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 carry-over through the turbine causes 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.
- Assignee:
- Department of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4326581
- OSTI ID:
- 5200896
- 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
150903 -- Geothermal Engineering-- Corrosion
Scaling & Materials Development
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BOILERS
BRINES
CONVERSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HYDROCARBONS
MACHINERY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WORKING FLUIDS