초록 ▼

A process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel d

A process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liuqid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2°-4°F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment. The heated water stream under substantial pressure is fed to an expander or turbine to produce work, and the expander discharge, after cooling and condensation of any steam therein, is reintroduced into the evaporator compartments of the staged units. Such recycled water, together with make-up water is introduced as feed into the condenser compartment of the last stage and passes into the respective condenser compartments of each of the preceding stages, and is further heated in each stage, and the hot brine, or the like, introduced into the evaporator compartment of the first stage is passed through the evaporator compartments of each successive stage and is further cooled in each successive stage, and is finally passed to waste.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for recovery of energy from hot aqueous liquids containing a non-volatile solute which comprises providing a plurality of interconnected like stages, and in each stage thereof (a) directly contacting a hot aqueous first liquid with a water immiscible second liquid having a boiling point lo

A process for recovery of energy from hot aqueous liquids containing a non-volatile solute which comprises providing a plurality of interconnected like stages, and in each stage thereof (a) directly contacting a hot aqueous first liquid with a water immiscible second liquid having a boiling point lower than said first hot liquid in an evaporator zone, causing said immiscible second liquid to boil and generate vapor, (b) contacting the vapor of said immiscible second liquid generated during said boiling with cooler water in a condenser zone, (c) causing condensation of said vapor of said second liquid and heating said water by transfer of latent heat from the condensing vapor, (d) withdrawing condensed second liquid, and (e) recycling said condensed immiscible second liquid from said condenser zone to said evaporator zone.