Research on hot dry rock power generation system in Xinghua area

China is rich in Hot Dry Rock (HDR) resources, but there is yet less successful practice and design experience in HDR power generation. Based on HDR resources in Xinghua area, this work designs a power generation system with organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology and the effects of various operating parameters on system performance were analyzed. Results show that with the proposed ORC system, power generation can be realized for HDR in Xinghua area, and the introduction of a reheater after the turbine helps to increase the Thermoelectricity Conversion Efficiency (TCE) of this system. The increase of steam superheat degree at turbine inlet leads to higher TCE but requires a larger area for the evaporator. The decrease in outlet pressure of the turbine or the increase of outlet pressure of the working medium pump results in higher TCEs but increases the pressure ratio at the inlet and outlet of these two devices, leading to higher equipment cost. This work explores the power generation scheme and operating parameters of HDR resources in Xinghua area and can also guide other HDR power generation units with similar resource characteristics.