Countercurrent direct contact heat exchange process and system

Patent · Tue Sep 11 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5620922

Wahl, III, E F; Boucher, F B

The invention discloses an apparatus and method for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources by direct contact heat exchange with a working fluid, such as a hydrocarbon working fluid, e.g., isobutane. The process and system consists of a plurality of stages, each stage including mixing and settling units. In the first stage, hot brine and arm working fluid are intimately mixed and passed into a settler wherein the brine settles to the bottom of the settler and the hot working fluid rises to the top. The hot working fluid is passed to a heat engine or turbine to produce work and the working fluid is then recycled back into the system. The system is comprised of a series of stages each containing a settler and mixer, and wherein the working fluid and the brine flow in a countercurrent manner through the stages to recover the heat from the brine in increments and raise the temperature of the working fluid in increments. 27 claims.

• Assignee: Occidental Petroleum Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4167099
• OSTI ID: 5620922
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320304* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
COUNTERFLOW SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
HEAT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
WASTE HEAT
WASTES