A process for improving the efficiency of a steam power generation plant, the process providing utilizing steam or water from a steam cycle of a steam power plant; and supplying a steam cycle treatment to the steam cycle, thereby generating a hydrophobic coating within the steam cycle.

A process for improving the efficiency of a steam power generation plant, the process providing utilizing steam or water from a steam cycle of a steam power plant; and supplying a steam cycle treatment to the steam cycle, thereby generating a hydrophobic coating within the steam cycle.

Systems and methods are provided for charging a pumped thermal energy storage (“PTES”) system. A system may include a compressor or pump configured to circulate a working fluid within a fluid circuit, wherein the working fluid enters the pump at a first pressure and exits at a second pressure; a first heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use; a second heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use; a third heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use, a turbine positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, configured to expand the working fluid to the first pressure; a high temperature reservoir connected to the first heat exchanger; a low temperature reservoir connected to the second heat exchanger, and a waste heat reservoir connected to the third heat exchanger.

Systems and methods are provided for charging a pumped thermal energy storage (“PTES”) system. A system may include a compressor or pump configured to circulate a working fluid within a fluid circuit, wherein the working fluid enters the pump at a first pressure and exits at a second pressure; a first heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use; a second heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use; a third heat exchanger through which the working fluid circulates in use, a turbine positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, configured to expand the working fluid to the first pressure; a high temperature reservoir connected to the first heat exchanger; a low temperature reservoir connected to the second heat exchanger, and a waste heat reservoir connected to the third heat exchanger.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method and method for recovery of solution mined minerals. The method may include creating superheated steam using a steam boiler; passing the superheated steam through a turbine/generator to generate electricity; reheating the steam exiting the turbine/generator to saturation with a steam reheater; using the saturated steam with an absorption chiller to create chilled water; and recovering minerals using the chilled water in a cooling crystallizer system. In embodiments, the method and system may be used to recover minerals, such as potash (KCl), washing soda (Na.sub.2CO.sub.3.10H.sub.2O); nahcolite (NaHCO.sub.3); and glauber salt (NaSO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O). The method may utilize the trigeneration of steam, electrical, and chilled water utilities, which may be used for a recovery process.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method and method for recovery of solution mined minerals. The method may include creating superheated steam using a steam boiler; passing the superheated steam through a turbine/generator to generate electricity; reheating the steam exiting the turbine/generator to saturation with a steam reheater; using the saturated steam with an absorption chiller to create chilled water; and recovering minerals using the chilled water in a cooling crystallizer system. In embodiments, the method and system may be used to recover minerals, such as potash (KCl), washing soda (Na.sub.2CO.sub.3.10H.sub.2O); nahcolite (NaHCO.sub.3); and glauber salt (NaSO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O). The method may utilize the trigeneration of steam, electrical, and chilled water utilities, which may be used for a recovery process.

A scale suppression apparatus capable of suppressing in a low-priced manner the generation of silica-based scale and calcium-based scale in the influent water, a geothermal power generation system using the same, and a scale suppression method are provided. The apparatus includes a first addition unit configured to add liquid containing a chelating agent and an alkaline agent to influent water flowing through a pipe arrangement to make the influent water higher than pH 7, a second addition unit configured to add an acid substance to the influent water to make the influent water lower than pH 7, and a controller configured to alternatively switch between the operation of the first addition unit and the operation of the second addition unit. The controller controls the switching of the first addition unit and the second addition unit based on the signals output from a scale detection unit and a pH meter.

A scale suppression apparatus capable of suppressing in a low-priced manner the generation of silica-based scale and calcium-based scale in the influent water, a geothermal power generation system using the same, and a scale suppression method are provided. The apparatus includes a first addition unit configured to add liquid containing a chelating agent and an alkaline agent to influent water flowing through a pipe arrangement to make the influent water higher than pH 7, a second addition unit configured to add an acid substance to the influent water to make the influent water lower than pH 7, and a controller configured to alternatively switch between the operation of the first addition unit and the operation of the second addition unit. The controller controls the switching of the first addition unit and the second addition unit based on the signals output from a scale detection unit and a pH meter.

A waste heat recovery system includes: a heater which evaporates a working medium by exchanging heat between supercharged air supplied to an engine and the working medium; an expander which expands the working medium which has flowed out from the heater; a power recovery device connected to the expander; a condenser which condenses the working medium which has flowed out from the expander; a cooling medium supply pipe for supplying a cooling medium to an air cooler which cools the supercharged air which has flowed out from the heater; a cooling medium pump which is provided in the cooling medium supply pipe and which sends the cooling medium to the air cooler; and a branch pipe which bifurcates a part of the cooling medium flowing in the cooling medium supply pipe, to the condenser, in such a manner that the working medium is cooled by the cooling medium.

A waste heat recovery system includes: a heater which evaporates a working medium by exchanging heat between supercharged air supplied to an engine and the working medium; an expander which expands the working medium which has flowed out from the heater; a power recovery device connected to the expander; a condenser which condenses the working medium which has flowed out from the expander; a cooling medium supply pipe for supplying a cooling medium to an air cooler which cools the supercharged air which has flowed out from the heater; a cooling medium pump which is provided in the cooling medium supply pipe and which sends the cooling medium to the air cooler; and a branch pipe which bifurcates a part of the cooling medium flowing in the cooling medium supply pipe, to the condenser, in such a manner that the working medium is cooled by the cooling medium.