초록 ▼

An improved turbopump unit and system for pumping hot geothermal liquids from deep wells to the earth\s surface. The unit is of simplified single-shaft construction with reduced net reaction thrust on the shaft. Bearing wear is minimized by using hydrostatic bearings and by supplying lubricating liq

An improved turbopump unit and system for pumping hot geothermal liquids from deep wells to the earth\s surface. The unit is of simplified single-shaft construction with reduced net reaction thrust on the shaft. Bearing wear is minimized by using hydrostatic bearings and by supplying lubricating liquid thereto which is taken from an intermediate stage of a centrifugal pump at the surface which supplies motive liquid to the turbine. An arrangement is provided that is operated by pressure of the lubricating liquid for maintaining all thrust-engageable surfaces carried by the shaft out of engagement at start-up and shut-down. Means operated by liquid pressure are provided for sealing the unit to the well casing and also for preventing undue tensile or compressive stresses in the supply conduit for the turbine motive liquid while maintaining an effective seal between the unit and the well casing.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for pumping hot geothermal liquid from a deep well to the surface of the earth comprising: a turbopump unit submerged in hot geothermal liquid in an enclosed and encased deep well, said unit having turbine means driving centrifugal pump means provided with a downwardly facing inlet and an o

A system for pumping hot geothermal liquid from a deep well to the surface of the earth comprising: a turbopump unit submerged in hot geothermal liquid in an enclosed and encased deep well, said unit having turbine means driving centrifugal pump means provided with a downwardly facing inlet and an outlet thereabove; means for sealing said unit to the well casing between said pump inlet and outlet including radially expansible and contractible ring means operable by liquid under pressure to effect sealing engagement with the well casing and also frictional engagement therewith against relative vertical movement therebetween; means mounting said sealing means to said unit for relative vertical movement therebetween; rigid conduit means suspending said unit in said well and for supplying turbine motive liquid under high pressure from the surface for driving said pump means to pump geothermal liquid from below said unit upwardly through said casing to the casing head at a pressure above boiling; means operable by liquid under pressure supplied from the surface after the unit has been submerged to its operational depth to urge said unit upwardly relative to said sealing means to impart a lifting force for relieving tensile stresses in said conduit means, said conduit means extending through said casing head; means sealing said conduit means to said casing head while permitting relative vertical movement therebetween; and means outside said casing head for exerting an adjustable upward force on the top end of said conduit means for suspending the latter and said unit in said well.