System recovering energy from geothermal brines - comprises direct contact heat exchange between brine or hot water and working fluid

摘要

The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapour present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Cooled brine or water from the bottom of the heat transfer column and water from the accumulator are fed to a flashing device such as a flash drum operated at a pressure less than that in the accumulator, and the working fluid flashed off is compressed and returned to the cooler at the expander discharge, for condensation and recovery. Uncondensible gases plus working fluid losses are vented from the accumulator.