System and Method for Generating Steam Using a Solar Power Source in Conjunction with a Geothermal Power Source

Abstract

System and method for generating electrical power using a solar power system comprising pressurized pipes for transporting liquid water in conjunction with a geothermal power source. The pressurized pipes flow through solar collectors which concentrate light on the water flowing through the pipes. The pressurization in the pipes allows for the water to absorb large quantities of energy. The pressurized and heated water is then pumped to a heat exchanger where the thermal energy is released to produce steam for powering a steam turbine electrical generator. Thereafter, the water is returned to the solar collectors in a closed loop to repeat the process. In conjunction with the solar power system, heated water from the geothermal power source is directed through a second pipe that also traverses the heat exchanger to assist in the production of steam for powering the turbine electrical generator.

1 . A system for generating energy comprising:
 a heat exchanger for producing steam;   at least one solar collector to generate heat from light;   a first pipe containing a heat transfer fluid, a first portion of said first pipe positioned such that the heat from said solar collector may be focused on a portion of said pipe and a second portion of said pipe extending through said heat exchanger to produce steam;   a pressurizer attached to said pipe capable of pressurizing the heat transfer fluid contained in said pipe;   a geothermal power source;   a separation tank connected to said geothermal power source to separate geothermally heated water from other geothermal matter; and   a second pipe positioned between said separation tank and a water disposal site and traversing said heat exchanger, said second pipe containing geothermally heated water from said separation tank to heat said heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a steam turbine; and 
 an electrical generator; 
 wherein said heat exchanger produces steam from thermal energy stored in said heat transfer fluid in said closed loop pipe and said heated water in said second pipe; 
 wherein said steam drives said steam turbine; and 
 wherein said steam turbine powers said electrical generator to produce electricity. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat transfer fluid is water. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger comprises a steam generator vessel partially filled with water, and wherein heat from said closed loop pipe and said second pipe heats the water in said steam generator vessel to produce steam. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger comprises:
 a non-pressurized storage media vessel containing a thermal storage medium substance; and 
 a pressurized steam generator vessel partially filled with water; 
 wherein heat from said closed loop pipe and said second pipe heats the thermal storage medium substance and wherein said thermal storage medium substance heats said steam generator vessel. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said thermal storage medium substance is a salt. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 at least one thermal storage tank; and 
 a storage media loop connecting said thermal storage tank to said storage media vessel; 
 wherein said thermal storage medium substance is capable of travelling from said storage tank to said storage media vessel. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a gas dispersion pipe connected to said separation tank to distribute the geothermal matter separated from the water for suitable use. 
     
     
         10 . A method for producing pressurized steam comprising the steps of:
 a) heating a portion of a pressurized closed loop pipe containing a heat transfer fluid using at least one solar collector;   b) transporting said heat transfer fluid through said pipe to a heat exchanger;   c) obtaining geothermally heated water and any other geothermal substances from a geothermal power source;   d) separating geothermally heated water from other geothermal substances in a separation tank;   e) transporting said geothermally heated water in a second pipe through said heat exchanger; and   f) boiling water in said heat exchanger using the heat contained in said heat transfer fluid in said closed loop pipe and the water in said second pipe to produce steam.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein after step c) further comprising the step of:
 directing the other geothermal substances to a distribution pipeline for suitable use.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 directing the other geothermal substances comprised of natural gas to a storage facility. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein after step e) further comprising the step of:
 injecting the geothermally heated water from the second pipeline into a ground surface to force additional geothermally heated water and any other geothermal substances to the ground surface for further collection. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said heat transfer fluid is water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said heat exchanger comprises a steam generator vessel partially filled with water, and wherein heat from said closed loop pipe and said second pipe heats the water in said steam generator vessel to produce steam. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said heat exchanger comprises:
 a non-pressurized storage media vessel containing a thermal storage medium substance; and 
 a pressurized steam generator vessel partially filled with water; 
 wherein heat from said pipe heats the thermal storage medium substance and wherein said thermal storage medium substance heats said steam generator vessel. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said thermal storage medium substance is a salt.