct Dry Steam. Steam plants use hydrothermal fluids that
are primarily steam.
• Flash and Double Flash Cycle. Hydrothermal fluids above
360°F (182°C) can be used in flash plants to make electricity.
• Binary Cycle. Most geothermal areas contain moderate-
temperature water (below 400°F).
Detailed Classification
Dry Steam Power Plant
Working Principle
Steam is obtained by drilling between seven to ten thousand
feet deep into the earth’s crust. The steam obtained is piped
directly into a turbine generator, producing electricity. The
steam is then condensed and placed back into the steam
reservoir, providing a reusable energy source.
Vapor Dominated Plants, also referred to as dry-steam power
plants, are so rare that only two locations exist in the United
States. These include The Geysers in California, previously
mentioned above, and the famous dry steam reservoir held at
Yellowstone National Park.
Flash Steam Power Plant
Working Principle
• In liquid dominated plants, geothermal plants are built upon
liquid reservoirs within the earth’s surface. This liquid is sent
through one or more separators in order to lower the pressure
of the water, creating steam. This steam then propels a turbine
generator causing it to produce electricity. This steam is then
condensed back into a liquid and placed back into the liquid
reservoir it originated from. This type of geothermal plant is
very common and provides a sustainable, reusable form of
energy.
Binary Cycle Power Plant
Working Principle
• A binary cycle power plant is used when the water in a
reservoir is not hot enough to transform into steam. This lower
temperature water is instead used to heat a liquid that expands
when heated. This fluid increases the pressure around a
generator causing a turbine to turn, producing electricity. The
fluid is recycled and used again to form a reusable energy
source. This is the most readily available geothermal resource
throughout the country, as it does not require specific liquid or
steam reservoirs
Geothermal Power Stations in the World
Countries using Geothermal Energy
Problems associated with Geothermal
Energy Conversion
1. Suitable to Particular Region
2. Geothermal Power Has High Initial Costs
3. Cost of Powering the Pump
4. Geothermal Power May Cause Surface Instability
5. Environmental Concerns
6. High Temperatures Needed
7. May Run Out of Steam
8. Sustainability Issues
9. Distribution Costs
Energy from Bio Mass
Photosynthetic Oxygen Production
• During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2)
and water (H2O) from the air and soil. Within the plant cell,
the water is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while the
carbon dioxide is reduced, meaning it gains electrons. This
transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into
glucose.
Energy Plantation
Bio Gas Production by Anaerobic
Fermentation
Working Principle
Biogas Plant Description
Working Principle Of Biogas Plant
Working of Biogas plant:
• A mixture of farm waste is fed into the biogas plant. This waste is
mixed to make a slurry.
• Slurry is then fed into the digester. Digester is an air-tight
chamber and oxygen is not present in it.
• Anaerobic bacteria in digester carry out decomposition of slurry.
This results in production of biogas.
• Biogas is sent out through an outlet so that it can be suitably used.
• Decomposed matter is taken out and
• Used as manure.
Transportation of Biogas
• Upgraded and purified biogas can be transported from the
location of production to a filling station by means of the
public gas grid, a local gas pipeline or by trucks.
Problems involved in Production of Biogas
• Ammonia (NH3) Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen that is
produced during the digestion process.
• Alkalinity (Capacity of water to neutralize acids in Biogas plant)
• Ratio between volatile acids and alkalinity. (must be below 0.35 or in-bw 1-0.35)
• Oxygen.
• Volatile fatty acids (VFA) (shows the health of the digester)
• Organic loading (constant throughout)
• Gas production. (Blue flame instead of yellow at the waste gas burner)
• Salt Level.
• Temperature variation (constant throughout)
• Heavy Metal.
• Mixing (To maintain constant temperature)
• Foaming (Reduces Performance & causes safety issues)
• Struvite Creation.
Application of Biogas
Advantages of Biogas
Application of Biogas in Engines
• An engine works by burning gas in its cylinders.
• Combustion releases the energy in the gas which is converted
into heat and mechanical force to drive the engine's crank
shaft.
• The crank shaft in turn rotates an alternator to produce
electricity.
Hydrogen Energy
• Properties of Hydrogen:
Sources of Hydrogen
Hydrogen Production methods
Electrolysis of Water
Working Principle
• Electrolysis is a process by which electric current is passed
through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical
change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron
(oxidation or reduction).
• Electrolysis of water is the process by which water is
decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen gas, when electric
current is passed through it. Water molecule is decomposed in
to H+ and OH- ions, when electric current is passed through it.
• The electrolyte is necessary because pure water will not
carry enough charge due to the lack of ions.
Thermal Decomposition of Water
Why Thermal Decomposition of Water is
required
• The transformation generates hydrogen, a form of clean
energy that may eventually fuel vehicles without creating
pollution. The planet earth does not have natural reservoirs of
hydrogen.
What is Thermochemical Processing
• Thermochemical processing is the use of heat to promote
chemical transformations of biomass into energy and
chemical products.
• Thermochemical conversion can be classified as:
Pyrolysis.
Liquefaction.
Gasification.
Direct combustion
based on their temperature, pressure, and duration of heating.
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis Working Principle
• The pyrolysis process is the thermal decomposition of
materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere.
It involves a change of chemical composition. The word is
coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire", "heat",
"fever" and lysis "separating".
• Pyrolysis is thermal decomposition occurring in the absence
of oxygen.
Liquefaction
• Liquefaction is an effective method to convert straws into
liquid products, which are potential intermediates for the
production of fuels and chemicals.
Gasification
• Gasification is a technological process that can convert any
carbonaceous (carbon-based) raw material such as coal into
fuel gas, also known as synthesis gas (syngas for short).
Direct Combustion
• Direct combustion is a thermochemical technique in which the
biomass is burned in open air or in the presence of excess
air. In this process, the photosynthetically stored chemical
energy of the biomass will be converted into gases.
