Abstract: A system comprises a production well having an inlet in fluid communication with an underground reservoir, wherein the reservoir is at a first temperature and contains a native aqueous solution, a working fluid withdrawn from the reservoir into the inlet and through the production well. The working fluid comprises a non-water component and an aqueous component comprising a portion of the aqueous solution. The system further comprises a separation apparatus in communication with the production well configured to separate the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid, wherein the aqueous component is from more than 0 wt. % to no more than a specified threshold of the dewatered working fluid. The system also includes an energy recovery system that comprises an expansion device through which the dewatered working fluid passes and produces work energy and a generator that converts the work energy to electricity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating electricity from fluid produced from a subsurface formation. The disclosed systems and methods include generating electrical power using the energy content of fluids produced from the earth or hot fluids created during surface processing of the produced fluids. Fluid is obtained from a well in the subsurface formation and provided to a first power generation device where a pressure and a temperature of the fluid is adjusted to a pressure and a temperature compatible with the first power generation device using one or more valves coupled to the first power generation device. The first power generation device generates electricity from the fluid. One or more second power generation devices also generate electricity using the fluid where one of the second power generation devices is a thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A condenser includes heat transfer pipe groups, a main body and an intermediate body. The intermediate body has an inlet that opens in a horizontal direction, and an outlet that opens downward. The main body has an inlet that opens upward and is connected to the intermediate body outlet. The heat transfer pipe groups are arranged in the horizontal direction and disposed in the main body. A near-side outlet edge is an edge of the intermediate body outlet on a side near the intermediate body inlet in the horizontal direction and a far-side outlet edge is an edge of the intermediate body outlet on a side far from the intermediate body inlet. At least one part of the main body is located below an imaginary line that connects the near-side and far-side outlet edges and at least one part of the main body is located above the imaginary line.

Abstract: A multi-stage product gas generation system converts a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas which may subsequently be converted into a liquid fuel or other material. One or more reactors containing bed material may be used to conduct reactions to effect the conversions. Unreacted inert feedstock contaminants present in the carbonaceous material may be separated from bed material using a portion of the product gas. A heat transfer medium collecting heat from a reaction in one stage may be applied as a reactant input in another, earlier stage.

Abstract: A flasher separates a geothermal fluid into steam and hot water. A steam turbine is driven by being supplied with the separated steam as a working medium. An evaporator is supplied with the steam from the steam turbine as a first heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a first preheater via the evaporator. A superheater is supplied with the hot water separated by the flasher as a second heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a second preheater via the superheater. A medium turbine is driven by being supplied, as a working medium, with a low-boiling-point medium having been heat-exchanged sequentially in the first preheater, the second preheater, the evaporator, and the superheater. In the evaporator and the first preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the first heating medium are heat-exchanged. In the superheater and the second preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the second heating medium are heat-exchanged.

Abstract: A binary power generation system includes: a first pressure reducing steam-liquid separator which reduces the pressure of geothermal heat source water to separate the geothermal heat source water into water steam and hot liquid water; a steam turbine which is driven by geothermal water steam; a medium turbine which is driven by medium vapor obtained by evaporating a medium liquid with the geothermal heat source water as a heat source; a condenser/evaporator which is configured to transfer the heat of the water steam discharged from the steam turbine to the medium liquid so that the water steam is condensed and the medium liquid is evaporated; and a gas cooler which leads a working medium discharged from the medium turbine to thereby cool condensed water obtained by the condenser/evaporator and separate and discharge noncondensable gas contained in the condensed water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing geothermal power using geothermal brines while producing a reduced silica and iron brine having improved injectivity. The resulting compositions include a composition with reduced silica, iron, and lithium having reduced quantity of total suspended solids.

Abstract: A binary power generation system includes: a first pressure reducing steam-liquid separator which reduces the pressure of geothermal heat source water to separate the geothermal heat source water into water steam and hot liquid water; a steam turbine which is driven by geothermal water steam; a medium turbine which is driven by medium vapor obtained by evaporating a medium liquid with the geothermal heat source water as a heat source; a condenser/evaporator which is configured to transfer the heat of the water steam discharged from the steam turbine to the medium liquid so that the water steam is condensed and the medium liquid is evaporated; and a gas cooler which leads a working medium discharged from the medium turbine to thereby cool condensed water obtained by the condenser/evaporator and separate and discharge noncondensable gas contained in the condensed water.

Abstract: A scale inhibition method for injecting an alkaline agent and a chelating agent into a fluid containing at least silica and calcium ions, and inhibiting generation of scale, includes feeding the chelating agent and the alkaline agent into piping channeling the fluid, mixing the fluid while causing the fluid to flow in a chemical-mixing part provided in the piping, and when either a pressure difference between the pressures or a flow rate difference between the rates of fluid flow at an inlet and an outlet of the chemical-mixing part exceeds a preset upper threshold, increasing the amount of the chelating agent fed, and feeding the chelating agent at an increased feed amount until the pressure difference or flow rate difference falls below a preset lower threshold.

Abstract: A solar heat boiler is provided which is capable of avoiding damage to heat transfer tubes without increasing facility cost and construction cost. The solar heat boiler includes: a low-temperature heating device by which water supplied from a water supply pump is heated by heat of sunlight; a steam-water separation device by which two-phase fluid of water and steam generated in the low-temperature heating device is separated into water and steam; a high-temperature heating device by which the steam separated by the steam-water separation device is heated by the heat of sunlight; and a circulation pump by which the water separated by the steam-water separation device is supplied to the low-temperature heating device.

Abstract: A flasher separates a geothermal fluid into steam and hot water. A steam turbine is driven by being supplied with the separated steam as a working medium. An evaporator is supplied with the steam from the steam turbine as a first heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a first preheater via the evaporator. A superheater is supplied with the hot water separated by the flasher as a second heating medium, which is thereafter supplied to a second preheater via the superheater. A medium turbine is driven by being supplied, as a working medium, with a low-boiling-point medium having been heat-exchanged sequentially in the first preheater, the second preheater, the evaporator, and the superheater. In the evaporator and the first preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the first heating medium are heat-exchanged. In the superheater and the second preheater, the low-boiling-point medium and the second heating medium are heat-exchanged.

Abstract: A method for producing power from geothermal fluid includes: separating the geothermal fluid in a flash tank into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer using heat from the geothermal vapor to produce heat-depleted geothermal vapor and vaporized motive fluid, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid in a condenser to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from the heat-depleted geothermal vapor and the geothermal brine, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided with a reflective panel assembly that is supported by a frame and pivots about a first horizontal axis. The panel assembly is configured for reflecting sunlight to a common focal point, and includes a central panel and a pair of outer panels each pivotally coupled to the central panel and configured for folding over the central panel. A collector assembly is mounted relative to the frame and pivotal about a second horizontal axis. The collector assembly is configured for collecting solar energy and includes a receiver that is positioned at the focal point. The receiver is configured for extracting energy from the reflected sunlight. The solar collector may also include a four-bar linkage assembly for supporting the panel assembly and the collector assembly during movement from a collapsed position and a partially extended position.

Abstract: This invention uses an innovative closed-loop steam cycle with a primary geothermal boiler and a recirculating arrangement to deliver a portion of the enthalpy of that produced steam as a higher temperature and pressure steam to the surface. The geothermal boiler operates at as low a pressure as needed to boil water using heat from relatively low-temperature geologic formations typically found in abandoned oil wells. This system can be deployed in such well bores to extract geothermal energy either as a stand-alone enterprise or in conjunction with tertiary oil recovery efforts. The geothermally-boiled steam provides most or all of the energy to power the process. It is the ability of this system to extract useful heat from below atmospheric boiling temperature heat sources that offers its greatest potential.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to geothermal power generation systems. The systems can comprise a first separator is in fluid communication with the geothermal fluid source, the first separator having a high pressure steam outlet and a liquid fraction outlet. A high pressure turbine is in fluid communication with the high pressure steam outlet and is coupled to a first power generator. A high pressure condenser is in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine. A low pressure separator is in fluid communication with the liquid fraction outlet of the first separator, the low pressure separator being capable of separating steam from the liquid fraction outflow and providing low pressure steam through a low pressure steam conduit. A low pressure turbine is in fluid communication with the low pressure steam conduit, the low pressure turbine being coupled to a second power generator. A main condenser is in fluid communication with the low pressure turbine.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.

Abstract: A deep well geothermal system where the bottom pressure exceeds the critical pressure for a working fluid (for water, approximately 3200 psi) at a place where the well bottom temperature is above the critical temperature of the working fluid (for water approximately 374 degrees C.). For water, this depth would typically be around 7442 feet. Three concentric pipes make up the well. The outer pipe passes working fluid to the bottom of the well. It becomes super-heated vapor and is passed up though the inner pipe to a turbine. The middle pipe typically contains a vacuum and acts as an insulator around the inner pipe. The flow of vapor out of the turbine can be cooled and condensed and returned to the outer pipe to form a closed system.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.

Abstract: Geothermal brine always contains some carbon dioxide in solution. Separating steam from geothermal brine removes the carbon dioxide, sharply increasing the pH of the brine and causing precipitation of pH sensitive minerals, including calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate and other metal silicates, clays, and metal sulfides. The binary heat exchanger in a steam-binary hybrid geothermal power plant is especially sensitive to scale deposition from flashed geothermal brine, and application of expensive scale inhibitors is required. Deposition of scale in the binary heat exchanger can be controlled by separating a small amount of gas-rich vapor from the brine before the main stage of steam separation, and combining this gas rich vapor with the flashed brine before in enters the binary heat exchanger. The carbon dioxide thus added to the brine will decrease pH, decreasing or completely blocking precipitation and deposition of pH sensitive minerals as scale.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for producing geothermal energy. The techniques include extracting geothermal energy from regions in a reservoir so as to reduce the stress in proximate regions. The geothermal energy is extracted from the proximate regions, and the extraction of geothermal energy is staged across subsequent regions in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again.

Abstract: Geothermal brine always contains some carbon dioxide in solution. Separating steam from geothermal brine removes the carbon dioxide, sharply increasing the pH of the brine and causing precipitation of pH sensitive minerals, including calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate and other metal silicates, clays, and metal sulfides. The binary heat exchanger in a steam-binary hybrid geothermal power plant is especially sensitive to scale deposition from flashed geothermal brine, and application of expensive scale inhibitors is required. Deposition of scale in the binary heat exchanger can be controlled by separating a small amount of gas-rich vapor from the brine before the main stage of steam separation, and combining this gas rich vapor with the flashed brine before in enters the binary heat exchanger. The carbon dioxide thus added to the brine will decrease pH, decreasing or completely blocking precipitation and deposition of pH sensitive minerals as scale.

Abstract: The system and method to reduce the temperature of geothermal water to increase the capacity and efficiency while decreasing the costs associated with a geothermal power plant construction uses a high efficiency steam turbine. The steam turbine lowers the high temperature geothermal resource so it can be used in parallel with an innovative low temperature Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) geothermal power plant to increase the efficiency and capacity while at the same time to reduce the costs associated with constructing the power plant because of logistics, labor and material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating water combined with power generation, wherein a desalination system is used for desalinating coastal seawater and is operationally related to a power generation system, wherein such dual purpose cogeneration facility captures the heat vapor exhausted or a steam turbine generator's condenser is replaced by the desalination plant's heat exchanger enabling such captured heat energy to reduce the energy requirements of the desalination plant, and wherein brine solution being utilized by the desalination plant is circulated from and to the substrata sea water table via supply and return wells.

Abstract: A desalinization plant and process utilizes solar radiation to produce steam from seawater which is then used to generate freshwater and electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for utilizing supercritical subsurface steam as combined supercritical thermal and hydraulic power stations at an efficiency of 50 percent, using molten bath superdeep drilling technology, a hydrofrac process, and the special properties of the supercritical subsurface steam, such as the drastic increase in the thermal capacity, reduced viscosity, and inorganic solubility. The multifunctional use of said technologies and physical properties of supercritical subsurface steam in the inventive method allows a supercritical subsurface boiler to be tapped rapidly and at a low cost at a great depth while making it possible to produce electricity, power, process steam, and heat almost anywhere at one tenth of the cost of conventional fuel technologies and comparable expenses.

Abstract: A Geothermal Canal With Hydrostatic System for Use in a Geothermal Power Plant, providing an apparatus which collects heat from hot rocks located beneath the earth's surface and transfers the heat into water to be flashed into steam for the production of electricity. This invention is for use in all locations, including those with low sub-surface temperatures and those with no near-surface thermal reservoirs.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for increasing the output of a geothermal steam turbine power plant comprising the steps of: providing a separate, additional flash separator that produces the steam for operating the non-condensable gas ejector; supplying all the geothermal steam produced by the main high-pressure flash separator to a high-pressure geothermal steam turbine; and whereby high-pressure geothermal fluid is supplied to both said separate, additional flash separator and said main high-pressure flash separator from the same production well in a pumped geothermal system.

Abstract: A new thermodynamic cycle is disclosed for converting energy from a low temperature stream from an external source into useable energy using a working fluid comprising of a mixture of a low boiling component and a high boiling component. The cycle is designed to improve the efficiency of the energy extraction process by mixing into an intermediate liquid stream an enriched liquid stream from which the energy from the external source stream is extracted in a vaporization step and converted to energy in an expansion step. The new thermodynamic process and the system for accomplishing it are especially well-suited for streams from low-temperature geothermal sources.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for increasing the output of a geothermal steam turbine power plant comprising the steps of: providing a separate, additional flash separator that produces the steam for operating the non-condensable gas ejector; supplying all the geothermal steam produced by the main high-pressure flash separator to a high-pressure geothermal steam turbine; and whereby high-pressure geothermal fluid is supplied to both said separate, additional flash separator and said main high-pressure flash separator from the same production well in a pumped geothermal system.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generating arrangement activated by elements caused to rotate by a natural energy source, includes a plurality of bristles; a plurality of piezoelectric elements in surrounding relation to and in contact with the bristles; a rotating device for providing rotation of the bristles relative to the piezoelectric elements such that the piezoelectric elements are activated to produce an output in response to engagement of the piezoelectric elements by the bristles during the rotation; and a solar activated bimetallic strip in a tube surrounded by vehicle tires, the bi-metallic strip expanding and contracting in response to solar radiation absorbed by the tires and tube and connected with a rack that meshes with a gear system that rotates the bristles.

Abstract: The emissions of hydrogen sulfide during the production of natural gas, oil or geothermal fluids from subterranean formations and the subsequent processing of these fluids is reduced by converting the hydrogen sulfide into a hydrogen halide or a halogen acid and then using the hydrogen halide or halogen acid for scale control and/or well acidizing. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen sulfide produced with geothermal fluids is converted into hydrochloric acid, which is then used to reduce pH and control scale formation during the extraction of energy from geothermal fluids in a geothermal power plant.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for utilizing geothermal fluid comprising a two-phase mixture of geothermal steam and brine produced by a production well, includes an input conduit connecting the production well with the separator which separates the geothermal fluid into high pressure geothermal steam and geothermal brine. A connecting conduit connects the separator to a geothermal power plant which produces power from the high pressure geothermal steam. The input conduit is shorter than said connecting conduit to reduce pressure losses due to two-phase flow in the input conduit. The geothermal power plant includes a topping steam turbine coupled to a generator, and a flow control mechanism for applying the high pressure geothermal steam to the topping steam turbine which is constructed and arranged to drive the generator and produce exhaust steam at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

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.

Abstract: A plant for exploiting geothermal energy by circulating water through a geological formation (1) at a substantial depth below the earth surface (2), comprises at least one supply hole (3) leading from the surface (2) down to said formation (1) and at least one return hole (4) for transporting heated water from the formation to the surface. The supply and return holes (3, 4) are interconnected by a plurality of heat absorbing holes (5) which are spaced more than 50 m apart. The heat absorbing holes (5) have a total length of many kilometers but a relatively small diameter in the order of 10 cm. A method for designing the plant involving determining the dimensions of the heat transfer holes (5) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A geothermal power plant operating on geothermal fluid includes a source of low pressure geothermal steam, and a turbo-generator including a low pressure steam turbine to which the geothermal steam is applied, and a generator coupled to the steam turbine. The low pressure geothermal steam is applied to the turbine, wherein expansion takes place driving the generator, and producing expanded steam that is exhausted from the turbine. A condenser for condensing the expanded steam includes a steam heat exchanger for receiving the expanded steam and a fan for cooling the expanded steam such that steam condensate is produced.