System for producing steam and mechanical energy from a hydrothermal flow

Abstract

A two-phase hydrothermal flow, e.g. from a geothermal source, is separated and provides steam at a desired pressure for production of power both from the steam phase and from thermal energy contained in the hot water phase. The separated hot water phase is processed in a heat conversion system which extracts sensible heat and produces from a portion thereof auxiliary steam at least at the vapor pressure of the hot water, and this auxiliary steam may be utilized either separately or together with said separated steam phase in a prime mover and condenser system for production of power. Where a geothermal hydrothermal flow contains noxious noncondensable gases which contaminate the steam phase, after condensation of the steam such gases may be withdrawn from the condenser and dissolved in the cooled hot water phase and reinjected underground to avoid environmental pollution.