METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATION OF VAPOUR FOR USE IN AN INDUSTRIAL PROCESS

• Main Authors: BENT DAVID, DAVIES KEITH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Korean
• Published: 26.02.2014
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; RANGES; SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; STEAM BOILERS; STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ENGINES; STEAM GENERATION; VENTILATING; WEAPONS

A method of generating steam for use in an industrial process is disclosed. The industrial process may for example be power generation or desalination. The method comprises: (a) pressurising a working fluid liquid comprising water to a first pressure; (b) heating the working fluid liquid to a temperature substantially equal to the saturation temperature of the working fluid liquid at the first pressure; and (c) flash evaporating the working fluid liquid to generate steam. The pressurised working fluid liquid is heated in step (b) by direct heating in a solar radiation absorption device. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating steam for use in an industrial process. The apparatus comprises a pump (32) for pressurising a working fluid liquid comprising water to a first pressure; a heating unit (34) downstream of the pump (32) for heating the working fluid liquid to a temperature substantially equal to the saturation temperature of the working fluid liquid at the first pressure; and a cooperating throttle valve (36) and flash tank (38) downstream of the heating unit (34) for flash evaporating the working fluid liquid to generate steam. The heating unit (34l ) comprises a solar radiation absorption device for direct heating of the pressurised working fluid.