Working fluids and systems for recovering geothermal or waste heat

Patent · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5191206

Hutchinson, A J.L.

Energy is efficiently extracted from geothermal wells by flashing a portion of the hot fluid from the well into steam and using the steam and the hot fluid to heat an operating fluid in a closed system. The temperature and pressure of the system are such that the operating fluid vaporizes and the fluid has sufficient superheat to avoid condensation when expended in a prime mover such as a gas expansion gas turbine that has at least 75% conversion efficiency. Additionally, the operating fluid as a vapor has a specific heat that is at least 50% of the specific heat of the operating fluid as a liquid over the temperature range of 100/sup 0/F to 250/sup 0/F under the operating pressures of the process. Instead of using the steam to heat an operating fluid, it may be applied directly to a steam turbine. Additionally the steam may be washed before application to the turbine.

• Assignee: Geothermal Investment Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4057964
• OSTI ID: 5191206
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
CONVERSION
ENERGY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
EVAPORATION
FLASHING
FLUIDS
GAS TURBINES
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HEAT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
STEAM TURBINES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WASTE HEAT
WASTES
WELLS
WORKING FLUIDS