Utilization of brine water for copra drying in Lahendong geothermal field, Indonesia

Abstract

The separation process of geothermal fluid, more precisely two-phase geothermal fluid, yields dry steam that is supplied directly to a power plant and brine water that is pumped down to the re-injection wells. Brine water gained from the production separator is still carrying a lot of energy at temperatures up to 99°C, and it is obviously better if the energy can be extracted before pumping it back to the reservoir. Geothermal energy is an environmentally friendly, natural resource and commonly operated side by side with a plantation area. The easiest and simplest way to utilize this energy is by collaborating with this plantation activity. One of many ways to utilize the brine water is using it to dry the agricultural products harvested around the geothermal production area. Coconut is one of many agricultural products harvested around Lahendong geothermal field. Most of these coconuts will be dried to produce copra. Generally, copra is still produced with conventional sun drying methods which mostly depend on the weather conditions and sun availability, By utilizing the energy from brine water, the drying process can be continued indoors throughout the whole year.