Application note

Brine flow measurement in ageothermal power plant
Summary:• Easy to set up• Easy to operate• No process shutdown

Summary
Geothermal power plants use hydrothermal resources that have both hot water(from brine) and steam which can then be used to drive turbines connected toelectricity generators.

• No downtime and no periodic
maintenance/calibrationneededBrine temperatures vary between 140 °C-200 °C for each well. With a separator inplace to segregate water and steam, the latter is transported to the steam turbines
while water feeds the heat exchangers.

• Reliable

Geothermal brine flow measurement is crucial for the efficiency of the wells. Better
understanding the flow rate enables customers, firstly to control and optimize brine
flow; and secondly help determine the amount of scale and corrosion inhibitor
required to be injected into the well to maintain or even increase productivity. Flowmeasurement can have a positive impact on the well yield and subsequently thepower generation production capacity.
Recognizing an opportunity to optimize its brine flow measurement process, a South
Eastern European geothermal company contacted Panametrics.

Application
Medium: Brine
Geothermal Energy

Temperature: 170 °C (338 °F)
Pressure: 10 barg (145 psig)
Pipe: 12” Sch 40 CS
Flow rate: 400 m3/h maximum (1.5 m/s) or 1,761 GPM (4.9 ft/s)

Challenge
Different flow meter technologies were used in this geothermal
power plant to monitor and measure brine. However, these
traditional technologies, such as differential pressure andelectromagnetic flowmeters, failed mainly due to harshconditions like solid content leading to erosion and hightemperature. In addition, the customer was frustrated thatthe repair, refurbishment or calibration of these technologies
required a process shut down, causing production losses
during the turnarounds.

Solution
Flow verification tests were performed with the Panametrics
PT900 Portable Ultrasonic Flowmeter.
Thanks to its internal data logger, data from the tested wells
could be saved and recorded. The customer was also able toverify the flow rates without requiring an external power supply
at remote locations. The clamp on capability ensured themeter could be installed quickly and easily without process
disruption. This was highly appreciated by the customer.
After a successful measurement campaign, the customer
purchased nine permanent Aquatrans AT600 meters withhigh temperature transducers. The customer is pleased to
now be benefiting from unrivalled levels of flow measurement
accuracy and reliability and is experiencing zero down-time tocalibrate the flow meters or through unexpected repairs.

Panametrics, a Baker Hughes business, provides solutions in the toughest
applications and environments for moisture, oxygen, liquid and gas flow
measurement.
Experts in flare management, Panametrics technology also reduces flareemissions and optimizes performance.
With a reach that extends across the globe, Panametrics’ criticalmeasurement solutions and flare emissions management are enablingcustomers to drive efficiency and achieve carbon reduction targets acrosscritical industries including: Oil & Gas; Energy; Healthcare; Water andWastewater; Chemical Processing; Food & Beverage and many others.
Join the conversation and follow us on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/company/panametricscompany

Copyright 2023 Baker Hughes Company. All rights reserved.
BHCS39082		(04/2023)

panametrics.com