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
A process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water-containing or hot water sources are described. Direct contact heat exchange is effected between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e.g., n-butane, in a heat transfer column. The heat transfer column is operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such a working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such a fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Cooled brine or water from the bottom of the heat transfer column and water from the accumulator are fed to a flashing device such as a flash drum operated at a pressure less than that in the accumulator. The working fluid flashed off is compressed and returned to the cooler at the expander discharge, for condensation and recovery. Uncondensible gases plus working fluid losses are vented from the accumulator. Cold brine or water is discharged from the flashing means such as the flash drum, and any scale formed in the heat transfer column is discharged from the bottom thereof.
- Assignee:
- Occidental Petroleum Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4089175
- OSTI ID:
- 6563600
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 23 Jun 1975
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources
Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water containing sources
Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
BRINES
DESIGN
FLASHING
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER
VAPOR CONDENSATION
WORKING FLUIDS
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
EVAPORATION
FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
150802* - Geothermal Power Plants- Power Plant Systems & Components