REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS

MECHANICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

TECHNICAL REPORT

SUBMITTED BY:
FALLURIN, CHARITY F.
HERNANDEZ, MARICAR I.
HERNANDEZ CHRISTINE MAE
ME-5301

SUBMITTED TO:
DR. MICHAEL A. ALORIA
PROFESSOR VI

ME-523 POWER PLANT DESIGN

MID-YEAR SEMESTER, AY: 2017-2018

11, JULY 2018

POWER PLANT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT

Bicol Hydro Power Plant

Part I. Power Plant Process Background

Bicol Hydro Power Plant located at Naga City, Camarines Sur is considered to be
a mini hydro power plant with an output of 320 KW per unit. During peak season of January
to February it can operate full capacity of three units.

Hydropower is using water to power machinery or make electricity. Hydropower uses a

fuel—water—that is not reduced or used up in the process. Because the water cycle is an
endless, constantly recharging system, hydropower is considered a renewable energy.

When flowing water is captured and turned into electricity, it is called hydroelectric
power or hydropower. There are several types of hydroelectric facilities; they are all powered
by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream. Turbines and generators
convert the energy into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to be used in
homes, businesses, and by industry. 

In run-of-the-river systems, running water from a river is guided down a channel

or penstock. There can be some change in altitude at this point, so there may still be some
contribution from falling water. The diverted water is brought to an electricity generating
house. In this house, the running water drives a turbine, running a generator and generating
electricity. After being used, water is fed back into the river downstream. One major
difference between large-scale conventional storage hydro is the lack of a large
impoundment dam or significant hydroelectric reservoir. In this case, there is generally only
some small-scale dam that is built to allow energy generation without a significantly large
reservoir.

Part II. Objectives of the Performance Analysis

The General objective is to be familiarize with the power plant as well as the
equipment and machines used and the plant operation.

1. To know the working process of a Hydro Power Plant.

2. To identify the different prime movers and mechanical equipment used inside the
power plant and their functions.
3. To distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of a hydro power plant.
4. To differentiate the hydro power plant with other types of power plant.
 5. To familiarize with the different safety practices and procedures implemented inside
the power plant.

Part III. Technical Data, Information, and Assumptions

The term mini-hydro power plants refers to plants with a capacity below 10
MW according to the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)
classification. Its modest size helps to reduce pressure and environmental impact. Generally
speaking, this classification is valid worldwide.

The way of classifying mini hydro power plants is based on their functioning in relation to
the method of water intake and storage; (a) Flowing water facilities, these do not have the
ability to be regulated. Capacity during the year depends on the hydrological regimen of the
watercourse. The amount of energy produced is strongly influenced by the capacity of the
watercourse. This also represents the main limitation of this type of facility, as the production
of electricity depends on the capacity of the watercourse that can be exploited, which by
definition is variable throughout the year, resulting in variable levels of production according
to the season. As can be imagined, for example, there is a greater production of energy in the
rainy seasons. (b) Regulated flow facilities (storage): these can regulate water flow using
daily, weekly or monthly regulation tanks. Regulation is linked to the tank’s storage capacity.
They exploit the potential energy contained in the water collected in natural or artificial
basins. The amount of energy produced depends mainly on the drop.

Mini hydro power plants are usually water flow facilities built next to rivers, streams or
irrigation canals with a constant speed in relation to the instream flow required to protect the
ecosystem.
 Figure 1. Plant Cycle Diagram of a Hydroelectric Power Plant

The river water comes from Mt. Isarog, a dormant volcano in Camarines Sur. Near the
bottom of the head water there is the water intake. It has a head of 32.5 meters in height and
gravity causes it to fall through the penstock. The penstock has a length of 282.5 m with a
width of 700 mm and a thickness of 6 millimeter. At the end of the penstock there is a
turbine propeller, which is turned by the moving water. At the plant they uses a francis type
of turbine with 215 KW and has a speed of 150 - 1000 revolution per minute. The shaft from
the turbine goes up into the generator, which produces the power. Power lines are connected
to the generator that carry electricity to the houses. The water continues past the propeller
through a 2 kilometer tailrace into the Inanihan river.

The Basic parts of a hydro-electric power plants are:

A. Penstock

Figure 2. Penstock

It is a long pipe about 282.5

meters, width of 700 millimeters and thickness of 6 millimeters that carries the water flowing
from the reservoir towards the power generation unit. It possesses kinetic energy due to its
motion and potential energy due to its height. It has a head of 32.5 meters.

B. Water Turbines
 Figure 3. Francis Turbine

Water flowing from the penstock is allowed to enter the power generation unit,
which houses the turbine and the generator. When water falls on the blades of the turbine
the kinetic energy and potential energy of the water is converted into the rotational
motion of the blades of the turbine. The rotating blades causes the shaft of the turbine to
also rotate.

The Mini-hydro power plant uses three Francis Turbine, 53 m by 32.5 m in size.
Each Turbine has a power of 215 kW and has a speed of 150 to 1000 meter per minute.
The Turbine is coupled to an alternator which has a power of 320 kW and voltage of 480
volts. It has a speed of 1200 revolution per minute.

C. Generator

It is the generator where the electricity is produced. The shaft of the water turbine
rotates in the generator, which produces alternating current in the coils of the generator. It
is the rotation of the shaft inside the generator that produces magnetic field which is
converted into electricity by electromagnetic induction. Thus, the potential energy of the
water is converted into electricity.

Related Calculations:

As discussed by Sir Agaton P. Espiritu the hydro power plant has a maximum
capacity of 320 kW per unit.

kW = H x Q x 9.81 kN/m x e

where:

kW= power plant output; 320 kW per Unit

H = head; 32.5 meters

Q = flow, in m/s

9.81 kN/m = weight of 1 cubic meter of water

e = an overall efficiency factor (usually 0.5 for small microhydro systems)

 320 kW
Q= kN
9.81 ( 0.5 ) (32.5 m)
m

Q= 2.007370815 m3/s

For each unit the required flow rate to produce a 320 kW is 2.007370815 m3/s. To
produce a maximum output of 960 kW the required flow rate is 6.022112445 m3/s.

Part IV. Analysis and Interpretation of Results

A hydro power plant as compare with other types of power plant is very
accessible and extremely inexpensive. The plants are almost entirely automated, no fuel
needs to be purchased and maintenance costs are low. In addition, the useful life of a hydro
power plant is long. Many of the plants in operation today were built over 50 years ago and
their useful life will continue for many years to come. Investment costs are quickly
recouped once the plant is in operation.
An important characteristic of hydro power is that it generates a great deal of
electricity as soon as the water is released, and is not dependent on weather, wind or long,
complicated start-up processes, a characteristic not shared by many other types of energy.
Hydro power generation can be increased, for instance, to cover shortfalls from wind power
and other types of energy that cannot be directly controlled, or from nuclear and coal power
plants which take longer to get started.

Part V. Proposed Solutions and Improvements

The power plant can be improved by providing good ventilation around

the area. Using a silencer can also be added to reduce the noise coming the machines. A
good renovation can also be considered since as we observe there are parts around the area
that needed to be replace. Even other equipment looks like outdated.
Proper housekeeping and maintenance must be observe since as we tour around
there are places that oil is spilled on the ground causing the floor to be slippery. The
Lighting inside the power plant must also be observe since there are places where you can’t
see the pathways.

Part VI. Conclusions and Recommendations

 It was slightly unfortunate that we came up on their plant during their off peak
season since only one unit is operating. Yet it was still educational since it was a first time
we across to a renewable type of power plant. A hydro power type of power plant be it a
mini or large is very easy to understand because of its easy installation as compare to the
conventional type of power plant. Only a good source and large amount of water is needed
to be able to put up this kind of power plant. The place is also very refreshing since it is very
close to the nature.
References:

https://minihydro.co/mini-hydro-power-plant

POWER PLANT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT

Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant

Part I. Power Plant Process Background

Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant Philippines is located at Tiwi, Albay Philippines.

The Tiwi Geothermal Field is located on the northeast flank of Mt. Malinao in Albay
Province, Philippines .Commercial operation began on May 15, 1979, with start-up of the
first National Power Corporation (NPC) 55MWe unit and over the next three years, the
installed capacity was increased to 330MWe. This was a very aggressive development
schedule, dictated by the need of the Philippine Government to reduce dependence on
imported oil at a time when oil prices were rising significantly. The field has now provided
steam to the NPC power plants for 30 years and in spite of many challenges and difficulties,
gross generation has averaged 157MWe and a total of 40.6TW.hrs of electricity has been
provided to the national grid, saving the Philippines from importing 80.6 million barrels of
oil.
 A production well is drilled into a known geothermal reservoir. Typically, an injection
well is also drilled to return used geothermal fluids to the geothermal reservoir. Hot
geothermal fluids flow through pipes to a power plant for use in generating electricity. The
Extracted Brine from within underneath will pass through the separator to separate the water
from the steam. The Separated steam will now pass through the scrubber to cleanse unwanted
particles and to purify the steam that will pass through the steam turbine. The Generation of
electricity is now done by a private company known as the Aboitiz Company. Meanwhile the
separated hot water was exposed to the environment while the other was then reinjected
together with the used steam underground.

Part II. Objectives of the Performance Analysis

The General objective is to be familiarize with the power plant as well as the
equipment and machines used and the plant operation.

1. To know the working process of a Geothermal Power Plant.

2. To identify the different prime movers and mechanical equipment used inside the
power plant and their functions.
3. To distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of a Geothermal power plant.
4. To differentiate the Geothermal power plant with other types of power plant.
5. To familiarize with the different safety practices and procedures implemented inside
the power plant.

Part III. Technical Data, Information, and Assumptions

Present steam availability is estimated to be 450kg/s from the 37 production wells. This is
equivalent to 200MWe, based on the design steam requirement of 2.25kg/s/MWe for the
rehabilitated power plants with their mechanical gas extraction systems operating. The
discharge characteristics of the wells vary widely from liquid dominated producers, with
enthalpies as low as 1,050kJ/kg, to superheated steam wells with up to 35°C of superheat.

Production of Acid-Sulfate Fluids During the initial development of the Nag area, a
number of wells were found to produce acid-sulfate fluids. As production moved further
west, some wells drilled in the southern area of the field from Kap and Bar encountered acid
fluids and in 2008, the presence of acid fluids was also found in the North Mat area. If the
produced fluid from these wells has a pH above 4.0, they are normally flowed to the system
but their discharge chemistry, particularly pH and Fe concentration is carefully monitored as
per set guidelines to ensure that corrosion is not occurring in the well and they will not cause
corrosion in the surface facilities. In 2000, Bar-08 was flowed while injecting sodium
hydroxide through capillary tubing installed in the well to neutralize the acid. This was
successful for 3 months but when attempting to pull the tubing for inspection, the injection
head was found to be scaled into the wellbore.

The main avenue for possible breakthrough is thought to be the Cale fault, which is
nearby or intersected by some of the wells in which tracer returns were found. In the Mat
area of the field, some of the dry and superheated steam wells have turned two-phase over
the past five years and there is a possibility this might be associated with injection,
particularly to the cold brine injector, and also to an increase in hot brine injection at the
main injectors. Tracer tests conducted in 2008 show that there is connection but further
studies are required to determine if the connection is significant enough to cause long term
damage to the production reservoir. With the reduction in overall flash fraction and the
likelihood that this will continue into the future as production becomes dominated by lower
enthalpy wells, there will be a continuing need to review the injection strategy and possibly
find new injection sites if the capacities of the existing injection wells are exceeded. This will
require a continuing program of chemical monitoring, flow testing and tracer testing under
various scenarios.

Figure 1. Cycle Diagram of

Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant
 Figure 2. T-S Diagram of Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant

A schematic of a double-flash geothermal power plant is shown in Figure 1, with a

temperature entropy diagram shown in Figure 2. Geothermal brine exits the production well
(1) as a saturated liquid above atmospheric pressure. After passing through a throttle valve,
the brine (2) enters a separator where saturated vapor (4) is sent to a high pressure turbine
while the saturated liquid (3) undergoes a second throttling process before entering the flash
vessel (6). The lower pressure saturated vapor (8) exits the flash vessel to combine with the
exhaust of the high pressure turbine (5) before entering a low pressure turbine (9). The
mechanical power of both turbines is used to generate electrical power via a generator. The
turbine exhaust (10) is condensed in a condenser (11), while the saturated liquid exiting the
separator (7) is reinjected into the geothermal reservoir via an injection well.
It is assumed that the geothermal brine has the same thermodynamic properties as pure
water. Throughout this analysis, the subscripts f and g denote saturated liquid and saturated
vapor, respectively.

Equipment used are:

A. Turbine
 Figure 3. Turbine

Hot, pressurized geothermal fluid, or a secondary working fluid, is allowed to expand

rapidly and provide rotational or mechanical energy to turn the turbine blades on a shaft. This
turbine is attached to an electric generator, and as the turbine turns the generator turns the
mechanical energy into electric energy, thus converting the heat from the Earth into usable
electricity.

B. Steam Generator

Another key component of a geothermal plant is the steam production unit, which
can take multiple forms. In a flash steam vent, superheated pressurized water is drawn
from its place underground to low-pressure tanks. The pressure of the Earth kept the
water in liquid form despite its high temperature, and by removing that pressure the hot
water instantly turns to steam, hence the term flash steam. In a dry steam plant, the plant
technicians pump water to the bottom of the vent where the Earth’s heat boils the water
and turns it into steam.

C. Condenser
After the steam passes through the turbine, it continues to a condenser chamber.
This chamber condenses the steam back into liquid water by cooling it. The excess heat
lost as the steam turns to liquid water may be used for other applications, such as heating
or greenhouse farming. The cooled liquid water is then typically pumped back into the
ground to either restart the boiling process for dry steam or to replenish the natural heated
aquifer for flash steam plants.

D. Scrubber
Geothermal plants use scrubber systems to clean the air of hydrogen sulfide that is
naturally found in the steam and hot water. Geothermal plants emit 97% less acid rain-
causing sulfur compounds than are emitted by fossil fuel plants.

E. Cooling Tower
Cooling tower is an integrated part of any geothermal power plant because waste
heat from turbine exhaust steam must be continuously rejected to make the plants
operate. 

Part IV. Analysis and Interpretation of Results

 The Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant was the first geothermal power generated in the
Philippines.  By 1982, Tiwi became the world’s first water-dominated geothermal system to
produce more than 160 megawatts (MW).  Its currently installed capacity now is 330 MW.
Geothermal offers a significant environmental and economic advantages over fossil fuels in
generating electricity and as a renewable energy source, geothermal energy creates
significantly less greenhouse gases.

Geothermal heat is available all the time and is considered the most reliable source of
renewable energy sources as compare to wind and solar energy that depends on the weather.
Geothermal also have minimal requirements to land and water sources.

Most of the gathered heat underground the tiwi area are brine, which must be separated
first to recover the steam before using by the steam turbines. But besides from brine solution
there are also acid solution like sulfur, mercury and others that must be observed first.

Part V. Proposed Solutions and Improvements

The key to overcoming the challenges of Tiwi has been to have a strong multi-
disciplinary resource team in place that can quickly understand and react to the issues and
provide workable solutions. At the present time there are 37 production wells in the field,
including the two new wells completed in 2008. The successful completion of these two
wells opens up additional possibilities for locating future production wells to the south and
southwest of the field that will help maintain production in the future at or above the present
level of 430kg/s (190MWe). However, it will also require additional investment in the
existing surface facilities, with particular emphasis on injection as brine production is
expected to increase as a consequence of declining overall flash fraction. It is recognized that
there will continue to be challenges in the future at Tiwi, but still confident that they can and
will be overcome and Tiwi will continue to be a reliable producer of electrical power.

Part VI. Conclusions and Recommendations

The Tiwi Geothermal Power plant in Tiwi, Albay specializes in drilling the
earth’s surface to acquire steam underground yet it doesn’t show the actual generation of
electricity since it was done by the Aboitiz Company.
 The Drilling process of the earth’s surface is very expensive and takes million of
money so a failed exploration is unthinkable. There must be an accurate and precise data
around the area before starting the drilling process.
It was said that one-tenth of the country’s source of electricity comes from
geothermal power plant. If it was properly administered and took up consideration by the
government, geothermal power plant can be a good source of provider of electricity around
the country replacing the conventional ones. It can be a good news since it is renewable and
doesn’t affect much the environment.

References:

https://www.geothermalenergy.com.
 POWER PLANT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT

Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant

Part I. Power Plant Process Background

Bac-Man Geothermal Inc (BGI) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Energy

Development Corporation (EDC). On May 5, 2010, BGI acquired the 150-MW Bac-Man
Geothermal Power Plant located in Bacon, Sorsogon City and Manito, Albay in the Bicol
region.
 
The Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant (BMGPP) facilities consist of two steam power
generating plant complexes. The Bac-Man 1 facility originally included two 55-MW units
which were both commissioned in 1993. Bac-Man 2 facility, on the other hand, originally
comprised two 20-MW units namely the Cawayan plant  located in Barangay Basud and the
Botong plant in Osiao, Sorsogon City.

Water or working fluid is heated and then sent through a steam turbine where the thermal
energy is converted to electricity with a generator through a phenomenon
called electromagnetic induction. The next step in the cycle is cooling the fluid and sending it
back to the heat source. Water that has been seeping into the underground over time has
gained heat energy from the geothermal reservoirs. Production wells are used to lead hot
water/steam from the reservoirs and into the power plant. Rock catchers or scrubbers are in
place to make sure that only hot fluids is sent to the turbine. Reinjection wells ensure that the
water that is drawn up from the production wells returns to the geothermal reservoir where it
regains the thermal energy that we have used to generate electricity. Depending on the state
of the water (liquid or vapor) and its temperature, different types of power plants are used for
different geothermal reservoirs. Most geothermal power plants extract water, in its vapor or
liquid form, from the reservoirs somewhere in the temperature-range 100-320°C (220-
600°F).
Part II. Objectives of the Seminar

The General objective is to be familiarize with the power plant as well as the
equipment and machines used and the plant operation.

1. To gain knowledge about Geothermal Energy and its Development.

2. To distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of a Geothermal power plant.
3. To differentiate the Geothermal power plant with other types of power plant.

Part III. Technical Data, Information, and Assumptions

Geothermal power plants use the much higher temperatures found deep within the earth
to generate electricity. In a way, these power plants are very much like coal or oil powered
generators in that the electricity produced by all of them comes from steam driven turbines.
The crucial difference is that coal and oil powered plants burn fossil fuels to produce the
steam while geothermal plants use the heat of the earth’s core. The earth’s core is extremely
hot. How close that heat is from the surface varies widely around the globe. Some areas are
more suitable for geothermal power generation than others. It depends on how far from the
surface hot areas are located. The Pacific “Rim of Fire”, known for the high incidence of
volcanoes is especially suited for geothermal energy production, but many other parts of the
world are as well. We’ve all heard of hot springs, geysers and volcanoes. These are all
examples of situations where the heat from the molten core comes close to the surface. Heat
from hot springs has been used directly since ancient times. The earth’s outer hardened crust
has variable thickness, meaning the distance to the underground molten rock is variable. The
further the hot material is from the surface, the more difficult it is to tap into it to produce
electricity. The concept behind geothermal power generation is simple. Drill a hole deep into
the earth to tap into a pressurized area of hot water and steam. Pipe the steam to the surface
and use it to drive a turbine to generate electricity.
 Figure 1. Cycle Diagram of Geothermal Power Plant

A schematic of a binary geothermal power plant is shown in Figure 1. The geothermal brine
enters the power plant as a liquid at greater than saturation pressure, cooling as it heats the
working fluid in the evaporator and then the preheater before being reinjected in an injection
well. The working fluid operates in a basic Rankine cycle, entering the turbine as a saturated
vapor at state 1.
The working fluid exits the turbine at state 2 and is condensed to a saturated liquid before
reaching the condenser exit, 3. A pump raises the working fluid to the necessary pressure, 4, and
the working fluid enters the preheater, where it is heated to saturation temperature by the
geothermal brine. The working fluid is a saturated liquid at state 5, and is heated to the saturated
vapor state, 1, by the geothermal brine in the evaporator.

Part IV. Analysis and Interpretation of Results

A geothermal plant can also be engineered to be firm, flexible, or load following,

and otherwise support the needs of the grid.   Most geothermal plants being built now have
adjustable dispatching capabilities. In addition to geothermal, natural gas is dispatchable. 
This means a geothermal plant can meet fluctuating needs, such as those caused by the
intermittency of solar and wind power.
Geothermal power plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity, so the levels of
air pollutants they emit are low. Geothermal power plants emit 97% less acid rain-causing
sulfur compounds and about 99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel power plants of similar
size. Geothermal power plants use scrubbers to remove the hydrogen sulfide naturally found
in geothermal reservoirs. Most geothermal power plants inject the geothermal steam and
water that they use back into the earth. This recycling helps to renew the geothermal
resource.
Part V. Proposed Solutions and Improvements

Geothermal Exploration is needed first before the actual drilling process to

prevent from loss of money and exploitation of the environment. To inhibit any loss there
are many advancement on the actual drilling process. The Drilling process today do not only
focus on straight drilling but also on angled drilling process to acquire the needed amount of
heat underground.
A standard well hole and casting is also provided to prevent any damages and to
prevent earthquakes from occurring.

Part VI. Conclusions and Recommendations

It must be a good tour if given a chance to explore the Bac-man Power Plant in
Sorsogon. Yet, the seminar was also informative especially the topic focuses on the
Geothermal Energy and its Development. Seminar focuses mostly on the Geothermal
Explorations and drilling process. Continuation of recovering the heat from below
underground to generating electricity can also be a good topic on the seminar.

References:

https://www.energy.com.ph/bgi-res/