Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for producing work from a source of high pressure, two phase geothermal fluid

US5526646A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 25, 1994
Grant dateJun 18, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 25, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/10
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for producing from a source of geothermal fluid that contains a mixture of high pressure steam, brine and noncondensable gases includes a heat exchanger for receiving geothermal fluid and transferring heat to water thereby vaporizing the same to produce steam. At least one power plant module is involved, the module having a steam turbine responsive to steam produced by the heat exchanger for producing work, a steam condenser containing an organic fluid and responsive to low pressure steam that exits the steam turbine for condensing the steam into a liquid and vaporizing the organic fluid. The module also contains an organic vapor turbine responsive to vaporizer organic fluid for producing work, and an organic vapor condenser responsive to the low pressure organic fluid that exits the organic vapor turbine condensing the organic vapor to a liquid that is returned to the steam condenser. The cooled geothermal fluid leaving the primary heat exchanger is conducted to a rejection well. Furthermore, an additional heat exchanger also can be provided, there being a first connection associated with both heat exchangers for selectively inserting the additional heat exchanger betwee…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.