Method and apparatus for producing power from geothermal fluid
US5809782A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A modular power plant operating from a source of geothermal fluid that produces geothermal steam containing non-condensable gases such as hydrogen sulfide, and geothermal brine, includes a steam module and an organic fluid module. The steam module has a steam turbine coupled to a generator for expanding the geothermal steam and producing electrical power, low pressure steam, and condensed steam. The organic fluid module includes a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and receiving low pressure steam slightly above atmospheric pressure from the steam module for producing vaporized organic fluid, steam condensate, and a mixture of steam and non-condensable gases, an organic vapor turbine coupled to a generator for expanding the vaporized organic fluid and producing electrical power and expanded organic fluid, a condenser for condensing the expanded organic fluid to liquid organic fluid, preheater apparatus for preheating the liquid organic fluid using heat contained in the steam condensate and producing cooled steam condensate, and a pump for supplying preheated organic fluid to the vaporizer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.