Recovery of energy from geothermal brine and other hot water sources
Process and system are disclosed for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, by direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and an immiscible working fluid, e.g., a hydrocarbon such as isobutane, in a heat exchange column, the brine or hot water therein flowing countercurrent to the flow of the working fluid. The column can be operated at subcritical, critical or above the critical pressure of the working fluid. Preferably, the column is provided with a plurality of sieve plates, and the heat exchange process and column, E.G. With respect to the design of such plates, number of plates employed, spacing between plates, area thereof, column diameter, and the like, are designed to achieve maximum throughput of brine or hot water and reduction in temperature differential at the respective stages or plates between the brine or hot water and the working fluid, and so minimize lost work and maximize efficiency, and minimize scale deposition from hot water containing fluid including salts, such as brine. Maximum throughput approximates minimum cost of electricity which can be produced by conversion of the recovered thermal energy to electrical energy.
- Assignee:
- Occidental Petroleum Corp
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4276748
- OSTI ID:
- 6030502
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 5 Oct 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing sources by direct contact with a working fluid below the critical pressure
Geothermal energy production
Related Subjects
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
DESIGN
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
EQUIPMENT
HEAT RECOVERY
BRINES
COUNTERFLOW SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY RECOVERY
HYDROCARBONS
PLATES
WORKING FLUIDS
CONVERSION
FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components