A drilling rig and methods are provided for using multiple types of drilling when installing geothermal systems. The drilling rig can perform sonic drilling such as percussive sonic drilling and a type of non-sonic drilling. Control switching valves are added to the hydraulics of the drilling rig to selectively provide sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid to motors used in the multiple types of drilling, depending on which type of drilling is currently most efficient for the underground formation being drilled. The water pump and hydraulic motor for such have been designed to handle both types of drilling on a small drilling rig frame, thereby allowing for the drilling to occur in space-constrained environments. A method of recycling water used to remove cuttings during drilling to put back downhole is also provided.

A drilling rig and methods are provided for using multiple types of drilling when installing geothermal systems. The drilling rig can perform sonic drilling such as percussive sonic drilling and a type of non-sonic drilling. Control switching valves are added to the hydraulics of the drilling rig to selectively provide sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid to motors used in the multiple types of drilling, depending on which type of drilling is currently most efficient for the underground formation being drilled. The water pump and hydraulic motor for such have been designed to handle both types of drilling on a small drilling rig frame, thereby allowing for the drilling to occur in space-constrained environments. A method of recycling water used to remove cuttings during drilling to put back downhole is also provided.

A geothermal power plant related maintenance support system comprises: a thermodynamic calculation module for determining performance of specified geothermal power plant components; a plurality of. embedded sensors, each of which is embedded in a different geothermal power plant location and adapted to sense a corresponding real-time geothermal power plant parameter; a plurality of environmental sensors adapted to sense ambient conditions in the vicinity of the geothermal power plant; and a processor in data communication with each of said embedded sensors and environmental sensors.

A geothermal power plant related maintenance support system comprises: a thermodynamic calculation module for determining performance of specified geothermal power plant components; a plurality of. embedded sensors, each of which is embedded in a different geothermal power plant location and adapted to sense a corresponding real-time geothermal power plant parameter; a plurality of environmental sensors adapted to sense ambient conditions in the vicinity of the geothermal power plant; and a processor in data communication with each of said embedded sensors and environmental sensors.

Fluid classes for use in energy recovery in well and geothermal environments for power production are disclosed. The fluids fall into the classes of fluids being capable of increasing thermodynamic efficiency of electricity and/or heat generation from a closed-loop geothermal system. Numerous methods are disclosed which exploit the thermodynamics of the fluids for optimum energy recovery.

A system for extracting geothermal heat energy: includes a geothermal well formed in surrounding crust material and extending from a well top part down to a depth where the surrounding crust material has elevated geothermal temperatures. The geothermal well includes a heat medium contained within geothermal well walls. The heat medium is heated at a well bottom part by heat extracted from the surrounding crust material, evaporating and rising to carry heat energy towards the well top part. A heat extractor, extracts heat energy from the heat medium at the well top part. At least one heat conductive path extends outwardly from the geothermal well into the crust material to conduct geothermal heat from the crust material surrounding the path towards the well bottom part.

Provided here is a system and method for harnessing geothermal energy for generation of electricity by using complete closed loop heat exchange systems combined with onboard drilling apparatus. The system includes several devices operating separately in many different applications in energy sectors, including Self Contained In-Ground Geothermal Generator; the Self Contained Heat Exchanger; the In-Line-Pump/Generator; and preeminent drilling system for drilling wider and deeper wellbores. The system can be used for harnessing heat from accessible lava flows; harnessing the waste heat from the flame on top of flares stacks and similar cases. Also, included is an architectural solution for the restoration of the terminal lake, the Salton Sea, an area of prevalent geothermal sources, including dividing lake in three sections and importing seawater in central section with pipeline system; providing condition for tourism; treating farmland runoff waters; generating electricity including solar energy; and producing potable water and lithium as byproducts.

A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir and is entirely subsurface. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.

A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir and is entirely subsurface. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.

A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.