US4534174A — Geothermal reboiler apparatus and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 115 words

Apparatus for handling geothermal brine capable of being flashed to form a vapor fraction containing steam and a non-condensible gas comprising: a direct contact reboiler; means coupled with the reboiler for directing the vapor fraction of flashed geothermal brine into the reboiler; means coupled with the reboiler for directing a condensate into the reboiler and into counter current flow relationship with the vapor fraction, whereby the condensate is heated by the vapor fraction and the steam is condensed and separated from the non-condensible gas; and means for coupling the reboiler to a work producing apparatus to permit the heated condensate from the reboiler to be directed toward said work producing apparatus for actuating the latter.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 115 words

Apparatus for handling geothermal brine capable of being flashed to form a vapor fraction containing steam and a non-condensible gas comprising: a direct contact reboiler; means coupled with the reboiler for directing the vapor fraction of flashed geothermal brine into the reboiler; means coupled with the reboiler for directing a condensate into the reboiler and into counter current flow relationship with the vapor fraction, whereby the condensate is heated by the vapor fraction and the steam is condensed and separated from the non-condensible gas; and means for coupling the reboiler to a work producing apparatus to permit the heated condensate from the reboiler to be directed toward said work producing apparatus for actuating the latter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included means defining a pre-flash chamber having a fluid inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of geothermal brine and an outlet, and means coupling the outlet of the chamber with the reboiler for directing flashed geothermal brine thereto.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reboiler has a first inlet for receiving flashed geothermal brine and a second inlet for receiving said condensate, said second inlet being above the first inlet.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reboiler has a first outlet for removal of non-condensible gases therefrom and a second outlet for removal of heated condensate therefrom, the second outlet being below the first outlet.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 75 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reboiler has a first inlet near the lower end of the reboiler for receiving flashed geothermal steam, a second inlet near the upper end of the reboiler for receiving condensate, a first outlet near the upper end thereof for directing a non-condensible gas out of the reboiler, and a second outlet near the lower end of the reboiler for directing heated condensate out of the reboiler.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a flash chamber, said coupling means coupling the flash chamber with the reboiler for directing condensate into the flash chamber, whereby the condensate will flash to produce clean steam which can be used for driving a work producing device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein is included a second flash chamber coupled in series relationship to the first flash chamber for receiving condensate therefrom, whereby condensate flashed in the second chamber can be turned into pure steam for use in operating a work producing apparatus.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein is included means for directing make-up water into one of the flash chambers.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second flash chamber has means for directing blowdown material out of the same.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein is included means for directing the condensate from the second chamber to the reboiler.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reboiler has packing, perforated trays and bubble cups to provide countercurrent contact between condensate and vapor fraction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reboiler is a spray tower.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein is included means for directing chemical additives into the system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included means coupled with the reboiler for directing a different fluid into the reboiler and into countercurrent relationship with the vapor fraction and non-condensible gas.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 121 words

A method of handling a geothermal brine capable of being flashed to form a vapor fraction including steam and a non-condensible gas comprising: flashing geothermal brine in a first zone; moving the vapor fraction of the flashed geothermal brine to a second zone spaced from the first zone and into countercurrent heat exchange relationship to a fluid to separate the steam from the non-condensible gas and to heat the fluid; flashing the heated fluid in a third zone to provide pure steam and a fluid remainder; using the pure steam from the third zone for driving a work producing device; and directing the fluid remainder to said second zone for heat exchange relationship to the vapor fraction from the first zone.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 121 words

A method of handling a geothermal brine capable of being flashed to form a vapor fraction including steam and a non-condensible gas comprising: flashing geothermal brine in a first zone; moving the vapor fraction of the flashed geothermal brine to a second zone spaced from the first zone and into countercurrent heat exchange relationship to a fluid to separate the steam from the non-condensible gas and to heat the fluid; flashing the heated fluid in a third zone to provide pure steam and a fluid remainder; using the pure steam from the third zone for driving a work producing device; and directing the fluid remainder to said second zone for heat exchange relationship to the vapor fraction from the first zone.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the vapor fraction and the fluid are moved in countercurrent relationship to each other.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the vapor fraction is moved upwardly and the fluid is moved donwwardly in countercurrent relationship to and in direct contact with the vapor fraction.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein is included the step of exhausting from the non-condensible gas after it has been separated from the steam.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 55 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein is included the step of moving the fluid remainder from the third zone to a fourth zone, flashing the fluid in the fourth zone to form pure steam and fluid remainder; using the pure steam from the fourth zone for driving a second work producing device.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein is included the step of inserting chemical additives into the system.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the fluid is defined as including water, condensate, brine and organic and inorganic materials.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the fluid is defined as including a solid contained in a liquid.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 63 words

A method of handling geothermal steam and non-condensible gases comprising: flashing a geothermal brine to form a vapor fraction including steam and non-condensible gases moving the vapor fraction into direct contact, countercurrent, heat exchange relationship to a fluid to separate the steam from the non-condensible gas to heat the fluid; and flashing the fluid to provide pure steam for driving a work-producing device.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 63 words

A method of handling geothermal steam and non-condensible gases comprising: flashing a geothermal brine to form a vapor fraction including steam and non-condensible gases moving the vapor fraction into direct contact, countercurrent, heat exchange relationship to a fluid to separate the steam from the non-condensible gas to heat the fluid; and flashing the fluid to provide pure steam for driving a work-producing device.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the steam can be saturated, superheated or contain moisture.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the non-condensible gas is used in a gas expander to generate additional power.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the non-condensible gas is used in an ejector for energy recovery.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the non-condensible gas is processed for hydrogen sulfide emission control.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the non-condensible gas is injected into the geothermal brine for mineral recovery or disposal.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-08-12	1989-02-11	1989-08-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-08-12	1993-02-11	1993-08-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-08-12	1997-02-11	1997-08-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Geothermal reboiler apparatus and method

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