Patent US3760868A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3760868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposal of waste heat
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
•
Filing: 1971-01-28
•
Granted: 1973-09-25
•
Expires: 1991-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An urban domestic water distribution system and its associated ground mass is used as a heat sink for waste heat produced by industrial processes. A domestic water stream is utilized as cooling water for waste heat-producing processes and is thereafter introduced into the distribution system.
Inventors
- 👤 A Cywin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:55
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K17/00; F01K17/04; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A process for reducing thermal pollution of surface waters which comprises: a. extracting waste heat from an industrial process by passing a relatively cold water stream in indirect contact heat exchange with a hotter process stream to thereby cool the process stream and warm the water stream, said water stream consisting of a potable, domestic water stream; b. passing the warmed domestic water stream into a domestic water distribution system which comprises a substantial length of underground mains and laterals, and c. discharging by indirect heat exchange at least a portion of the extracted waste process heat to the soil mass surrounding the mains and laterals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for reducing thermal pollution of surface waters which comprises: a. extracting waste heat from an industrial process by passing a relatively cold water stream in indirect contact heat exchange with a hotter process stream to thereby cool the process stream and warm the water stream, said water stream consisting of a potable, domestic water stream; b. passing the warmed domestic water stream into a domestic water distribution system which comprises a substantial length of underground mains and laterals, and c. discharging by indirect heat exchange at least a portion of the extracted waste process heat to the soil mass surrounding the mains and laterals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the industrial process is thermal power generation and wherein the hotter process stream is low pressure turbine exhaust steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3470943A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |