Geothermal energy system heat exchanger and control apparatus

Claim 1

In geothermal deep well pump apparatus of the kind including deep well pump means for pumping a geothermal fluid always in liquid state for flow in cooperative energy-exchanging relation with respect to a second fluid: injection conduit means for conveying said second fluid in liquid state from a station adjacent the earth's surface at a pressure above the pressure of said geothermal fluid, first discrete heat exchanger means responsive to said geothermal fluid for converting a first portion of said second fluid into its vapor, motive means coupled to said deep well pump means utilizing energy of said vapor for pumping said geothermal fluid, thereby cooling said vapor, second discrete heat exchanger means responsive to said cooled vapor for cooling a second portion of said second fluid, said motive means utilizing said cooled second portion of said second fluid for lubricating bearings thereof while in liquid state, vapor conduit means disposed generally concentrically about said injection conduit means for transfer of said cooled vapor to said station adjacent the earth's surface, geothermal fluid conduit means disposed generally concentrically about said vapor conduit means for transfer of said geothermal fluid to said station adjacent the earth's surface, and vapor expansion diffuser means disposed within said cooled vapor in said vapor conduit means between said motive means and said second discrete heat exchanger means, said motive means, said vapor expansion means, and said second discrete heat exchanger means being disposed in immediate successive axial relation along said vapor conduit means, said vapor expansion diffuser means cooperating in cooling said second fluid, and said vapor expansion diffuser means being supported adjacent said motive means by radial vanes extending from said vapor conduit means inner surface, said vanes additionally providing reduced rotation of said cooled vapor at said vapor expansion diffuser means.