Power generation and potable water recovery from salinous water

Patent · Tue Sep 06 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6493478

Carson, D B

A process is disclosed for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water--e.g., sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface thereof and at a relatively high temperature--e.g., about 85/sup 0/F--is exposed to radiant solar energy to increase significantly the temperature thereof--e.g., to a level of at least about 135/sup 0/F. The heated water is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding zone, to provide substantially non-salinous vapor phases. The salinous liquid phase is introduced in series through the plurality of flash zones. The vapor phases are passed through separate, individual turbines, or into different stages of a multiple-stage turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated. Vapors exiting from the turbines are condensed via indirect heat-exchange with a second salinous water portion, obtained from a second depth substantially below the surface, and at a comparatively lower temperature--e.g., about 70/sup 0/F--to recover the liquid potable water. The salinous liquid phase emanating from the last flash zone is used to vaporize, via indirect heat-exchange, a hydrocarbon; this passes through a turbine, and additional power is generated. The exiting hydrocarbons are condensed, via indirect heat-exchange with another portion of said second salinous water, and recirculated to the indirect heat-exchanger.

• Assignee: UOP Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4046639
• OSTI ID: 6493478
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
DEMINERALIZATION
DESALINATION
DESALINATION PLANTS
DESIGN
DRINKING WATER
DUAL-PURPOSE POWER PLANTS
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
GAS TURBINES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PONDS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
SEAWATER
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR PONDS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WATER