| 摘要 |
A chemical compound or composition such as liquified natural gas or LNG with a critical temperature less than that of water is pumped into a subterranean well for injection near the bottom of the well. The chemical compound or composition changes to gas phase and rises in a column of water segregated in the well from an opposing column of water without gas. The water is heated to facilitate or effect the gasification of the chemical compound or composition. In one embodiment, such heating is accomplished by use of cooling water heated in cooling a refinery or heavy manufacturing operation, the column then serving as a cooling tower for the water to prepare it for recycling as cooling water in the refinery or heavy manufacturing operation. The gas/water mixture in the column forms a fluid of reduced density thereby being of less total weight than the column of water without gas. The difference in weight of the two columns provides a lifting force on the gas water mixture such that the effluent from the gas water mixture column will be elevated in relation to the free surface of the water only column. Such elevated quantities of water possess potential energy which can be converted into electrical or mechanical energy to be utilized as desired. Gas separated from the water is preferably collected and used for other purposes or recycled within the system.
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