Direct contact, binary fluid geothermal boiler

Patent · Thu Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5197262

Rapier, P M

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
• OSTI ID: 5197262
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
DESIGN
2-METHYLPROPANE
BRINES
CORROSION
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
SCALING
TURBINES
VAPORS
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HYDROCARBONS
MACHINERY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
TURBOMACHINERY
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components