Commissioning Geothermal Flash Plants

A Systematic Approach

Kevin Wallace, POWER Engineers, Inc.

Kevin Wallace, P.E.Senior Project Manager

Renewables Director

• Nuclear & Geothermal

• Plant operations

• FEED, design, and startup/commissioning work

Objectives of Commissioning

Schedule & Timing

Phases to Completion

Performance, Guarantees, Reliability

Q&A Session

Systematic Handover of Plant to Owner’s Operating Staff

Demonstration of Operability and Performance Guarantees

Information Traceability for Equipment and Construction

Design ConstructionCommissioning/

Startup

Construction Completion

•Constructed Per Design

(All Disciplines)

•QA/QC Inspections/

Certifications

•Testing (e.g. hydro)

•Flushing & Steam Blow

Pre-Commissioning

Checkouts

•Mechanical Checks,

Lubrication, Oil Filling

•I&C Checks (Loop, Logic,

Calibration)

•Electrical Checks

(Megger, OEM, NETA)

•Control System

Commissioning &

Startup

•Testing Actual Startup,

Operating, & Shutdown

Procedures

•Verifying Protections

•Plant Tuning &

Optimization

•Performance Testing

P&IDs, Lists, Specs, & Layout Drawings

Thermal Cycling

Cleanliness (CFR)

Unique approaches in multi-flash plants

“Cleaning Force Ratio" = FSB/FDES ≥ 1.2

System by System Checks◦ Safety, Support, then Process◦ Controls and System

Protections Verified

Wellfield◦ Pumps, CVs, Sampling

Separation Station ◦ Pumps, Vessels, Tanks, CVs,

Steam Vents, Sampling

Main Plant◦ Startup, Operating, and

Shutdown Procedures

◦ Tuning and Optimization

CV Calibration and Adjustment of Set Points

Match Final Design Conditions

◦ Operator Training and Final Documentation (Manuals)

Agreed Protocol and Data Collection

Test Conditions vs. Design Conditions

Correction Curves

Reliability Run and Warranty Period

Q&A Session Share Experiences