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Design Approach of
For Geothermal Applications
HUGO
Research Engineer
lnstituto De lnvestigaciones Electricas
Division Estudios De Ingenieria
Dante 36-11590, Mexico, D.F.
ABSTRACT
A n approach is given for designing steam-water sepa-
rators and steam dryers for geothermal applications. .The
theory, design parameters and recommendations
discussed here, enables the design engineer to calculate the
size of the equipment and to estimate its performance
under several operating conditions. An illustrative
example is also presented.
INTRODUCTION
The steam-water separator (inlet mixture quality <
95 percent) and the steam dryer (inlet mixture quality >
95 percent) are equipment of major importance during
the development, exploitation and electric generation of
a “liquid-dominated” geothermal field. Generally speak-
ing, a well delivers at the wellhead a water-steam mixture
which normally falls in the 15 to 35 percent dryness
fraction range which is separated in a separator. The
saturated steam obtained at each well is piped to the main
steam line which reaches a dryer where the moisture of
the steam is removed in order to avoid scaling and cor-
rosion a t the turbine. The water can be rejected or flashed
to provide vapor, which upon expansion yields addi-
tional power. This may be done several times a t each well
or in a flash plant; but, in any case, there will be several
steam-water separators a n d two or three steam dryers.
The dryer also removes the condensate formed along the
steam-line length and acts a s a safety element for the
turbine in the case of failure of the system separator-ball
float valve.
Geothermal Resource, Council BbLLETIN September 1984
and
by
LAZALDE-CRABTREE
Mexico
Since 1953, when the 26 M W plant of Wairakei New
Zealand was designed, the steam-water separator has
evolved d u e t o modifications (Smith and Hoe, 1958 and
Bangma, 1961) that have been integrated as result of
operation experience and the need for improving the
dryness of the separated steam to protect steam lines,
equipment, turbine, etc.
‘The experience acquired in many liquid-dominated
geothermal fields (New Zealand, Mexico, El Salvador)
has demonstrated that the Webre-type cyclone separator
is the best for geothermal applications (Smith and Hoe,
1958 and Bangma, 1961).
For removing moisture, several types of dryers
(horizontal, chevron-type, etc.) are operating a t different
geothermal power plants. U n i t 5 of Cerro Prieto I has 3
Webre-type steam dryers. The operating results have
been so good that they allow for the next dryers (Cerro
Prieto 11, 111 - 4 x 1 I O M W ) t o accept the same design.
Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of triple-flash plant
where the role of the separation equipment can be
appreciated.
DESIGN
When selecting a separator or a dryer, there are
several design parameters that should be taken into
account. They are, among others:
Steam quality of the separated steam
Steam pressure d r o p
Facility of operation and cleaning
Space requirements (dryers)
Cost
Page 11
 ______
...... ....... WATER
2 3 Flashing Orifices
I--
U
(3
.:1311- .......
i : .. l i l ~
. ....
MWM Figure 1
This paper deals only with Webre-type separators
and dryers because:
They are extremely simple (no moving parts that
can be corroded or eroded). In the Webre cyclone,
the steam first moves to the top and then changes
direction through 180" t o go down and out the
bottom outlet. Since both the steam and the
water outlets are a t the bottom of the cyclone,
piping layouts are very simple.
Their simplicity of operation has been proved in
many liquid-dominated geothermal fields.
This type of separator and dryer is very easy to
clean. This is a fundamental item because the geo-
thermal brine contains silica, among other chemi-
cals, which is mainly responsible for scaling. I t is
recommended to schedule at least one general
maintenance per year for well-head separators.
The outlet steam quality and the efficiency are
very high. The reported outlet steam quality (dry-
ness) has a n average of 99.95 percent ( McDowell,
1976) a t Wairakei field, New Zealand, and higher
than 99.99 percent a t Cerro Prieto, Mexico.
The performance of steam-water cyclones is
governed by two types of variables.
Page 12
STEAM- WATER FIGURE 1 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF
STEAM
TRIPLE-FLASH PLANT
1 Wellhead Valves Tree
2 Wellhead Silencer
4 Ball Float Valve (Check Valve)
5 Steam Headers
6 Turbines
7 Condenser
8 Cooling Tower
3 9 Steam Silencers
.....{;I..*
A Primary Separator
TO D I S P O S A L
B Secondary Separator
C Tertiary Separator
D Primary Dryer
E Secondary Dryer
F Tertiary Dryer
a) Operating variables, relating to properties, rates
and states of the phases. Generally speaking, the
p,ressure (and temperature) of the separator is
fixed by the inlet pressure of the turbine; there-
fore, the farther the well is from it, the greater the
separation pressure. The mixture can be con-
sidered inside the separator a t equilibrium, then
all properties (pressure, temperature, density,
viscosity, etc.) are fixed. Each well hasadifferent
pressure-flow curve; consequently, each well has
different flow of mixture (for the same operating
pressure) with a different inlet steam-water mass
rat io.
b) Design variables, relating to type and dimensions
of cyclones. In a geothermal field, one can find
wells with great production of mixture having a
very high steam-water mass ratio a n d small pro-
duction with low steam-water mass ratio; there-
fore the designer should stand u p t o the problem
of standardizing the size of the well-head separa-
for o r designing two or three different sires.
From the design, performance and cost points of
view, we recommend to have two or three sires,
assuming that the maintenance cost is kept low.
The outlet steam quality and the pressure d r o p
are the main criteria for designing separators and
dryers, and there are very few papers in the litera-
ture concerning their design. Since 1961, the base
for designing geothermal separators has been the
method given by Bangma (1961); however, this
method is an empirical one which has no way to
predict the outlet steam quality that will produce
a particular separator under different conditions.
Pollak and Work (1942) suggest an equation for
the prediction of liquid entrainment in Webre-
type separators, but it has been of little utilitydue
to the lack ofreliability. It can be said that there is
n o method t h a t can be used for designing separa-
tion equipment which is also capable of predict-
ing its behavior under several operating
conditions .
Lrothermal Resources Council BULLETIN September 1984
Theory
L
0 zoo-----
In this part o f t h e paper we will discuss the theory of
separation for steam-water mixtures in a Webre-type
cyclone regardless o f t h e application (separator or dryer). I-

There are two different terms that, in spite of this, are -_____--__
ve i-y oft t‘n taken i nd i s t i nc t l y : e 0 120--
8
The efficiency of separation (%et), defined a s the too-----
g 0
mass ratio of separated liquid to inlet liquid.
The outlet steam quality (,yo), defined a s the mass
ratio of outlet steam t o outlet steam-water.
Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the separation
stage. By definition:
STEAM V E L O C I T Y AT SEPARATOR I N L E T , (m/%l

JJ FIGURE 3 Separaloi p ~ i l o r m a n c e n i e a s u r c dby oullel steam quality (%i

and mass
wrtriess 01 oullnl steam ( O h ) against Steam velocily at separator inlet
(ll>!S)

The centrifugal efficiency increases when the inlet

steam velocity goes u p ( q m 1 as V r -
-), and the -
Substituting eyuation ( 1 ) into equation ( 2 ) , outlet entrainment efficiency goes u p when the upward annular
steam quality is related t o efficiency by steam velocity goes down ( V A 1 as V A N 0) - -
x* =
wv’w L (3) CE.WTK/FUGA L E F F I C I E N C Y (Vm)
1 - Qef + WV/WL
Using the same approach of Leith and Licht (l972),
i ) If qef = 0 t h e n Xo i s t h e i n l e t steam the centrifugal efficiency is given by equation (5)
quality

ii) I f vef = 1 t h e n Xo= Vef = 1 (this is

vrn= 1-EXP
[ -2 ($LO (5)

t h e o n l y case w h e r e X
0
= Vef n
1 = 0.6689 (6)

(7)
E Q U I P M E N T

--wv+ WA
STEAM- WATER

MIXTURE
+WL+ WA

Wy: MASS FLUX OF S T E A M

WL: M A S S FLUX OF WATER
Wu: MASS FLUX OF MIXTURE (=W,tW,)
WA : MASS FLUX OF ENTRAINMENT
The parameter $ is a centrifugal inertial impacta-
tion parameter, reflecting operating conditions within
FIGURE 2 Schemalic Flow D i a g r a m 01 l h e Scparalion Stage
the cyclone. Equation (8) shows that $ is very sensitive to
d,, therefore, reliable estimates of d, are necessary to
Figure 3 ( I E E , 1980) and Table I (Bangma, 1961), obtain accurate results for 4 . The estimation of d, will be
show that the outlet steam quality is low when the inlet discussed later.
steam velocity a n d the upward steam velocity (annular Figure 4 shows the nomenclature used throughout
steam velocity inside of the separator) are low. When this article a n d it should be pointed o u t that this nomen-
both steam velocities increase, the outlet steam quality clature is the same for the separator or dryer-with the
goes u p to a point (breakdown point) where the outlet difference that the separator has spirial inlet with a
steam quality breaks down drastically. For modeling, it is change in cross - section from cylindrical to rectangular
assumed that there are two independent phenomena with shape a t the entrance when the dryer has a tangential inlet
influence on the efficiency of separation a s follows: with constant cross-area. The dryer has no water outlet
‘e* = V r n . 77, nozzle (only a drain), being tangential-type for the
(4) separator. -
77 rn = Centrifugal efficiency 8 Kc D L
c = (10)
A = E n t r a i n m e n t efficiency

Ceolherrnal Resources Council BULLETIN September 1984 Page 13

 F IEL0
(COUNTRY)
I WELL I N L E T MASS
(SEPARATOR) FLUX M I X T U R E
SEPARATION
PRESSURE
SEPARATOR
DIAMETER
I N L E T S T E A M O U T L E T STEAM
VELOCITY QUAL I T Y
REFERENCE

( Kg / a ) ( K P o ABS) (m) ( m/a) ( "1.3 )

I

WAIRAKEI 1 P R ,4M4A R Y
87 1550 0.76 72 99.500 Bangma. l Y 6 1
(NEW ZEALAND) SEPARATOR

1 OTAKE
(JAPAN)
SECUNDARY
SEPARATOR 22 - - 55 99'925
A I ka % a
and Soda. 1970
(MODEL)

CERRO P R I E T O M-50 L a Y 3 Idc

PRIMARY 72 853 1.37 37 99'99'
(MEXICo) SEPARATOR a n d others. 1982

CERRO PRIETO u-5

TERCIARY 367 255 2.14 24 99.997
SEPARATOR
~~ __.__--

u-5
CERRO PRIETo
SECONDARY 377 44 i 2 .14 16 99.999
( SEPARATOR
___
CERRO
PRIETO
( E I )
TE,",iRy
S E PAR A T 0 R
(46 245 2.f4 8 99.986

TABLE 1. Outlet steam quality ( O h ) against inlet steam velocity ( m / s ) for several Webre separators at different geothermal fields

Phe parameter C is a cyclone design number, reflect-

ing the physical shape of the cyclone.
A. = Ae . Be (separator) (11)

(dryer)

Kc = tr QVS
D3

tmi= ___
Q"S

VOs = -b
7r ( D2 - :D ) Z

voIi
tma = -
Qvs

STEAM-WATER SEPARATOR STEAM DRYER 1

I I

FIGURE 4 Smernalic didgrain 01 Webie-lype steam-water sepdraloi arid Steam

dryer
As\uming AS M E llanged and dished head
L>rop Diarnrtcr (d,)
V02 = 0.081 DJ T h e parameter 9 is given by equation (8) where the
2 d r o p diameter (d,) a n d the tangential velocity of d r o p at
7rDe cyclone wall ( u ) a r e the most important parameters. For
vo3 = ____ ( a + 0 . 1 6 9 D) simplicity, it is assumed that u can be taken satisfactorily

Page 14 Geothermal K e w u r t e , Council B b L L f T I N Sc'ptember 1984

as equal to the average velocity of steam at the entrance; V A = 10 j
but for the estimation ofd,, there is not a simple solution.
T h e diameter d,, should be taken a s the effective average j = -3.384 (v,) 13.9241 (241
d r o p diameter inside the cyclone.
It is well known that the efficiency of a cyclone is
reduced when the d r o p diameter decreases; therefore, one
should understand the causes a n d reasons for a n increase
o r a reduction of the d r o p diameter. We believe that the
d r o p si/e inside the cyclone is governed by the d r o p dia-
meter in the pipe upstream of the cyclone. T h e latter is
determined by the balance between the inertia a n d the T h e method given here was developed with a d a t a
surface forces, a s well a s by the equilibrium between bank taken from well-head separators ( D = 1.4 m.4.5 ft.)
d r o p s leaving a n d arriving at the wall, the pressure d r o p . a t C e r r o Prieto geothermal field. T h e method has been
and the type of two-phase flow pattern, pipe line con- tested against d a t a experimentally obtained in secondary
figuration, etc. A m o n g the numerous correlations con- a n d terciary Webre separators of 2.1 m (7 ft.) a n d dryers
sulted (Delale, 1980; Hinze, 1955; Azzopardi and others, of 2.6 m (X.5 ft.) with very good results. T h e absolute dif-
1980; Nukiyami a n d Tanasawa, 1938), we tested several ference between the outlet steam quality experimentally
o f them obtaining unfavorable results. T h e Nukiyama- measured a n d the o n e predicted by this model averages
Tanasawa equation (Nukiyami a n d T a n 0.005 percent. I t should be noted that this method has not
gives the trend of results-probably d u e to the tact that been tested exhaustively; therefore, it should be taken
the mechanism of breakup of venturi throats a r e similar only a s a good procedure before it is compared with new
to the mechanism of breakup of a vapor-liquid-system in data.
a pipe. Taking this equation as the basic relation for
drop-sile evaluation, we proceed t o modify it by adding Design Parameters
different terms in the following way: Taking from the
d a t a bank, obtained from actual well-head separators, GENERAL HECOM,ClENL)il TlONS
the d a t a with 100 percent or 99.99 percent outlet steam
F o r separators, the inletshould be o f t h e rectangular
quality ( V A = I ) a n d the equations (3) t o (20) knowing
spiral-type, a n d the floor o f t h e spiral should have a slight
everything except d, we got equation (21). fall (say 4") just as it enters the cyclone to encourage the
water t o flow downwards more rapidly (Bangma, 1961).
F o r dryers. the inlet should be of the circular tangential-
type because pressure d r o p is reduced with this arrange-
' I
(21)
ment.
Where: 4Qvs
VT = - 2 TYPE OF TWO-PHASE
a 8
FLOW PATTERN
7r DT
S T R A T I F I E D AND -0 4 5 3 8
A = 66.2898 wp.vr 0 5436 94 9 0 4 2 I X S I ' 00253

K = 1357.35
I ANNUL A R
I
1 0 8069 I98 7 7 4 9 I X S )
0 2628
I
i1
- 0 2188
b = 0,2250
~ ~

! I
I 0 5747
c = 0.5507 DISPERSED AND
~ 0 8069 ~ 140 8 3 4 6 I X S I -0 2188
BUBBLE

T h e variables a,e, B a r e dependent o n the type of

two-phase flow pattern according t o Baker's method
PLUG AND SLUG ~ 0 5436 '
I

373618 IXSI

(L-awrence, 1952) a n d a r e given in Table 2. Equation (21)

is not a general equation and it is not dimensionally con-
sistent; therefore. it should be used with the following
I
dimensions; pL.in g,icm, V - r i n m / s , o L , i n d y n e / c m , p l .
in poises a n d QI, a n d Qvs in m'Is, resulting d, in
microns. All variables should be evaluated a t separator's
pressure.
E.W~R,~II\.'MEIVT
EFFICIENCY
T h e centrifugal efficiency term, by itself, was not
able to predict the outlet steam quality d u e to the fact that
7, always increases a s u ( o r VT) increases; however, it is
known that a t a given point, the entrainment goes u p
drastically with high velocities. T h e term which takes this
into account is the entrainment efficiency (q,.,),arrived at
from d a t a reduction a n d given a s equation (23).
TABLE 2 Variables a e. B to be used with equation (21)
T h e steam outlet pipe should be a s large a s possible,
even inside of the t o p head of the equipment. T h e only
limitation is that the area between the end o f t h i s pipe
(lip) a n d the wall of the t o p head should be a t least equal
t o the cross-area t o this pipe. We recommend 1.25 times
the cross-area. This is a c o m m o n practice in Mexico
(developed by the staff of Cerro Prieto) which has given
exceptional results because the residence time is
increased a n d the possibility of water going directly t o the
steam outlet pipe (short circuit) is diminished. Aside from
this. the chances of water running upward along the
steam-outlet pipe a n d contaminating the steam a t the rim
a r e reduced. T h e diameter of this pipe ( D e ) should be
equal to the inlet mixture pipe diameter (D[).

Geothermal Remurces Council BLLLETIN September 1984 Page 15

 T h e outlct aater- pipe diameter ( D b ) $ h o u l d be equal CONCLUSIONS
to thc inlet mixture pipe diameter ( I l l ) .
a ) F r o m equation (3). one can say that for any given
T h e separator should consider a water d r u m which cyclone pressure, the drier the .inlet mixture the
can be either integrated or not. This d r u m acts as a greater the a m o u n t of steam flow the cyclone will
volunie to give s m o o t h operation a n d a s a water-seal to hand le. other t h i ngs being cy ua I ,
avoid steam losses.
b ) The inlet steam velocity is a very important
factor. At low velocities the outlet steam quality
PA R.4 b1E‘TEK.S
is bad and the equipment is big. Increasing the
The recommended design parameters for geo- velocity, the outlet steam quality increases and
thernlal separators and dryers are given in Table 3. pressure d r o p goes up, but the sire of piping and
equipment are reduced. Breakdown occurs at
-PA R A M E T E R I SEPARATOR 1 D R Y E R 1 high input velocities and becomes worse a s the
velocity is increased.
c) T h e annular upward velocity inside the cyclone is
I RECOMMENDED STEAM VELOCITY
RANGE A T INLET M I X T U R E P I P E 1 25-40 m / s
(80-130I p s ) 1 3s-SO m / s
1115-l601ps) 1 also very important. At low velocities the entrain-
ment is low and a t high values the entrainment
can be excessive.
d ) T h e method is based o n the steam phase; there-
V E L O C I T Y I N S I D E CYCLONE fore, the dimension “b” has n o effect on the outlet
--
R, = O/D+
steam quality, but it is known that this dimension
has influence on the performance of the
This is a disadvantage of this method that should
be corrected with experimentation. T h e recom-
mended valve for b is based o n experience
(Bangma, 1961).
I Rs = 2/Dt I 5 5
I 4 0 I e) Although the method outlined here can certainly
be improved, at this time i t is a good design proce-
’
I1 should be Calctilaled as a drain dure.
’. Tnis rallo is rieydlive because of the rlOrnericialure linslde the head)
TABLE 3 Recomrneiideii ilesiyn paiarneiers Iui Geothermal separators and dryers
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Pressure Drop A geothermal secondary separator should be
designed to give a n outlet s t t x m quality of 99.95 percent
The gas pressure d r o p c a n be expresses as lo r t he fo I lo w i n g e o nd it i o n s:
(Lawrence, 1952; Ludwig; Koch a n d Licht, 1977;
Shepherd and Lapple, 1939) Mixture Enthalpy 813.3 kJ
Separation Pressure = 547.7 kPn
Mixture Flux = 190346.4 kg;h
M a x i m u m Pressure D r o p = 68.9 k P a
Integral Water D r u m
Ae ’e
N€I = 16 beparator) (28) a) ’I re1i m i na ry C a IC u la t i o ns
With the separation pressure and steam tables we
find:
S e pa rat i o n t e m p e rat ii re ( sat ii ratio n ) =
155.3” c
S t e a m Enthalpy = 275 I .5 kJ ’ kg
Water Enthalpy = 654.8 k J / kg
Bangma shows that the total gas pressure d r o p is Specific volume of steam = 0.3586 in’ kg
given by Specific volume of water = 0.001 I m‘. kg
AI? = AD1 + AP
2 (29) With the separation temperature
S t e a m viscosity 14.67 ( I O . ” ) kg, m.s.
where LPI is the gas piessure d r o p between the separator Liquid viscosity = I .736 (IO-‘) kg,’m.s
inlet nnd the separatoi body, a n d LF’j between the sep.1- Surface tension = 0.0467 N m
ratoi body a n d the separator steam outlet Inlet mixture quality
AP 1
_-
APT
- 0.6
AP 2
dpT = 0 - 4
(30) x. = HM
Hvs-
- HIS
FILS

Page 16 C c o t h e r n i a l Resotircrs Council BbLLETIN S e p t e m b e r 1984

 X. = 813.3 - 654.8 Integral water d r u m
1
2751.5 - 654.8 I t is a c o m m o n practice to take the same dia-
Xi = 0.0756 meter of the separator with a length eqiial t o

WM . xi . Vev
@VS = 3600
$rr,
= 0.76 m
- (190346.4) (0.0756) (0.3596)
Q
, - 3600 C e 11t r i fuga 1 Efficiency
Q, = 1.4334 m3/s n = 0.06689 (0.84) 0.14
1
wt.1 (l-X1)
n = 0.6528
Q, = 1
3600

Q, =
(190346.4)

3
(1-0.0756)
3600
(0.0011)
1 - 0.6528
1-

n
n

= 0.6114
=
+ 273.2
155.3 294 1 0.3

QL = 0.0538 m / s
x
VD =
S
-il- (0.7056 - 0.0645) (1.4)

3
b) Design VOs = 0.7049 rn

Inlet area a n d diameter of inlet pipe

2
7JD
Lo1= -4 "
A\suniing a n inlet steam velocity of 35 m / b 2
( I 15 tps) n(0.84)
M =T . (-0.04)
1
A = _ _ _ _ _ - 0.041 m 2
35 LQ1 = -0.022 m3

DT =[?I 0.5
= 0.2284 m vD2 =

VO =
2
0.081 D

0.048 m'l
3

T h e next standard diameter is 0.254 m (IO", sch 40)

therefore D, =I 0.254 m ( 10" sch 40),
V , = 28.27 m i s M 3 = ( 0 *42 5 4 ) 2 [-0.04 + 0.169 (0.84)
1
From T a b l e 3 3
W3 = 0.006 rn
D = 3 . 3 Dt = 0 . 8 4 rn
&I = 1 Dt = 0.254 m V% =
VOl + V02 - V03

Db = 1 Dt = 0.254 m
VD = 0.02 m'
(3 =-0.15 Dt = -0.04 m H
B = 3 . 5 Dt = 0.89 m
-
tm - = 0.014
2 = 5 . 5 Dt = 1.40 m

The separator has a spiral inlet with a cross-area tr = t~ + tm/2

tr = 0.49 + 0.014/2

2 tr = 0.5 s
A. 0.0645 rn

Kc tr Qvs
-- -
u = -QVS
= ____
1.4334 D3
AO
0.0645
- (0.5) (1.4334)
u = 22.22 m/s Kc - (0.84)

Geothermal Resources Couricil BULLETIN September 1984 Page 17

 xc = 1.21 j =-3.384 ( ) c v ~ 13.9241
)
2
c = -8-
j = -7.288 ( )
"0

C = E(1.21) (0.04f 0 , = 10'

0.0645
C = 106 OA = 99.9999 ( lo-*)

D r o p particle e) Efficiency
Flow pattern (Baker's method) (Lawrence,
1952) " ef= Om * "A

Bx = 16.5 B = 3711.7 rl ef = 99.9972

Y

Therefore the two-phase flow pattern is "dis- t ) Outlet steam quality

persed." Using Table 2 and equation 2
WV = WM . Xi/3600
Wv = 190346.4 ( 0 . 0 7 5 6 ) /3600

wv = 3.95173 kcJLS

A = 66.2898 Vt = 28.27 m/s WL = WM (1 - Xi)/3600

B = 31.9298 ( 3 ~= 4 6 . 7 0 2 5 dynes/cm
3
K = 1357.3460 PL = 0.9117 g/cm
W, = 48.8767 kg/s
a = 0.8069 PL = 1.736
- WV%
b = 0.2250 Q, = 0 . 0 5 3 8 m3/s
m3 / s
xo - 1 - Oef + \iV/WL
c = 0.5507 Qvs = 1.4334

e = -0.2188
wv -
_ _ . -

wL
0.08178 C1 - = 2.8 (

dw = 116 m i c r o n s - 0.08178
xo - 0.08178 + 2.8 *

Xo = 9 9 . 9 6 6 %
2
Pw dw (n+l) u
dJ= g) Pressure D r o p
18 P v D
NIi = 16 "e Be
2
$ = - ( 9 0 9 . 1 ) (116 1 (1.6114) (22.22)
De
(18) (14.67 * loT6) (0.84)
NfI = 16
9 = 1.9718
NII u 2 pV
AP =
2

(16) (22.2212(2.7886)
r - AP =
2
AP = 11 k Pa

Since X,, is higher than 99.95 percent a n d Al) lower

than 68 kPa, the designed separator can achieve the task.
d ) Entrainment Efficiency ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
T h e a u t h o r is grateful to Mr. Eduardo Burndi'a for
he1p f u 1 s ugge s t io [is o n computer p rogra m m i ng a tic1
during development of the paper.

Page 18 Ceotherrndl Kemur tes Council BULLETIh Septenihrr 1984

 a
REFERENCES De steam outlet pipe diameter, m

DT inlet pipe diameter, m

dw drop diameter, m
HM mixture enthalpy , kJ
HLS water enthalpy, kJ/kg
HVS steam enthalpy, kJ/kg
parameter defined by equation ( 2 4 1 ,
dimensionless

KC
parameter defined by equation (121,
dimensionless

LWD length of the integral water drum, m

n free vortex law coefficient,
dimensionless
parameter defined by equation (6),
"1
dimensionless

QL
volumetric water flow , m3[s

Qvs volumetric steam flow , m3/s

T temperature, OC

tma maximum additional time of steam in

cyclone, s

tmi average minimum residence time of

steam in cyclone, s

NOMENCLATURE
2
inlet area at cyclone wall, m
A. =
inlet width, m
Ae =
inlet height, m
Be =

BX = Baker's parameter (Ref. 13 1,

dimensionless
By = Baker's parameter (Ref. 13 1,
dimensionless
c = parameter defined by equation (101,
dimensionless
D = diameter of cyclone, m
Db = water outlet pipe diameter, m

C w t l i c r m d l Rerourtes Cuuncil UULLCTIN September 1984 Page 19

tr = residence time, s Greek Letters
= inlet tangencial velocity of drop at a = define by Fig. 4 , m
cyclone wall, m/s
@ = define by Fig. 4 , m
VAN = upward annular steam velocity, m/s
= entrainment efficiency, dimensionless
A
VeL = specific volume of water, m3/kJ
"ef -- efficiency of separation,
VeL = specific volume of steam, m3/kJ dimensionless
J
VOH = volume defined by equation ( 1 7 1 , m centrifugal efficiency, dimensionless
7

vos = volume defined by equation (15), m' water viscosity, kg/m*s

3
vol = volume defined by equation (181, m steam viscosity, kg/m-s
3 steam density, kg/m 3
vo2 = volume defined by equation (191, m
3 water density, kg/m 3
voj = volume defined by equation ( 2 0 ) , m
WA = mass flux of entrainment, kg/s surface tension, N/m
WL = mass flux of water, kg/s parameter defined by equation ( 8 1 ,
dimensionless
Wt? =
mass flux of inlet mixture, k g / s
dP = pressure drop, N/m 2
W" = mass flux of steam, kg/s
x.I = inlet mixture quality, dimensionless
- outlet steam quality, dimensionless
xo -
z = define by Fig. 4, m

Page 20 Geothermal Reiources Counrll HLLLETIN September 1984