US4026111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of removing dissolved non-condensibles from geothermal brines
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1976-02-03
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1996-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Heat energy is more efficiently recovered from geothermal brines by preflashing the brine to remove dissolved, non-condensible gases before flashing the brine to produce motive steam. Power requirements for removal of non-condensibles from turbine exhausts (in order to maintain adequately low exhaust pressures) are obviated. The heat content of the pre-flashed vapors may be largely utilized for superheating and reheating the motive steam.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Thomas Matthews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:41
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K3/00; F01K3/18; F01K3/26; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An improved method of driving a turbine with motive steam produced from a hot brine which contains non-condensible gases, said improvement comprising: (a) preflashing said brine to produce a hot vapor phase enriched in said gases and a hot liquid phase depleted therein, (b) producing said motive steam by flashing said hot liquid phase, and (c) driving said turbine solely with said motive steam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An improved method of driving a turbine with motive steam produced from a hot brine which contains non-condensible gases, said improvement comprising: (a) preflashing said brine to produce a hot vapor phase enriched in said gases and a hot liquid phase depleted therein, (b) producing said motive steam by flashing said hot liquid phase, and (c) driving said turbine solely with said motive steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 in which the content of non-condensibles in said hot liquid phase is reduced below a preselected level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 in which said hot vapor phase is used to superheat said motive steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 in which said hot vapor phase is also used to reheat the motive steam as it passes from stage to stage of a multi-stage turbine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |