Direct contact, binary fluid geothermal boiler
Energy is extracted from geothermal brines by direct contact with a working fluid such as isobutane which is immiscible with the brine in a geothermal boiler. The geothermal boiler provides a distributor arrangement which efficiently contacts geothermal brine with the isobutane in order to prevent the entrainment of geothermal brine in the isobutane vapor which is directed to a turbine. Accordingly the problem of brine carryover through the turbine causing corrosion and scaling thereof is eliminated. Additionally the heat exchanger includes straightening vanes for preventing startup and other temporary fluctuations in the transitional zone of the boiler from causing brine carryover into the turbine. Also a screen is provided in the heat exchanger to coalesce the working fluid and to assist in defining the location of the transitional zone where the geothermal brine and the isobutane are initially mixed.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- TIC; ERA-05-034810; EDB-80-105748
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- OSTI ID:
- 5197262
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Direct contact, binary fluid geothermal boiler
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Related Subjects
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
CORROSION
DESIGN
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
GASES
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
MACHINERY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SCALING
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VAPORS