Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past an internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past in internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for disposal of spent brine after the energy and mineral values have been extracted from the brine, taking advantage of the basic thermodynamic properties of suspended and dissolved scalars in geothermal fluids. A controlled portion of the extracted steam energy value from the brine is used to reheat spent brine before reinjection. The spent brine thereby ceases to be supersaturated with respect to solids, and stabilized silicas therein do not precipitate out and deposit themselves upon the entrance of a reinjection well. Means for using a controlled portion of the extracted steam energy from a plurality of serially connected flasher reactors is shown.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improved circulation and solid fraction removal in geothermal energy recovery. Geothermal fluid is directed into an integrated flasher-crystallizer-separator reactor, used in one or more flash stages, for substantially continuous recovery of the energy values of the incoming geothermal fluid while simultaneously allowing for growth of crystals and separation of the liquid fraction of fluid from the solid fraction. The geothermal fluid flows through a vertical Venturi tube, thereby creating a low pressure area near the entrance to the tube. The low pressure area draws in the liquid containing seed crystals from the surrounding bath, thereby presenting the incoming brine with a large population of seed crystals and also promoting vigorous agitation in the reactor without the use of mechanical agitators.

Abstract: A method and product for use in controlling the deposition of silica-containing scales and their adhesion to the walls of piping and other plant components. The product is an amine to which is attached at least a pair of terminal groups. Each group is selected from the family of compounds consisting of furfuryl and a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical substituted with one or more members selected from hydroxy and carboxy, or a hydrohalide thereof. The method includes injecting the additive into saline brine or brackish water containing silica which may tend to precipitate as a scale.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using the vapor fraction of geothermal or geopressured fluid to produce useful work and for using the solid fraction of the fluid for producing minerals of commercial value while providing protection from scaling. The fluid is directed into a first chamber in which the fluid flashes to generate the vapor fraction. A circulatory flow through the first chamber occurs as a result of the flashing of the vapor fraction, causing the vapor fraction to separate from the solid and liquid fractions and allowing the vapor fraction to pass to a fluid-actuated, work-producing apparatus. The solid and liquid fractions gravitate into a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber and extending below the first chamber. The second chamber permits at least a portion of the liquid fraction to separate from the solid fraction by clarification. Crystal growth continuously occurs in the first and second chambers as the circulation of the fluid continues through the first chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of adding CO.sub.2 to softened water flowing through a series of interconnected flash chambers after the softened water has been directed out of a settler. The inlet of the settler receives preheated hard water after the hard water has passed through a series of interconnected preheating chambers, there being a preheating chamber for each flash chamber, respectively. Each preheating chamber and the corresponding flash chamber comprise a stage of a multi-stage water softening system, the preheating and flash chambers of each stage being separated by a partition defining an opening near the top portion of the stage to place the respective first and second chambers of each stage in fluid communication with each other and to allow flashed, heated water vapor from the flash chamber to pass into direct, admixing contact with cooler, hard water sprayed into the preheating chamber to preheat the hard water.

Abstract: A system using a number of flash chambers for converting the heat energy of geothermal brine to useful work. The system uses steam from flashed brine to vaporize a portion of distilled water or distillate in one or more heat exchangers to produce steam to drive a turbine which, in turn, operates a generator or the like to produce useful work. Before the distillate reaches the heat exchanger, it is preheated as it flows through a series of flash chambers in countercurrent relationship to the flow of geothermal brine therethrough. The brine flashes in each flash chamber and the flashed vapor mixes with the distillate flowing through the flash chamber to pre-heat the distillate. The heat energy of the unvaporized part of the distillate in the heat exchanger can form additional steam which is also supplied to the turbine. The heat content of the unflashed part of the distillate can be used in several ways to heat a working fluid in a closed loop containing a second turbine.

Abstract: A system for softening of water in a manner to minimize heat requirements in the water softener unit of the system. Flashed water vapor from a flash box coupled to the downstream end of the softener unit is used to preheat incoming hard feed water by directly contacting the feed water in respective preheating chambers upstream of the softener unit. The system is suitable for use in a distillation plant to produce potable water.