Method of apparatus for disposing of non-condensable gases present in geo fluid
US5694772A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A stream of non-condensable gases that include hydrogen sulfide which are produced by a geothermal plant are disposed of by first compressing at least a part of the stream to form compressed gases. Spent geothermal liquid produced by the power plant is pressurized, and directly contacted with the compressed gases to produce an effluent containing substantially all of the hydrogen sulfide, which can be disposed of in a re-injection well, and a stream of pressurized gases substantially free of hydrogen sulfide which can be released to the atmosphere. Before the stream of pressurized gases are released to the atmosphere, such stream preferably is expanded in a turbine for producing power. Also, preferably, this power so produced is used to compress the non-condensable gases thus reducing the net power consumed. In a further alternative, where chemicals are utilized, almost all of the hydrogen sulfide is stripped from the stream of gases. Only the stripped stream, which contains almost all of the hydrogen sulfide, is compressed prior to injecting these gases into a re-injection well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.