Samuel G Woinsky

43241026, Apr 13, 1982

Sep 19, 1979

6/076677

Samuel G. Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

F03G 700

606413

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a hydrocarbon working fluid, e. g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated at or above the critical pressure of the working fluid, and the hot brine or hot water feed being at a temperature at or above the critical temperature of the working fluid. 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 vapor 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.

40891755, May 16, 1978

Jun 23, 1975

5/611310

Samuel G. Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Petroleum Corporation - Los Angeles CA

F03G 700

60641

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e. g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. 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 vapor 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.

42133025, Jul 22, 1980

Sep 26, 1977

5/836293

Samuel G. Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Petroleum Corporation - Los Angeles CA

F03G 700

60641

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e. g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, preferably close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. 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 vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Water from the accumulator can be fed to an H. sub. 2 S removal system where good quality water can be recovered.

43410774, Jul 27, 1982

Oct 15, 1979

6/084537

Samuel G. Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Petroleum Corporation - Los Angeles CA

F03G 700

606413

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a hydrocarbon working fluid, e. g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated at or above the critical pressure of the working fluid, and the hot brine or hot water feed being at a temperature at or above the critical temperature of the working fluid. 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 vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Water from the accumulator can be fed to an H. sub. 2 S removal system where good quality water can be recovered.

40786757, Mar 14, 1978

Jul 14, 1976

5/705060

Samuel Gary Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Petroleum Corporation - Los Angeles CA

B01J 302

214 17B

The invention provides for an improved seal leg and method for transferring particulate solids in a non-fluidized condition from a first pressure zone to a second pressure zone while controlling the level of solids in the first pressure zone or in the seal leg. A relatively uniform pressure gradient is produced across the length of the seal leg by bleeding gas into or out of the seal leg along its length. Bleeding gas as aforesaid permits the use of a shorter seal leg and a smaller diameter seal leg for a given solids flow rate as compared to a seal leg not provided with means for bleeding gas in or out along its length. The pressure gradient along the length of a seal leg not provided with means for bleeding gas in or out along its length will be highly nonuniform resulting in retarded solids flow due to localized high pressure gradients and a low overall average pressure gradient resulting in a substantial length requirement for the seal leg to maintain a pressure seal.

42791251, Jul 21, 1981

Feb 1, 1979

6/008793

Samuel G. Woinsky - Irvine CA

Occidental Research Corporation - Irvine CA

F03G 700
F01K 2302

60641F

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources by direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a 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 vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Uncondensible gas together with working fluid losses are vented from the accumulator. In order to decrease the amount of uncondensible vent gas from the accumulator, and the loss of working fluid therein, the hot water or brine feed to the heat transfer column is initially degassed as by flashing, the extent of degassing being controlled based on the concentration of uncondensibles in such hot water or brine feed. The steam and uncondensible gas resulting from flashing is expanded in a work expander to recovery energy. The working fluid can be a compound selected from the group of aromatics, paraffins, napthenes, olefins, and ethers.