Blundell Geothermal Power Plant

This is my second time getting a tour of the Blundell Geothermal Power Plant and I must say this time was much more informative then the last time. I think it was because last time I was with my geology group and we did not focus on the environmental aspect, actually we did not talk about the environmental aspect at all. The geology there is pretty easy so the tour was pretty simple, but this time it was a lot more interesting talking about the environmental impacts and we focused more on the methods of used at the plant to produce electricity. The power plant is run by pumping water that is about 400 degrees at very high pressure. The pressure is then released and then 18 of that water is turned into steam which is used to move a turbine that creates electricity. The remain 82% of the water is pumped back into the aquifer. There is a second phase that uses the remaining 18% of the water to raise the temperature of the isopentane high enough to change it from a liquid to a gas. This reaction again moves a turbine creating more energy. The good thing about geothermal is that it is about 98% efficient and does not waste anything and is available 24 hours a day.

There is problems though, one is that they use isopentane in their pipes. This is very flammable and toxic chemical and if spilled could have very bad environmental consequences. It has an EU classification of N which means that is dangerous for the environment. Another consequence is that since the pipes are over 400 degrees all year around in the winter the facility harbors many animals that use the heat to keep warm and to find food. This may not sound like a bad thing but because it is changing their natural habits it could be harming the specie.

Picture Citation:

"Blundell Geothermal Powerplant." State Geothermal Data. 2011.

http://www.stategeothermaldata.org/sites/stategeothermaldata.org/files/images/Utah_IMG_1031.jpg