Geothermal steam processing
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorKevin R. Kitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
As geothermal steam containing contaminants such as boron, arsenic, and mercury is passed through a turbine-condenser system, the contaminants preferentially collect in the initial condensate produced from the steam. Collecting this initially-produced condensate and segregating it from the remainder of the steam being condensed ensures that condensate produced from the remainder of the steam is contaminants-lean, preferably containing the contaminants in concentrations allowing for discharge of the contaminants-lean condensate to the environment.
Claims53
A process comprising:
- (1) introducing steam containing a water-soluble contaminant into a turbine-condenser system in which the steam is passed serially through the turbine and condenser while producing steam condensate;
- (2) removing from said system an early produced, contaminant-rich fraction of total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system, said fraction comprising at least 2 percent of the total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system;
- and
- (3) preventing at least some of said early produced, contaminant-rich fraction removed in step (2) from commingling in said turbine-condenser system with at least one other fraction of the total condensate.
A process for reducing the mass rate of a contaminant carried in a liquid stream comprising condensate recovered from a condenser of a turbine-condenser system, wherein the contaminant was originally present in steam introduced into the turbine, said process comprising
- (1) removing from said turbine-condenser system a fluid stream containing an early produced fraction comprising at least 2 percent of total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system;
- and
- (2) removing from said condenser a liquid stream comprising a later produced fraction of total condensate;
- with said early produced fraction having a higher concentration of said contaminant than said later produced fraction, and
- with said liquid stream carrying said contaminant at a total mass rate lower than if said early produced fraction had not been removed.
A process comprising:
- (1) introducing a steam containing a contaminant into the turbine of a turbine-condenser system;
- (2) withdrawing steam condensate from the turbine, said steam condensate comprising at least 2% but less than 15% of the total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system but containing more than 25% of said contaminant;
- and
- (3) maintaining at least some steam condensate withdrawn in step (2) separate and apart from at least some steam condensate being produced in the condenser of the turbine-condenser system.
A process comprising:
- (1) introducing a steam containing a contaminant into a multi-stage turbine of a turbine-condenser system;
- (2) withdrawing a fluid stream comprising steam and steam condensate from the turbine before the final stage thereof;
- (3) separating at least some of said withdrawn steam condensate from said withdrawn steam;
- (4) condensing at least some steam exhausted from the final stage of the turbine in the condenser of the turbine-condenser system;
- and
- (5) segregating a substantial proportion of said steam condensate separated in step (3) from the condensate in the condenser of the turbine-condenser system,
- wherein said steam condensate withdrawn with said fluid stream in step (2) constitutes at least 2 percent of total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system.
A process comprising:
- (1) introducing oxygen-free steam into a turbine-condenser system;
- (2) collecting oxygen-free moisture from turbine exhaust between the turbine and condenser of said turbine-condenser system;
- and
- (3) directing said oxygen-free moisture to a location external to said turbine-condenser system.
A process comprising:
- (1) introducing steam containing one or more water-soluble contaminants and one or more non-condensable gases into a turbine of a turbine-condenser system;
- (2) withdrawing from said turbine prior to the final stage thereof steam containing (a) moisture, said moisture being rich in at least one of said contaminants, and (b) at least some of said one or more non-condensable gases;
- (3) separating said moisture from said steam;
- (4) separately recovering from step (3) a liquid comprising said moisture and steam containing said one or more non-condensable gases;
- (5) condensing in said condenser steam exhausted from said turbine to produce a steam condensate contaminant-lean as compared to said moisture;
- and
- (6) removing from said condenser one or more non-condensable gases by means including a steam ejector employing steam recovered in step (4).
A continuous process comprising:
- (1) continuously adding liquid water to superheated steam introduced into a turbine of a turbine-condenser system, said superheated steam containing a contaminant;
- (2) removing from said system a liquid comprising an early-produced, contaminant-rich fraction of total condensate produced in said turbine-condenser system, said fraction containing at least some moisture produced in said turbine;
- and
- (3) segregating at least some of said liquid removed in step (2) from said turbine-condenser system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.