Steam Hammer Pump and Electrical Power Facility

Abstract

A pump uses the steam hammer effect to pump water from a reservoir into a control volume. Steam is injected into a water conduit extending between a liquid water reservoir and the control volume forms a liquid steam interface. Steam within the conduit condenses on the interface creating a region of partial vacuum. Water accelerates into the region of partial vacuum and is vented into the control volume, flow being controlled by a valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A facility for generating electrical power, said facility comprising:
 an electrical generator;   a steam turbine coupled to said electrical generator;   a steam boiler adapted to provide steam to said steam turbine for operating said electrical generator;   a liquid water reservoir;   a water conduit providing fluid communication between said liquid water reservoir and said steam boiler;   an exhaust valve positioned within said water conduit for controlling flow of said liquid water from said liquid water reservoir into said steam boiler;   a steam conduit providing fluid communication from said steam boiler to said water conduit;   a steam injector valve positioned in said steam conduit for controlling flow of said steam from said steam boiler into said water conduit; wherein   opening said steam injector valve injects steam into said water conduit, said steam condensing on a water-steam interface thereby creating a partial vacuum within said water conduit, said liquid water from said water reservoir accelerating into said partial vacuum creating a pressure and momentum pulse within said water conduit, said exhaust valve opening permitting a burst of said liquid water to be injected into said steam boiler.   
     
     
         2 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein said exhaust valve comprises a check valve. 
     
     
         3 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein said exhaust valve comprises a remotely controlled valve. 
     
     
         4 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein said exhaust valve is positioned proximate to an interface between said water conduit and said steam boiler. 
     
     
         5 . The facility according to  claim 4 , wherein said steam injector valve is positioned proximate to said exhaust valve. 
     
     
         6 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein said steam boiler further comprising a plenum, said water conduit providing fluid communication between said liquid water reservoir and said steam boiler via said plenum. 
     
     
         7 . The facility according to  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned proximate to said exhaust valve. 
     
     
         8 . The facility according to  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of said steam injector valves are positioned in spaced relation around a perimeter of said water conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The facility according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned in spaced relation lengthwise along said water conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The facility according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one said steam injector valves of said plurality is positioned proximate to said exhaust valve. 
     
     
         11 . The facility according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cooling water reservoir;   a cooling water conduit providing fluid communication between said cooling water reservoir and said water conduit;   a cooling water injector valve positioned within said cooling water conduit for controlling flow of cooling water from said cooling water reservoir into said water conduit; wherein   opening said cooling water injector valve permits said cooling water to enter said water conduit, thereby increasing a rate of condensation of said steam within said water conduit.   
     
     
         12 . The facility according to  claim 11 , wherein said cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to an interface between said cooling water conduit and said water conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The facility according to  claim 12 , wherein said cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to said steam injector valve. 
     
     
         14 . The facility according to  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned proximate to said steam injector valve. 
     
     
         15 . The facility according to  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of said cooling water injector valves are positioned in spaced relation around a perimeter of said water conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The facility according to  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned in spaced relation lengthwise along said water conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The facility according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one said cooling water injector valve of said plurality is positioned proximate to said steam injector valve. 
     
     
         18 . The facility according to  claim 11 , further comprising a coolant pump positioned within said cooling water conduit for pumping said cooling water from said cooling water reservoir into said water conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The facility according to  claim 11 , wherein said cooling water reservoir comprises said liquid water reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . The facility according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flow conditioning element positioned within said water conduit. 
     
     
         21 . The facility according to  claim 20 , wherein said flow conditioning element comprises a vortex generator comprising at least one vane. 
     
     
         22 . The facility according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control system, said control system being selected from the group including a programmable controller, an analog controller, a mechanical controller or a simple periodic wave form controller. 
     
     
         23 . The facility according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a programmable controller;   at least one sensor positioned within said water conduit, said at least one sensor adapted to measure a physical parameter within said water conduit and transmit a signal indicative of said physical parameter to said programmable controller.   
     
     
         24 . The facility according to  claim 23 , wherein said programmable controller is in communication with said steam injector valve for controlling opening and closing thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The facility according to  claim 24 , wherein said programmable controller is in communication with said exhaust valve for controlling opening and closing thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The facility according to  claim 23 , wherein said physical parameter comprises pressure, temperature, flow rate, or void fraction, or a combination thereof within said water conduit.