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 raw steam and hot water fluids at a temperature and pressure for production of powder from thermal energy contained both in the steam and hot water phases. The separated steam phase, containing noncondensable gases and/or scaling materials which may be detrimental to the operation of a prime mover, transfers thermal energy by condensation in a boiler to a supply of clean water which is vaporized to produce clean steam for use in the prime mover. 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 said clean steam. Both said auxiliary steam and said clean steam may be utilized together in a prime mover and condenser system for production of power. Where a hydrothermal flow contains noxious gases which contaminate the separated steam phase, after condensation of this steam such gases may be removed or dissolved in the cooled condensate and/or separated hot water phase and reinjected underground to avoid environmental pollution.