102 Geothermal Power Plants: Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact

equal to (2) the temperature difference between the first flash and the second flash,
and is also equal to (3) the temperature difference between the second flash and the
condenser. Chapter 6 presents a full discussion of this topic.

5.7 Environmental aspects for single-flash plants

5.7.1 General considerations

There are several potential environmental impacts from geothermal plants [10,18,19];
Table 5.3 shows a listing that may be applied to all kinds of geothermal power plants.

5.7.2 Considerations pertaining to single-flash plants

There are specific places at a single-flash plant where emissions can occur during
normal operation. These include:
G Wellhead and station silencers and mufflers
G Steam traps and drains from pipelines
G Vents from the noncondensable gas ejectors
G Water vapor plume from a wet cooling tower
G Cooling tower blowdown.
Geothermal steam contains noncondensable gases such as hydrogen sulfide, H2S, car-
bon dioxide, CO2, methane, CH4, and others in very small amounts. Uncontrolled vent-
ing of steam releases all these gases to the atmosphere. Under normal conditions, these
gases are isolated in the condenser, drawn into the ejectors, and if necessary, treated
before release to the atmosphere. There are many reliable, cost-effective means for
removing H2S if the amount that would be vented exceeds regulated limits [10]. The CO2

Table 5.3 Geothermal power plant environmental concerns.

Possible impact Details Abatement techniques

Air pollution H2S emissions Several effective commercial

systems in use
Water pollution Surface discharge of waste brine; groundwater Reinjection
contamination
Noise pollution Drilling; well testing Rock mufflers; silencers
Visual pollution Unsightly pipes and buildings in pristine areas Use low-level structures; paint
equipment in blending colors
Land usage Well pads, pipe routes, powerhouse, and Much lower impact than
substation conventional plants
Water usage Cooling tower makeup (for binary plants only) Use air-cooled condensers
Land subsidence Liquid removal from subsurface can lead to Rare, most dramatic at Wairakei,
surface depressions New Zealand
Greenhouse gases CO2 emissions Very low emissions relative to
conventional fossil plants
Loss of natural Thermal manifestations may disappear; e.g., the Do not develop resources in or
wonders geysers at Beowawe and Steamboat Springs, adjacent to national parks
Nevada