Thermal loop experimental facility, Salton Sea geothermal field, Niland, California: Environmental assessment

The US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has negotiated a contract with San Diego Gas and Electric Company, San Diego, California, (SDG and E) to support and expedite technology development at thermal loop experimental facility already under construction by SDG and E in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, near Niland, Imperial Valley, California. The facility is designed to simulate a 10 MWe geothermal electrical power plant, using 4-stage steam flash and binary cycle conversion equipment to extract heat from the high-temperature, high-salinity geothermal brines of the Salton Sea Field. An expansion valve will be used to simulate a power turbines to evaluate system operation. To date, economic development of this geothermal resource has been inhibited by severe technical problems, primarily scaling buildup in equipment exposed to the highly concentrated brines. As a result of test conducted during the past several years, SDG and E has designed a heat transfer system which, if successful, will permit utilization of this resource