Steam hammer pumps and power equipment

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 the liquid water reservoir and the control volume, forming a liquid-steam interface. Steam in the conduit condenses on the interface, creating a region of partial vacuum. Water accelerates into the region of partial vacuum and is discharged into the control volume, with the flow rate controlled by a valve.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 672,879, filed February 16, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pump for pumping a fluid. [Background technology]

[0003] There is a need to increase the production of electricity without increasing the negative impact of electricity generation on the environment. One approach to this challenge is to increase the operating efficiency of existing and future power plants. It is estimated that power plants that burn fossil fuels operate at about 33% efficiency, leaving significant room for improvement. Even nuclear power plants, which operate at an estimated 34% efficiency, could potentially benefit from increased power plant operating efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a pump for injecting liquid water into a control volume. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump comprises a liquid water reservoir. A water conduit provides fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir and the control volume. An exhaust valve is positioned in the water conduit to control the flow of liquid water from the liquid water reservoir into the control volume. The exemplary pump further comprises a steam reservoir and a steam conduit providing fluid communication between the steam reservoir and the water conduit. A steam injector valve is positioned in the steam conduit to control the flow of steam from the steam reservoir to the water conduit. Opening the steam injector valve injects steam into the water conduit, and the steam condenses at the water-steam interface, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the water conduit. Liquid water from the liquid water reservoir is accelerated into the partial vacuum, creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit. The exhaust valve opens to allow a burst of liquid water to be injected into the control volume.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the control volume includes a high internal pressure and when a pressure and momentum pulse exceeds the high internal pressure in the control volume, the exhaust valve opens, thereby allowing a jet of liquid water to be injected into the control volume. In a particular example, the exhaust valve comprises a check valve, which may be a remotely controlled valve. As a further example, the exhaust valve may be positioned proximate to the interface between the water conduit and the control volume. In another example, the steam injector valve may be positioned proximate to the exhaust valve. An exemplary embodiment may comprise a plurality of steam injector valves positioned proximate to the exhaust valve. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the plurality of steam injector valves are positioned at spaced intervals about a circumference of the water conduit. Another exemplary embodiment may comprise a plurality of steam injector valves positioned at spaced intervals longitudinally along the water conduit. As an example, at least one steam injector valve of the plurality is positioned proximate to the exhaust valve.

[0006] An exemplary pump according to the present invention may further include a cooling water reservoir and a cooling water conduit providing fluid communication between the cooling water reservoir and the water conduit. A cooling water injector valve is positioned in the cooling water conduit to control the flow of cooling water from the cooling water reservoir to the water conduit. Opening the cooling water injector valve allows cooling water to enter the water conduit, thereby increasing the rate of condensation of steam in the water conduit.

[0007] In certain exemplary embodiments, the cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to an interface between the cooling water conduit and the water conduit. As a further example, the cooling water injector valve may be positioned proximate to the steam injector valve. Exemplary embodiments may include a plurality of cooling water injector valves positioned proximate to the steam injector valve. As a further example, the plurality of cooling water injector valves may be positioned spaced apart about a circumference of the water conduit. In another example, the plurality of cooling water injector valves may be positioned spaced apart longitudinally along the water conduit. In certain examples, at least one of the plurality of cooling water injector valves is positioned proximate to the steam injector valve.

[0008] Exemplary embodiments may further comprise a coolant pump positioned between the cooling water reservoir and the cooling water conduit for pumping cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit. By way of example, the cooling water reservoir may comprise a liquid water reservoir. Exemplary embodiments of pumps according to the present invention may further comprise a control volume. In exemplary embodiments, the control volume may comprise a steam boiler. In another example, the control volume may comprise a plenum in fluid communication with the steam boiler. As a further example, the steam boiler may comprise a steam reservoir.

[0009] Further example embodiments may include a flow regulation element positioned within the water conduit. In certain examples, the flow regulation element may include a vortex generator comprising at least one vane.

[0010] The exemplary pump according to the present invention may further comprise a control system. The control system may be selected from a group including a programmable controller, an analog controller, a mechanical controller, or a simple periodic waveform controller. As an example, the pump may further comprise a programmable controller and at least one sensor disposed in the water conduit. The at least one sensor is adapted to measure a physical parameter in the water conduit and transmit a signal indicative of the physical parameter to the programmable controller. As an example, the programmable controller may communicate with the steam injector valve to control the opening and closing of the steam injector valve, and the programmable controller may also communicate with the exhaust valve to control the opening and closing of the exhaust valve. In an exemplary embodiment, the physical parameter may include pressure, temperature, flow rate, or void fraction in the water conduit, or a combination thereof.

[0011] The present invention also includes a method of injecting liquid water into a control volume. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: injecting a vapor into a conduit in fluid communication with a control volume, the conduit containing a liquid; condensing steam at a steam-water interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit; accelerating liquid water into a partial vacuum region, thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse within the conduit; Discharging liquid water into a control volume, the liquid water being propelled by the pressure and momentum pulses.

[0012] By way of example, the method according to the present invention may further include forming a turbulent flow of liquid water at the steam-water interface, as well as cooling the steam proximate to the steam-water interface, In an exemplary embodiment, the cooling may include injecting cooling water into the partial vacuum region. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pump in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates example components of the example pump of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary power generation facility using an exemplary pump in accordance with the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, one aspect of the invention relates to a pump 10 for pumping liquid water 12 into a control volume 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump 10 comprises a liquid water reservoir 16. A water conduit 18 provides fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir 16 and the control volume 14. An exhaust valve 20 is positioned in the water conduit 18 to control the flow of liquid water 12 from the liquid water reservoir 16 into the control volume 14. As shown in Figure 1, it is advantageous to position the exhaust valve 20 proximate to an interface 22 between the water conduit 18 and the control volume 14.

[0015] The pump 10 further includes a steam reservoir 24 and a steam conduit 26 providing fluid communication between the steam reservoir 24 and the water conduit 18. A steam injector valve 28 is positioned in the steam conduit 26 to control the flow of steam 30 from the steam reservoir 24 into the water conduit 18. The steam conduit 26 is connected to the water conduit 18 at a point 23 between the water reservoir 16 and the exhaust valve 20. It is believed to be advantageous to locate the connection point 23 and the steam injector valve 28 in close proximity to the exhaust valve 20, although the location may be optimized as a general practice.

[0016] Operation of the pump 10 proceeds by opening the steam injector valve 28, thereby injecting steam 30 into the water conduit 18 and pushing the water in the water conduit 18 in a reverse direction towards the reservoir 16. The steam 30 condenses on the water-steam interface 32 created upon steam injection. The condensed steam creates a region of partial vacuum 34 in the water conduit 18. The liquid water 12 from the liquid water reservoir 16 then travels in a forward direction towards the control volume 14 and accelerates into the partial vacuum creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit 18. The pressure and momentum pulse, commonly known as the "steam hammer effect", is described by the Djokovski equation, which equates the change in pressure to the product of the density of the fluid, the speed of sound in the fluid, and the change in fluid velocity. In its simplest form, the energy of this "steam hammer" can be harnessed by carefully opening the steam injector valve 28, thereby creating steam bubbles that condense and collapse in a favorable manner to cause a localized pressure buildup greater than the pressure in the control volume 14. The exhaust valve 20 allows a jet of accelerating liquid water 12 to be injected into the control volume 14 due to the higher local pressure than in the control volume 14 and due to the kinetic energy of the water mass and associated velocity in the conduit 18 in the direction of the exhaust valve 20.

[0017] In an exemplary application of the pump 10, if the control volume 14 contains a high internal pressure (such as a steam boiler), the discharge valve 20 may advantageously comprise a check valve that opens when the pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit 18 near the check valve 20 exceeds the high internal pressure in the control volume 14 (steam boiler), thereby allowing a burst of liquid water to be injected into the control volume. When kinetic energy is converted into pressure and flow, the pressure drops and a backflow water hammer occurs in the water conduit 18, which would otherwise occur when the discharge valve 20 suddenly closes when the pressures in the control volume 14 and the water conduit 18 are equalized. The backflow water hammer effect is mitigated by the use of a "nozzle check" valve, for example, available from Crane ChemPharma&Energy of The Woodlands, Texas, under the brand "NOZ-CHEK®", and other vendors with similar designs.

[0018] In an exemplary application where the control volume 14 is at a relatively low pressure, e.g., atmospheric pressure, the discharge valve 20 may comprise a remotely controlled valve. In this application, the pump 10 may further comprise a control system 35, e.g., a programmable controller 36, such as the Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controller sold by Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and optionally one or more sensors 38 positioned in the water conduit. Analog controllers, mechanical controllers, or simple periodic waveform controllers may also constitute a practical control system. The sensors 38 may be adapted to measure various physical parameters, such as temperature, flow rate, and void fraction (the portion of the channel volume or channel cross-sectional area occupied by the gas phase) in the water conduit 18, and transmit signals indicative of the physical parameters to the programmable controller 36. In this example, the physical parameter is advantageously pressure. The programmable controller 36 communicates with both the steam injector valve 28 and the exhaust valve 20 to control, and thus regulate, the opening and closing of both valves to effect the pumping of water from the liquid water reservoir 16 to the control volume 14, which may contain, for example, ambient pressure or a higher pressure if desired. It will also be appreciated that analog controllers, mechanical controllers, or simple periodic waveform controllers may also be used to control both the steam injector valve 28 and the exhaust valve 20 via mechanical or electromechanical devices, linkages, and mechanisms.

[0019] The performance of the pump 10 may be adjusted by the positioning and number of steam injector valves 28 on the water conduit 18. As mentioned above, it is advantageous to position at least one steam injector valve 28 in close proximity to the exhaust valve 20. This positioning of the steam injector valve 28 allows for creating a region of partial vacuum 34 between the majority of the liquid water 12 in the water conduit 18 and the exhaust valve 20 for maximum injection of liquid water into the control volume 14. As a further example, the pump 10 may include multiple steam injector valves 28 located in close proximity to the exhaust valve 20. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the steam injector valves 28 may be positioned in spaced relation to around the circumference 40 of the water conduit 18. In another exemplary embodiment, also shown in FIG. 2, multiple steam injector valves 28 may be positioned in a longitudinally spaced relationship along the water conduit 18. The position and number of steam injector valves 28 on the water conduit 18 may be used to control the position of the water vapor-air interface 32 and the size of the region of partial vacuum 34. The timing and amount of steam injected by each steam injector valve 28 may be controlled by a programmable controller 36 or other control system to achieve a desired pump output volume and pressure in response to sensor data provided by one or more sensors 38 (if present). The performance of the pump 10 may be adjusted by various injector 18 nozzles and shapes, as well as various conduit 18 cross-sectional shapes in addition to simply circular, and variable areas along their length.

[0020] As further shown in FIG. 1 , the performance of the pump 10 can be further adjusted using a cooling water reservoir 42 and a cooling water conduit 44 that provides fluid communication between the cooling water reservoir 42 and the water conduit 18. In this example, a cooling water injector valve 46 is used, for example, having a spray nozzle designed to deliver small cooling water droplets into the steam space. The valve 46 is positioned in the cooling water conduit 44 to control the flow of cooling water 48 from the cooling water reservoir 42 and inject (e.g., spray) into the water conduit 18. Injection of the cooling water 48 into the water conduit 18, either at the water-steam interface 32 or otherwise in the region of partial vacuum 34, increases the rate of condensation of the steam 30 in the water conduit 18, thereby increasing the magnitude of the pressure and momentum pulse. A coolant pump 50, located between the cooling water reservoir 42 and the cooling water conduit 44, can be used to pump the cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit 18. Cooling water 48 injected into the water-steam interface 32 has the added benefit of breaking up the water surface at the water-steam interface, thereby disrupting thermal stratification of the water and resulting in more rapid heat transfer between the steam 30 and the liquid water 12, thereby increasing the rate of condensation and increasing the magnitude of the pressure and momentum pulses. To this end, it is believed to be advantageous to position the injector valve 46 in close proximity to the interface 47 between the cooling water conduit 44 and the water conduit 18, as well as in close proximity to the steam injector valve 28, although the location may be optimized as a general practice.

[0021] Further performance improvements may be achieved using multiple cooling water injector valves 46 positioned proximate to the steam injector valve 28, as shown by way of example in Figure 2. The multiple cooling water injector valves 46 may be spaced apart about the circumference 40 of the water conduit 18, similar to the steam injector valve 28. Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, multiple cooling water injector valves 46 (which may advantageously include droplet spray nozzles) may be spaced apart longitudinally along the water conduit 18. Figure 1 illustrates two exemplary embodiments in which, in one embodiment, the cooling water reservoir 42 includes the liquid water reservoir 16, and the cooling water conduit 44 is shown in dashed lines. In other exemplary embodiments, the cooling water reservoir 42 comprises a separate reservoir.

[0022] 5, both the control volume 14 and the steam reservoir 24 include a steam boiler 88. The control volume 14 may also include a plenum 52 in fluid communication with the steam boiler. The plenum 52 may receive multiple water conduit inputs from the discharge valves 20 of other pumps in the exemplary embodiment.

[0023] The performance of the pump 10 may also be enhanced using a flow conditioning element in the water conduit 18. As shown in FIG. 1, a flow conditioning element 54 may be positioned in the water conduit 18. In certain exemplary embodiments, the flow conditioning element 54 may include a vortex generator or other flow conditioning element and may include at least one vane 56. The flow conditioning element 54 is expected to generate turbulence at the water-steam interface 32 to inhibit temperature stratification of the liquid water at the water-steam interface. The turbulence is expected to promote mixing and increase heat transfer from the steam to the water, thereby increasing the rate of condensation. This effect should provide a more rapid formation of the region of partial vacuum 34, which increases the acceleration of the water, thereby increasing the pressure and momentum pulse. The conduits shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 may have a circular cross section, but may have any practical geometric shape, or irregular shapes, as well as variable cross-sectional areas along their length for construction reasons or performance optimization.

[0024] The present invention further includes a method of injecting liquid water into a control volume. As shown with reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary method includes: injecting steam into a conduit in fluid communication with the aspiration control volume, the conduit containing liquid water (58); condensing (60) steam at a steam-water interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit; accelerating the liquid water into the partial vacuum region thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the conduit (62); Discharging (64) the liquid water into the control volume, the liquid water being propelled by the pressure and momentum pulses.

[0025] Additional steps may include forming a turbulent flow of liquid water at the steam-water interface (66) and cooling the steam proximate the steam-water interface (68), for example, by injecting cooling water into the partial vacuum region.

[0026] A further embodiment of the present invention includes a method for releasing liquid water from a conduit having one end in fluid communication with a liquid water reservoir and an opposite end closed by a valve. As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary method includes: injecting (70) steam into a conduit proximate to the valve, the conduit containing liquid water; condensing steam at a steam-water interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit proximate the valve (72); accelerating the liquid water into the partial vacuum region thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the conduit (74); and opening a valve to drain the liquid water from the conduit, the liquid water being propelled by the pressure and momentum pulse (76).

[0027] Additional steps may include forming a turbulent flow of liquid water at the steam-water interface (78) and cooling the steam proximate the steam-water interface (80), for example, by injecting cooling water into the partial vacuum region.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a practical example of the pump 10 used in an installation 82 for generating electricity. In an exemplary embodiment, the installation 82, which may be a fossil-combustion or nuclear plant, comprises a generator 84. A steam turbine 86 is coupled to the generator 84. The turbine 86 is intended to extract maximum kinetic energy from the steam and apply the energy to the generator. A steam boiler 88 serves as the steam reservoir 24 of the pump 10 and is adapted to provide steam to the steam turbine 86 for operating the generator 84. The pump 10 includes a liquid water reservoir 16 that receives condensate and steam exhaust from the turbine 86, where the steam is further condensed and the condensate is cooled. A water conduit 18 provides fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir 16 and the steam boiler 88, which in this example also includes the control volume 14. A discharge valve 20 is positioned in the water conduit 18 to control the flow of liquid water 12 from the liquid water reservoir 16 into the steam boiler 88 (control volume 14). The steam conduit 26 provides fluid communication from the steam boiler 88 to the water conduit 18. At least one steam injector valve 28 is positioned in the steam conduit 26 to control the flow of steam 30 from the steam boiler 88 into the water conduit 18.

[0029] When it is desired to inject liquid water 12 into the boiler 88, the steam injector valve 28 is opened to inject steam 30 into the water conduit 18. It is advantageous if the temperature of the steam is 20° C. (36° F.) higher than the temperature of the water in the water conduit 18. This is expected to promote a severe condensation hammer, so an added advantage may be ensured for the length-to-diameter ratio of the water conduit 18 to be greater than 24. The steam 30 condenses at the water-steam interface created by the injected steam, thereby creating a partial vacuum region in the water conduit 18. Liquid water from the water reservoir 16 is accelerated toward the partial vacuum, creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit 18. The exhaust valve 20 opens, allowing a burst of liquid water 12 to be injected by the water conduit 18 into the steam boiler 88. In an exemplary embodiment, the exhaust valve 20 may comprise a check valve that automatically opens when the magnitude of the local pressure and momentum pulse exceeds the pressure in the steam boiler 88. Backflow water hammer in the water conduit 18, which would otherwise occur when the drain valve 20 suddenly closes, is mitigated by the use of a "nozzle check" valve as described above.

[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, the exhaust valve 20 may comprise a remotely controlled valve. The exemplary installation 82 further comprises a control system 35, e.g., a programmable controller 36, and one or more sensors 38 positioned in the water conduit 18. In this example, the sensor 38 is adapted to measure the pressure in the water conduit 18 and transmit an electrical signal indicative of the pressure to the programmable controller 36. The programmable controller 36 communicates with both the steam injector valve 28 and the exhaust valve 20 to control the timing and duration of opening and closing of both the exhaust valve 20 and the steam injector valve 28. It is also understood that the control system 35 may comprise an analog controller, a mechanical controller, or a simple periodic waveform controller for controlling both the steam injector valve 28 and the exhaust valve 20 via mechanical or electromechanical devices, linkages, and mechanisms.

[0031] The detailed design of the number and arrangement of steam injector valves 28 in the water conduits 18 of the pump 10 used in the installation 82 is as described above with respect to the pump 10. The design and operation of the cooling water system including the cooling water reservoir 42, the cooling water conduits 44, and the cooling water spray injector valves 46 are also as described above. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the cooling water reservoir 42 is also the liquid water reservoir 16. It is further advantageous if the plenum 52 is part of the steam boiler 88. The plenum 52 allows for the injection of liquid water by the multiple water conduits 18 from another liquid water reservoir (not shown) that receives low pressure steam and condensate from another turbine (not shown). As further described above, flow regulation elements such as vortex generators or other flow regulators may be positioned in the water conduits 18 to improve the performance of the pump 10.

[0032] It is anticipated that the exemplary pump 10 according to the present invention will have many beneficial applications. The pump 10 is expected to use boiler pressure steam to supply water to the boiler at even greater pressure, thus eliminating the need for multiple stages to pump from the condensate and eliminating the use of condensate boosters and feedwater pumps. Furthermore, the "house" electrical energy is not used to pump the water; thus increasing the electrical output of the power plant. Furthermore, since most of the motive steam energy is returned to the boiler, no steam energy is wasted in the condenser. If the steam in the water stream is separated from the water stream and a steam jet ejector is used to reduce the tank pressure, it is anticipated that most of the warmer water stream extracted from the turbine may be pumped using the pump according to the present invention. In this way, the condenser is bypassed, so no boiler energy is wasted by condensation. This is expected to reduce the thermal load on the condenser, reduce the overall condenser cooling temperature, and increase the efficiency of the generator. If the steam pump and steam ejector are optimized, there may be the possibility of bypassing the condenser entirely. The use of the pump 10 is expected to increase thermal efficiency, for example, in nuclear power plants, from the current 34% to over 90%. This has a huge potential advantage since much less fuel is needed even at higher thermal efficiency. Lower fuel costs also reduce nuclear waste streams. The use of the exemplary pump 10 according to the present invention can fundamentally disrupt the traditional "Rankine" cycle used in power plants. In the Rankine cycle, all turbine output must be condensed (thus wasting energy) because the centrifugal water pump must pump water, not a water-steam mixture. Using the same approach, it is expected to reduce the fossil fuel firing rate and therefore the production of CO2 for heat generation in current legacy power plants. It is estimated that the exemplary power plant 82 using the pump 10 with the optimal configuration according to the present invention could have a global impact by reducing electricity production costs and CO2 emissions by up to 65%.

Claims

1. 1. A pump for injecting liquid water into a control volume, the pump comprising: A liquid water reservoir; and a water conduit providing fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir and the control volume; a drain valve positioned in the water conduit to control the flow of the liquid water from the liquid water reservoir to the control volume; A steam reservoir; a steam conduit providing fluid communication between the steam reservoir and the water conduit; a steam injector valve positioned in the steam conduit to control the flow of steam from the steam reservoir to the water conduit; a pump, wherein opening the steam injector valve causes steam to inject into the water conduit, the steam condensing at a water-steam interface thereby creating a partial vacuum in the water conduit, the liquid water from the liquid water reservoir accelerates in the partial vacuum creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit, and the exhaust valve opens allowing a jet of the liquid water to be injected into the control volume.

2. 2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the control volume contains an elevated internal pressure, and when the pressure and momentum pulse exceeds the elevated internal pressure in the control volume, the exhaust valve opens, thereby allowing the jet of liquid water to be injected into the control volume.

3. The pump of claim 2 , wherein the exhaust valve comprises a check valve.

4. The pump of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust valve comprises a remotely controlled valve.

5. The pump of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust valve is positioned proximate to an interface between the water conduit and the control volume.

6. The pump of claim 5 , wherein the steam injector valve is positioned adjacent to the exhaust valve.

7. The pump of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned proximate to said exhaust valve.

8. 8. The pump of claim 7, wherein the plurality of steam injector valves are positioned at intervals about a circumference of the water conduit.

9. 6. The pump of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned at longitudinal intervals along said water conduit.

10. The pump of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of steam injector valves is positioned proximate to the exhaust valve.

11. A cooling water reservoir; a cooling water conduit providing fluid communication between the cooling water reservoir and the water conduit; a cooling water injector valve positioned in the cooling water conduit to control the flow of cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit; 2. The pump of claim 1, wherein opening the cooling water injector valve allows the cooling water to enter the water conduit, thereby increasing a rate of condensation of the steam within the water conduit.

12. The pump of claim 11 , wherein the cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to an interface between the cooling water conduit and the water conduit.

13. The pump of claim 12 , wherein the cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to the steam injector valve.

14. The pump of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned proximate to said steam injector valves.

15. The pump of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of cooling water injector valves are spaced apart about a circumference of the water conduit.

16. 13. The pump of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned at longitudinal intervals along said water conduit.

17. The pump of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of the cooling water injector valves is positioned proximate to the steam injector valve.

18. 12. The pump of claim 11, further comprising a coolant pump positioned between the cooling water reservoir and the cooling water conduit for pumping the cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit.

19. The pump of claim 11 , wherein the cooling water reservoir comprises the liquid water reservoir.

20. The pump of claim 1 further comprising the control volume.

21. 21. The pump of claim 20, wherein the control volume comprises a steam boiler.

22. 22. The pump of claim 21, wherein the control volume comprises a plenum in fluid communication with the steam boiler.

23. 22. The pump of claim 21, wherein the steam boiler comprises the steam reservoir.

24. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a flow regulating element positioned within the water conduit.

25. 25. The pump of claim 24, wherein the flow regulation element comprises a vortex generator comprising at least one vane.

26. 10. The pump of 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 waveform controller.

27. A programmable controller; 10. The pump of claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensor positioned in the water conduit, the at least one sensor adapted to measure a physical parameter in the water conduit and to transmit a signal indicative of the physical parameter to the programmable controller.

28. 28. The pump of claim 27, wherein the programmable controller is in communication with the vapor injector valve to control the opening and closing of the vapor injector valve.

29. 30. The pump of claim 28, wherein the programmable controller is in communication with the exhaust valve to control the opening and closing of the exhaust valve.

30. 27. The pump of claim 26, wherein the physical parameters include pressure, temperature, flow rate, or void fraction in the water conduit, or a combination thereof.

31. 1. A pump for injecting a condensable substance in a liquid state into a control volume, the pump comprising: a liquid reservoir for holding said substance in said liquid state; a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the control volume; a drain valve positioned in the liquid conduit to control the flow of the substance in the liquid state from the liquid reservoir into the control volume; a gas reservoir adapted to contain said substance in a gaseous state; a gas conduit providing fluid communication between the gas reservoir and the liquid conduit; a gas injector valve positioned in the gas conduit to control the flow of the substance in the gas state from the gas reservoir into the liquid conduit; a pump which injects the substance in the gaseous state into the liquid conduit by opening the gas injector valve, the substance in the gaseous state condenses at a liquid-gas interface thereby creating a partial vacuum in the gas conduit, the substance in the liquid state accelerates within the partial vacuum creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the gas conduit, and the exhaust valve opens to allow a burst of the substance in the liquid state to be injected into the control volume.

32. 32. The pump of claim 31 , wherein the control volume contains an elevated internal pressure, and when the pressure and momentum pulse exceeds the elevated internal pressure within the control volume, the exhaust valve opens, thereby allowing a burst of the substance in the liquid state to be injected into the control volume.

33. 33. The pump of claim 32, wherein the exhaust valve comprises a check valve.

34. 32. The pump of claim 31 , wherein the exhaust valve comprises a remotely controlled valve.

35. 32. The pump of claim 31 , wherein the exhaust valve is positioned proximate to an interface between the liquid conduit and the control volume.

36. 36. The pump of claim 35, wherein the gas injector valve is positioned adjacent to the exhaust valve.

37. 1. A method for injecting liquid water into a control volume, the method comprising: injecting a vapor into a conduit in fluid communication with the control volume, the conduit containing the liquid; condensing the steam at a steam-water interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit; accelerating the liquid water into the partial vacuum region, thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse within the conduit; discharging the liquid water into the control volume, wherein the liquid water is propelled by the pressure and momentum pulses.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising creating a turbulent flow of the liquid water at the steam-water interface.

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising cooling the steam proximate the steam-water interface.

40. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein said cooling comprises injecting cooling water into said region of partial vacuum.

41. 1. A method for injecting a condensable substance in a liquid state into a control volume, the method comprising: injecting the substance in a gaseous state into a conduit in fluid communication with the control volume, the conduit containing the substance in a liquid state; condensing the substance in the gaseous state at a gas-liquid interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit; accelerating the material in the liquid state into the partial vacuum region, thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse within the conduit; and expelling the substance in the liquid state into the control volume, wherein the substance in the liquid state is propelled by the pressure and momentum pulses.

42. 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising forming a turbulent flow of the substance in the liquid state at the gas-liquid interface.

43. 1. A method of releasing liquid water from a conduit having one end in fluid communication with a liquid water reservoir and an opposite end closed by a valve, the method comprising: injecting steam into the conduit proximate to the valve, the conduit containing the liquid; condensing the steam at a steam-water interface within the conduit, thereby creating a partial vacuum region within the conduit proximate to the valve; accelerating the liquid water into the partial vacuum region, thereby creating a pressure and momentum pulse within the conduit; and opening the valve to expel the liquid water from the liquid water being propelled by the pressure and momentum pulse.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising creating a turbulent flow of the liquid water at the steam-water interface.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising cooling the steam proximate the steam-water interface.

46. 46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein said cooling comprises injecting cooling water into said region of partial vacuum.

47. 1. An installation for generating electrical power, comprising: A generator, a steam turbine coupled to the generator; a steam boiler adapted to provide steam to the steam turbine to operate the generator; A liquid water reservoir; and a water conduit providing fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir and the steam boiler; a drain valve positioned in the water conduit to control the flow of the liquid water from the liquid water reservoir into the steam boiler; a steam conduit providing fluid communication from the steam boiler to the water conduit; a steam injector valve positioned in the steam conduit to control the flow of steam from the steam boiler into the water conduit; the arrangement wherein opening the steam injector valve allows steam to be injected into the water conduit, the steam to condense at a water-steam interface thereby creating a partial vacuum in the water conduit, the liquid water from the liquid water reservoir to be accelerated in the partial vacuum creating a pressure and momentum pulse in the water conduit, and the exhaust valve to open allowing a jet of the liquid water to be injected into the steam boiler.

48. 48. The arrangement of claim 47, wherein the exhaust valve comprises a check valve.

49. 48. The arrangement of claim 47, wherein the exhaust valve comprises a remotely controlled valve.

50. 48. The arrangement of claim 47, wherein the drain valve is located proximate to an interface between the water conduit and the steam boiler.

51. 51. The fixture of claim 50, wherein the steam injector valve is positioned proximate to the exhaust valve.

52. 48. The arrangement of claim 47, wherein the steam boiler further comprises a plenum, and the water conduit provides fluid communication between the liquid water reservoir and the steam boiler through the plenum.

53. 52. The fixture of claim 51, further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned proximate to said exhaust valve.

54. 54. The arrangement of claim 53, wherein the plurality of steam injector valves are positioned at intervals about a circumference of the water conduit.

55. 51. The fixture of claim 50, further comprising a plurality of said steam injector valves positioned at longitudinal intervals along said water conduit.

56. 56. The arrangement of claim 55, wherein at least one of the plurality of steam injector valves is positioned proximate to the exhaust valve.

57. A cooling water reservoir; a cooling water conduit providing fluid communication between the cooling water reservoir and the water conduit; a cooling water injector valve positioned in the cooling water conduit to control the flow of cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit; 48. The arrangement of claim 47, wherein opening the cooling water injector valve allows the cooling water to enter the water conduit, thereby increasing a rate of condensation of the steam in the water conduit.

58. 58. The arrangement of claim 57, wherein the cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to an interface between the cooling water conduit and the water conduit.

59. 59. The arrangement of claim 58, wherein the cooling water injector valve is positioned proximate to the steam injector valve.

60. 60. The facility of claim 59, further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned proximate to said steam injector valves.

61. 61. The fixture of claim 60, wherein the plurality of cooling water injector valves are positioned at intervals about a circumference of the water conduit.

62. 60. The fixture of claim 58, further comprising a plurality of said cooling water injector valves positioned at longitudinal intervals along said water conduit.

63. 63. The arrangement of claim 62, wherein at least one of the plurality of the cooling water injector valves is positioned proximate to a steam injector valve.

64. 58. The arrangement of claim 57, further comprising a coolant pump positioned within the cooling water conduit for pumping the cooling water from the cooling water reservoir into the water conduit.

65. 58. The arrangement of claim 57, wherein the cooling water reservoir comprises the liquid water reservoir.

66. 48. The fixture of claim 47, further comprising a flow regulation element positioned within the water conduit.

67. 67. The arrangement of claim 66, wherein the flow regulation element comprises a vortex generator comprising at least one vane.

68. 48. The facility of claim 47, further comprising a control system, said control system selected from the group including a programmable controller, an analog controller, a mechanical controller, or a simple periodic waveform controller.

69. A programmable controller; 48. The arrangement of claim 47, further comprising: at least one sensor positioned within the water conduit, the at least one sensor adapted to measure a physical parameter within the water conduit and to transmit a signal indicative of the physical parameter to the programmable controller.

70. 70. The arrangement of claim 69, wherein the programmable controller is in communication with the steam injector valve to control the opening and closing of the steam injector valve.

71. 71. The pump of claim 70, wherein the programmable controller is in communication with the exhaust valve to control the opening and closing of the exhaust valve.

72. 70. The pump of claim 69, wherein the physical parameters include pressure, temperature, flow rate, or void fraction within the water conduit, or a combination thereof.

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