US3893299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Geothermal heat recovery by multiple flashing
Assignee: GEOTHERMAL INVESTMENT Co
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Filing: 1974-01-25
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1994-01-25
Abstract
Abstract Hot fluid which may contain salts and other dissolved minerals as well as some fixed gases and especially hot water from a geothermal well is passed through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures. Some of the flash chambers may operate below atmospheric pressure. The steam from each flash chamber is passed in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid. The working fluid operating in a closed loop after being heated is expanded in a power extracting gas expansion device for the generation of power. The fixed gases or non-condensible gases are removed at the output of the highest temperature heat exchanger and released to the atmosphere or passed through a prime mover to recover additional power. The hot fluid at the output of each heat exchanger is either combined with the steam at the output of the next flash chamber and passed through the next heat exchanger or applied to the input of the next flash chamber in conjunction with the hot fluid that is not converted to steam from the preceding flash chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J L Hutchinson
- 👤 Douglas H Cortez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:07
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B1/00; B; B01; B01D; B01D3/00; B01D3/06; B01D3/065; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S159/00; Y10S159/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by brine to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the brine through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the steam from each flash chamber through an associated heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by brine to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the brine through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the steam from each flash chamber through an associated heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the working fluid is given sufficient superheat to avoid condensation in a prime mover having at least 75% conversion efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the working fluid has a specific heat as a vapor that is at least 50% of the specific heat as a liquid over the same temperature range under the operating pressures of the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the temperature range may be between 100*F. and 250*F. with the higher temperature of the range being the maximum temperature of the working fluid at the output of the gas expansion device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the additional step of: passing the working fluid as a liquid in heat exchange relationship with the expanded working fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the additional step of: removing from one or more and at least the highest temperature heat exchanger up to 100% of the non-condensible gases carried in the steam in the heat exchanger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the additional step of: recovering the distilled water at the output of one or more of the heat exchangers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the further step of combining, at the input to lower temperature heat exchangers, the condensate from the preceding heat exchanger and the steam from the associated flash chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the further step of combining, at the input to lower temperature flash chambers, the condensate from the heat exchanger associated with the next higher temperature flash chamber and the unflashed fluid from the next higher temperature flash chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
Method of utilizing the heat in fluid from a geothermal well where the fluid may contain fixed gases and salts and other minerals dissolved therein to produce useful power comprising the steps of: passing the fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the steam from each flash chamber in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
Method of utilizing the heat in fluid from a geothermal well where the fluid may contain fixed gases and salts and other minerals dissolved therein to produce useful power comprising the steps of: passing the fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the steam from each flash chamber in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further steps of: condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least the devices for heat exchanging, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further step of: removing from one or more and at least the highest temperature heat exchanger up to 100% of the non-condensible gases carried in the steam in the heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further step of: combining at the input to the next lower temperature heat exchanger the condensate at the output of the next higher temperature heat exchanger with the steam from the next lower temperature flash chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further step of: combining at the input to the next flash chamber the condensate at the output of each hEat exchanger with the fluid at the output of the flash chamber from which the condensate originated.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures with at least one chamber operating above atmospheric pressure and at least one chamber operating below atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures with at least one chamber operating above atmospheric pressure and at least one chamber operating below atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein or particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating below atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein or particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating below atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; and expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 16 comprising the further step of: recovering the particulate matter at the output of each flash chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method in accordance with claim 16 comprising the further step of: recovering the particulate matter from the flash chamber operating at the lowest temperature and pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method in accordance with claim 16 comprising the further step of: removing any fixed gases in the hot fluid at the output of at least the heat exchanger operating at the highest temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 19 comprising the further step of passing the recovered fixed gases through a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; and circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein or particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat excHanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and recovering the particulate matter at the output of each flash chamber.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein or particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat excHanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and recovering the particulate matter at the output of each flash chamber.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and recovering the particulate matter from the flash chamber operating at the lowest temperature and pressure.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having salts and/or other minerals dissolved therein as particulate matter through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and recovering the particulate matter from the flash chamber operating at the lowest temperature and pressure.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having fixed gases therein to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having fixed gases therein through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and removing the fixed gases in the hot fluid at the output of at least the heat exchanger operating at the highest temperature.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of converting heat energy carried by a hot fluid having fixed gases therein to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: passing the hot fluid having fixed gases therein through two or more flash chambers in succession, the successive flash chambers operating at progressively lower temperatures and pressures, with at least one flash chamber operating above atmospheric pressure; passing the gas from each flash chamber through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a working fluid to superheat the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in a power extracting gas expansion device; condensing the working fluid after expansion; circulating the working fluid in a closed loop including at least devices for heat exchange, gas expansion and fluid condensing; and removing the fixed gases in the hot fluid at the output of at least the heat exchanger operating at the highest temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 25 comprising the further step of passing the recovered fixed gases through a power extracting gas expansion device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the working fluid is a mixture of substances.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the further step of maintaining the pressure of the working fluid at the input to the power extracting gas expansion device above the critical pressure of the working fluid.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the working fluid is a mixture of substances.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 comprising the further step of maintaining the pressure of the working fluid at the input to the power extracting gas expansion device above the critical pressure of the working fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3605403A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |