Power generation and potable water recovery from salinous water
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
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 22 Nov 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Power generation and potable water recovery from salinous water
Power generation and potable water recovery from salinous water
Related Subjects
DESALINATION PLANTS
DESIGN
OPERATION
DUAL-PURPOSE POWER PLANTS
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
DESALINATION
DRINKING WATER
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
GAS TURBINES
HYDROCARBONS
POWER GENERATION
SEAWATER
SOLAR PONDS
DEMINERALIZATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PONDS
POWER PLANTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WATER
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems