Vapor generator with preheater and method of operating same
AssigneeGoodfield Energy Corporation
InventorAldon R. Reinhardt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An efficient high-temperature water vapor generator includes a combustion chamber and a surrounding structure, wherein a cavity is located therebetween. Water is pumped into the cavity at a location near a first end of the combustion chamber. Water is removed from the cavity at a location near a second end of the combustion chamber, opposite the first end. The water removed from the cavity is injected into the combustion chamber at a location near the first end. Fuel and air are also introduced into the combustion chamber at the first end. The fuel and air are ignited near the first end of the combustion chamber, thereby creating high-temperature water vapor, and pre-heating the water in the cavity surrounding the combustion chamber.
Claims20
A vapor generator comprising:
- a combustion chamber having a first end and a second end, located opposite the first end;
- means for initiating combustion at the first end of the combustion chamber;
- an outer structure surrounding the combustion chamber, wherein a cavity is located between the combustion chamber and the outer structure;
- a water inlet located at the outer structure adjacent to the first end of the combustion chamber, wherein the water inlet is configured to receive water into the cavity;
- a water outlet located at the outer structure adjacent to the second end of the combustion chamber, wherein the water outlet is configured to receive water from the cavity;
- a water injection element configured to introduce water into the combustion chamber at a location adjacent to the first end of the combustion chamber;
- and
- a water conduit coupling the water outlet to the water injection element, wherein the water conduit is configured to transfer water from the cavity to the water injector element.
A method of generating water vapor, comprising:
- introducing water to a cavity that surrounds a combustion chamber, wherein the water is introduced at a location adjacent to a first end of the combustion chamber;
- removing water from the cavity at a location adjacent to a second end of the combustion chamber, opposite the first end;
- routing the water removed from the cavity into the combustion chamber at a location adjacent to the first end of the combustion chamber;
- introducing fuel and air into the combustion chamber at the first end;
- igniting the fuel and air, thereby heating the water in the combustion chamber to create water vapor, and pre-heating the water in the cavity surrounding the combustion chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.