US4346560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-stage flash degaser
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1980-06-26
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2000-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A multi-stage flash degaser (18) is incorporated in an energy conversion system (10) having a direct-contact, binary-fluid heat exchanger to remove essentially all of the noncondensable gases from geothermal brine ahead of the direct-contact binary-fluid heat exchanger (22) in order that the heat exchanger (22) and a turbine (48) and condenser (32) of the system (10) can operate at optimal efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Pascal M. Rapier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0036; B01D3/00; B01D3/007; B01D3/06; B01D3/065; F; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In an energy conversion system having a direct-contact heat exchanger for transfering energy from an elevated temperature fluid, containing noncondensable gases to a working fluid, the improvement comprising means for removing the noncondensable gases from the elevated temperature fluid ahead of the heat exchanger including a flash degaser having; means for flashing into a gaseous state at least some of the elevated temperature fluid; means for condensing the gaseous state of the elevated temperature fluid; means for subcooling the noncondensable gases; means for venting said noncondensable gases; means for introducing the elevated temperature fluid into the heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; said working fluid being boiled to vapor in said flash degaser; and means for introducing said vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an energy conversion system having a direct-contact heat exchanger for transfering energy from an elevated temperature fluid, containing noncondensable gases to a working fluid, the improvement comprising means for removing the noncondensable gases from the elevated temperature fluid ahead of the heat exchanger including a flash degaser having; means for flashing into a gaseous state at least some of the elevated temperature fluid; means for condensing the gaseous state of the elevated temperature fluid; means for subcooling the noncondensable gases; means for venting said noncondensable gases; means for introducing the elevated temperature fluid into the heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; said working fluid being boiled to vapor in said flash degaser; and means for introducing said vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said condensing means includes means for directing some of said working fluid from said heat exchanger to said flash degaser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for metering a desired amount of working fluid to said flash dagaser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said venting means including a control valve means for maintaining the back pressure in said flash degaser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said degaser is multi-stage and said venting means communicate with a last stage of said degaser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including baffle means for separating said condenser means from said subcooling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevated temperature fluid includes brine and said working fluid is immiscible therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for collecting distillate from said condensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including a scrubber located in said heat exchanger and means for introducing said distillate into said scrubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flash degaser is multi-stage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one stage includes subcooling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each stage includes said subcooling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including ratio control means responsive to the condition of working fluid flowing to the heat exchanger for modulating the flow of working fluid to the condensing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including ratio control means responsive to the condition of the elevated temperature fluid entering the flash degaser for modulating the flow of working fluid to the condensing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an energy conversion system including a heat exchanger for transferring energy from an elevated temperature fluid, containing noncondensable gases, to a working fluid, the improvement comprising flash degaser means for removing the noncondensable gases from the elevated temperature fluid ahead of the heat exchanger including: means for flashing the elevated temperature fluid; means for condensing the flashed elevated temperature fluid; means for subcooling the noncondensable gases; means for venting the noncondensable gases; means for introducing the elevated temperature fluid into the heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; said working fluid being boiled to vapor in said flash degaser; and means for introducing said vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an energy conversion system including a heat exchanger for transferring energy from an elevated temperature fluid, containing noncondensable gases, to a working fluid, the improvement comprising flash degaser means for removing the noncondensable gases from the elevated temperature fluid ahead of the heat exchanger including: means for flashing the elevated temperature fluid; means for condensing the flashed elevated temperature fluid; means for subcooling the noncondensable gases; means for venting the noncondensable gases; means for introducing the elevated temperature fluid into the heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; said working fluid being boiled to vapor in said flash degaser; and means for introducing said vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said heat exchanger is a flash tank.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for removing noncondensable gases from an elevated temperature fluid preparatory to introducing the elevated temperature fluid into a direct-contact heat exchanger for transfering energy from the elevated temperature fluid to a working fluid including the steps of: flashing into a gaseous state in a flash degaser at least some of the elevated temperature fluid; condensing the flashed elevated temperature fluid in the flash degaser; subcooling the noncondensable gases; venting the noncondensable gases; introducing the elevated temperature fluid into heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; boiling said working fluid to vapor in the flash degaser; and introducing the vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for removing noncondensable gases from an elevated temperature fluid preparatory to introducing the elevated temperature fluid into a direct-contact heat exchanger for transfering energy from the elevated temperature fluid to a working fluid including the steps of: flashing into a gaseous state in a flash degaser at least some of the elevated temperature fluid; condensing the flashed elevated temperature fluid in the flash degaser; subcooling the noncondensable gases; venting the noncondensable gases; introducing the elevated temperature fluid into heat exchanger to transfer energy to said working fluid; boiling said working fluid to vapor in the flash degaser; and introducing the vaporized working fluid into said heat exchanger.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the condensing step include the step of diverting some of the working fluid from the heat exchanger to the flash degaser to condense the flashed elevated temperature fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said direct-contact heat exchanger includes a flash tank, including the step of introducing the elevated temperature fluid into the flash tank.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of regulating the flow of working fluid to said flash degaser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 including the steps of maintaining the back pressure in said flash degaser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of collecting distillate from said condensing step.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said flashing step includes flashing the elevated temperature fluid in a multi-flash degaser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of: modulating the flow of working fluid to the flash degaser responsive to the condition of the working fluid flowing to the heat exchanger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of: modulating the flow of working fluid to the flash degaser responsive to the condition of the elevated temperature fluid entering the flash degaser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |