Method and apparatus integrating water treatment and electrical power production

A process for recovering waste water while producing electrical power comprising:

• supplying steam to a turbine driven electrical power generation station including discharging steam from said turbine;
• sequentially charging individual ones of a plurality of thermally insulated water holding tanks with said waste water;
• sequentially directing said discharged steam from said turbine into individual ones of said holding tanks to heat said waste water therein to sterilizing temperatures which temperatures are below the boiling point of said water;
• holding said heated water in each of said tanks at said temperatures for a period of time sufficient to sterilize said heated water in liquid condition;
• sequentially withdrawing sterilized liquid water from said holding tanks following said holding period;
• and
• continuously repeating said sequential charging, heating, holding and liquid water withdrawal at said holding tanks.

A process for simultaneously producing electrical power and sterilizing water for distribution to a utility water system comprising:

• generating said electrical power by producing steam in a boiler and directing said steam to a turbine driven generator;
• directing a flow of said water through a conduit which passes in proximity to said turbine driven generator;
• directing discharge steam from said turbine into heat exchanging relationship with said water while maintaining said steam in a separate flow path from that of said water to heat said water to sterilizing temperatures below the boiling point of said water while condensing said steam to condensate;
• returning said condensate to said boiler, and
• maintaining said water in liquid condition at said sterilizing temperatures for a period of time sufficient to sterilize said water, said step of maintaining said water at said sterilizing temperatures being accomplished at least in part by restricting the conduction of heat away from said water.

A process for simultaneously producing electrical power and sterilizing and reclaiming waste water utilizing the energy of steam from a steam well comprising:

• utilizing a portion of the energy of said steam to pump said waste water upwardly to an elevated location;
• utilizing another portion of the energy of said steam to heat said waste water to sterilizing temperatures below the boiling point of said waste water;
• maintaining said waste water in liquid condition at said temperatures for a period sufficient to accomplish sterilization thereof, the step of maintaining said waste water at said sterilizing temperatures being accomplished at least in part by restricting the conduction of heat away from said waste water;
• and
• returning said sterilized waste water to a lower location through hydroelectric power generation means.

Apparatus integrating the production of electrical power and water treatment comprising:

• a source of steam;
• power generation means for converting a first portion of the energy content of steam from said source to electrical energy;
• conduit means for carrying unsterilized water into proximity to said power generation means;
• means for utilizing another portion of the energy content of said steam to heat said unsterilized water to sterilizing temperatures which are below the boiling point of said water, and
• thermally insulative containment means for maintaining said water in liquid condition at said temperatures for a period of time sufficient to destroy living organisms therein.

Apparatus for producing electrical power while recovering waste water, utilizing steam from at least one steam well, comprising:

• an electrical power generation station having at least one turbine driving at least one electrical generator and having means for transmitting steam from said steam well to said turbine and for transmitting discharged steam therefrom;
• means for bringing said waste water into proximity to said electrical power generation station;
• and
• means for injecting discharge steam from said power generation station directly into said waste water to heat said water to sterilizing temperatures below the boiling point of said water while condensing said steam;
• and
• thermally insulative means for holding said water at said temperatures in liquid form for a period sufficient to sterilize said water.

Apparatus combining the production of electrical power and the sterilization of water for a utility water distribution system comprising:

• an electrical power generation station having at least one steam turbine driving at least one electrical generator and having a least one boiler for producing steam to drive said turbine;
• water conduit means for bringing unsterilized water into proximity to said power generation station, said water conduit means having thermally insulative containment means for maintaining said water in liquid condition at sterilizing temperatures for a period of time sufficient to destroy living organisms therein;
• heat exchange means disposed in said water conduit means and having a steam inlet and a steam condensate outlet;
• a first steam pipe connected between said turbine and said heat exchange means for transmitting discharge steam from said turbine to said inlet of said heat exchange means for heating said water to sterilizing temperatures which are below the boiling point of said water;
• and
• means for returning condensate from said outlet of said heat exchange means to said boiler.

Apparatus for producing electrical power from energy derived from a steam well and for sterilizing water for delivery to a water distribution system comprising:

• a hydroelectric power generating station having at least one turbine driving at least one electrical generator;
• pumping and sterilizing means utilizing a first portion of the energy of said steam to lift water to an elevated location above said hydroelectric station and utilizing another portion of the energy content of said steam to heat said water to sterilizing temperatures which are below the boiling point of said water;
• thermally insulative containment means for maintaining said water in liquid condition at said temperatures for a period of time sufficient to destroy living organisms therein;
• and
• means for directing said water from said elevated location to said hydroelectric station to drive said turbine.