US4502285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Silica stabilization and reinjection for geothermal method and apparatus
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1983-06-22
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Granted: 1985-03-05
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Expires: 2003-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for disposal of spent brine after the energy and mineral values have been extracted from the brine, taking advantage of the basic thermodynamic properties of suspended and dissolved scalars in geothermal fluids. A controlled portion of the extracted steam energy value from the brine is used to reheat spent brine before reinjection. The spent brine thereby ceases to be supersaturated with respect to solids, and stabilized silicas therein do not precipitate out and deposit themselves upon the entrance of a reinjection well. Means for using a controlled portion of the extracted steam energy from a plurality of serially connected flasher reactors is shown.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon Awerbuch
- 👤 Alfred N. Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:15
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a system for processing fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure, having dissolved and suspended solids therein, and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, apparatus comprising: a reactor for receiving a flow of the fluid from a subterranean location; means in the reactor for extracting the vapor fraction; means coupled with the reactor for directing the separated liquid fraction out of the reactor; and heating means cooperating with said liquid directing means and said vapor extracting means for using a controlled portion of the energy value in the extracted vapor fraction to heat the separated liquid fraction; thereby stabilizing the dissolved and suspended solids in the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system for processing fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure, having dissolved and suspended solids therein, and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, apparatus comprising: a reactor for receiving a flow of the fluid from a subterranean location; means in the reactor for extracting the vapor fraction; means coupled with the reactor for directing the separated liquid fraction out of the reactor; and heating means cooperating with said liquid directing means and said vapor extracting means for using a controlled portion of the energy value in the extracted vapor fraction to heat the separated liquid fraction; thereby stabilizing the dissolved and suspended solids in the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating means includes means for injecting a controlled portion of the extracted vapor fraction into the separated liquid fraction, whereby the injected vapor condenses in the liquid fraction, thereby raising its temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating means includes heat exchange means for transferring heat from the extracted vapor fraction to the separated liquid fraction through a heat conductive nonpermeable membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the heat exchange means includes tubular means wherein the separated liquid fraction passes through the tubular means while the extracted vapor fraction condenses on the outside of said tubular means, thereby transmitting its heat of condensation to the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said reactor comprises a first flasher-reactor for receiving the flow of fluid from a subterranean location and for extracting the vapor fraction; and at least one additional flasher-reactor, each additional flasher-reactor receiving the separated liquid fraction from a previous flasher-reactor; wherein said heating means is coupled to the liquid directing means coupled to the last sequential flasher-reactor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as in claim 5 further including mixing means coupled to the heating means for combining a controlled portion of the extracted vapor fraction for a first flasher-reactor and at least a portion of the extracted vapor fraction from a second flasher-reactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as in claim 6 further including steam-actuated work-producing apparatus, and means for diverting a fraction of the combined vapor fraction produced by the vapor mixing means to the steam-actuated work-producing apparatus for recovering useful work from the diverted vapor fraction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said steam-actuated work-producing apparatus comprises a turbine coupled to an electrical generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said mixing means includes thermocompression means for compressing and heating at least a portion of the extracted vapor fraction of a second flasher-reactor with at least a portion of the extracted vapor fraction from a first flasher-reactor, wherein the first flasher-reactor has a hotter flash temperature than the second flasher-reactor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said heating means includes tubular means wherein the separated liquid fraction passes through the tubular means while the extracted vapor fraction condenses on the outside of said tubular means, thereby transmitting its heat of condensation to the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said heating means includes means for injecting a controlled portion of the extracted vapor fraction into the separated liquid fraction, whereby the injected vapor condenses in the liquid fraction, thereby raising its temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said thermocompression means includes a Venturi-shaped tubular member having a first inlet at one end coupled to the vapor extracting means of a first flasher-reactor, a second inlet close to the Venturi throat of said tubular member and coupled to the vapor extracting means of a second flasher-reactor, and an outlet coupled to said heating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said mixing means includes mechanical compressor means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of processing a fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure having dissolved and suspended solids therein and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, the steps of the method comprising: (a) separating the vapor fraction from said fluid thereby lowering the temperature of the fluid and causing the fluid to become supersaturated with respect to the solids therein, (b) removing a portion of the solids from the fluid thereby reducing the supersaturation of the fluid with respect to the solids therein; and (c) reheating the separated liquid fraction by using the thermal energy from a controlled portion of the separated vapor fraction, thereby stabilizing the dissolved and suspended solids in the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of processing a fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure having dissolved and suspended solids therein and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, the steps of the method comprising: (a) separating the vapor fraction from said fluid thereby lowering the temperature of the fluid and causing the fluid to become supersaturated with respect to the solids therein, (b) removing a portion of the solids from the fluid thereby reducing the supersaturation of the fluid with respect to the solids therein; and (c) reheating the separated liquid fraction by using the thermal energy from a controlled portion of the separated vapor fraction, thereby stabilizing the dissolved and suspended solids in the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of reheating the separated liquid fraction includes injecting a controlled portion of the separated vapor fraction into the separated liquid fraction, whereby the injected vapor condenses in the liquid fraction and raises its temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of reheating the separated liquid fraction includes transferring heat from the extracted vapor fraction to the separated liquid fraction through a heat conductive nonpermeable membrane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of reheating the separated liquid fraction includes passing the separated liquid fraction through tubular means while the extracted vapor fraction condenses on the outside of said tubular means, thereby transmitting its heat of condensation to the separated liquid fraction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated in at least two serially connected flasher-reactors, the separated liquid fraction of one flasher-reactor comprising the input fluid for the next serially connected flasher-reactor, further including the step of heating and compressing a controlled portion of the vapor fraction from one flasher-reactor with at least a portion of the hotter vapor fraction from a serially upstream flasher-reactor, wherein at least a portion of the compressed vapor is used in said step (c) for reheating the separated liquid fraction of the last serially downstream flasher-reactor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein a portion of the compressed steam is used in steamactuated work-producing apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method of extracting steam from geothermal brine by causing the brine to flash and thereby separating into a steam fraction and a liquid fraction containing dissolved and suspended minerals, after all flashing steps have been performed, the step of heating said liquid fraction to stabilize said minerals in said liquid fraction before said liquid fraction is returned to a receiving subterranean formation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method of extracting steam from geothermal brine by causing the brine to flash and thereby separating into a steam fraction and a liquid fraction containing dissolved and suspended minerals, after all flashing steps have been performed, the step of heating said liquid fraction to stabilize said minerals in said liquid fraction before said liquid fraction is returned to a receiving subterranean formation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a method as set forth in claim 20, wherein heat from said steam fraction is used to elevate the temperature of said liquid fraction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a system for processing fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure, having dissolved and suspended solids therein, and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, apparatus comprising: means defining a chamber for receiving said fluid; means within said chamber for extracting the vapor fraction therefrom, thereby leaving the separated liquid fraction with a decreased solids saturation level; means for directing said vapor and liquid fractions out of said chamber; and means for heating said liquid fraction, thereby increasing its solids saturation level and stabilizing the solids in said liquid fraction, and for immediately thereafter returning the entire liquid fraction to a receiving subterranean formation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a system for processing fluid from a subterranean location with the fluid having an elevated temperature and pressure, having dissolved and suspended solids therein, and capable of being separated into solid, liquid and vapor fractions, apparatus comprising: means defining a chamber for receiving said fluid; means within said chamber for extracting the vapor fraction therefrom, thereby leaving the separated liquid fraction with a decreased solids saturation level; means for directing said vapor and liquid fractions out of said chamber; and means for heating said liquid fraction, thereby increasing its solids saturation level and stabilizing the solids in said liquid fraction, and for immediately thereafter returning the entire liquid fraction to a receiving subterranean formation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparataus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said heating means includes means for heating said liquid fraction with heat from said vapor fraction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5543209A
Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-04 | 1988-09-03 | 1989-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-04 | 1992-09-03 | 1993-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-09-03 | 1997-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |