| 摘要 |
A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water - e.g. sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface thereof and at a relatively high temperature - e.g. about 85 DEG F. - is exposed to radiant solar energy to increase significantly the temperature thereof - e.g. to a level of at least about 135 DEG F. The heated water is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding zone, to provide substantially non-salinous vaporous phases. The salinous liquid phase is introduced in series through the plurality of flash zones. The vapor phases are passed through separate, individual turbines, or are introduced into different stages of a multi-stage turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated. Vapors exiting from the turbines are condensed via indirect heat-exchange with a second salinous water portion, obtained from a second depth substantially below the surface, and at a comparatively lower temperature - e.g. about 70 DEG F. - to recover liquid potable water. The salinous liquid phase emanating from the last flash zone is used to vaporize, via indirect heat-exchange, a hydrocarbon; this is passed through a separate turbine, and additional power is generated. The exiting hydrocarbon vapors are condensed, via indirect heat-exchange with the second salinous water portion, and re-vaporized. The last salinous liquid portion, following heat-exchange with the hydrocarbon, and at a temperature of at least about 90 DEG F., is introduced into a separate vacuum flash separation zone, maintained at an absolute pressure less than that of the last flash zone in said plurality, and additional potable liquid water is recovered from the resulting non-salinous vaporous phase.
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