Efficient methods for operation with high pressure liquids
AssigneeEnergy Recovery, Inc.
InventorsGonzalo G. PIQUE, Richard L. STOVER, Jeremy MARTIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for more efficiently carrying out various operations through the use of pressure transfer between streams. The methods are applicable for use in conjunction with a wide range of processes including precipitation reactors (19), subterranean space (49) temperature control systems and exothermic chemical processors (71). Rotary isobaric pressure exchange units (29,55,81) are preferably employed.
Claims20
A method for efficiently effecting high pressure precipitation, which method comprises the steps of:
- (a) supplying a feedstream having dissolved solutes or colloidal suspensions,
- (b) raising the pressure of said feedstream to at least about 500 psi (35 bar),
- (c) transferring said high pressure stream of step (b) to a reactor,
- (d) treating said high pressure stream in said reactor to cause precipitates to form,
- (e) withdrawing a solute-depleted or colloidal suspension depleted stream from said reactor while maintaining the high pressure therein by exchanging said high-pressure of said stream being removed with the feedstream being supplied in step (a) to accomplish a major part of said pressurizing of step (b) and
- (f) separating said precipitates from said high pressure liquid.
A method of efficiently delivering water to a subterranean mine and retrieving it to the surface, which method comprises the steps of:
- providing a source of liquid,
- effecting gravity flow of a descending stream of said liquid into a mine requiring cooling at least 1000 feet (305 meters) below,
- reducing the pressure of said liquid stream to about atmospheric pressure,
- utilizing said atmospheric pressure liquid stream in the mine,
- increasing the pressure of the used liquid stream by exchanging its pressure with that of the down-flowing liquid stream, and
- returning said repressurized used liquid stream to the surface.
A method of efficiently adjusting the temperature of a high pressure stream, which method comprises the steps of:
- providing a first stream of high pressure liquid of at least about 500 psi (34 bar), which is desired to be heated or cooled while retaining substantially the same pressure,
- flowing said first high-temperature liquid stream through a heat-exchanger designed for low pressure operation where it either (1) rejects heat directly into a cooler fluid in order to cool said first stream and produce a second cooler liquid stream having a temperature at least about 50° F. (10° C.) lower, or (2) absorbs heat from a warmer fluid in order to heat said first stream and produce a second warmer stream having a temperature at least about 50° F. (10° C.) higher,
- prior to its entry into the heat-exchanger, exchanging the high pressure of said first liquid stream with the second liquid stream exiting from the heat exchanger to produce a depressurized first liquid stream and a repressurized second liquid stream, and
- returning said repressurized second liquid stream to said reactor at about the pressure at which said first stream exited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.