Boreholes used for generating geothermal energy or other purposes are formed at least in part by accelerating projectiles toward geologic material. Interaction between a projectile and the geologic material may generate debris or other material. The temperature of this generated material may be used to determine the potential for generation of geothermal energy using the borehole. Based on the temperature of the material, a fluid having a different temperature than that of the material is provided into the borehole for generation of power using geothermal energy.

The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.

The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.

The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and tools that measure ionic concentrations and downhole enthalpy of a flowing geothermal fluid in real-time at high-temperature and pressure. The systems, methods and tools include measuring the concentration of selected naturally occurring ions found in the liquid phase of the geothermal fluid throughout the wellbore using novel electrochemical sensor technologies. The change in liquid-phase ion concentration will be used to calculate the proportion of liquid to steam and allow for accurate enthalpy measurements. The techniques and technologies described here can be applied to any application of electrochemical sensing in extreme environments.

A method for calculating ground storage device temperatures for operating a geothermal facility with a circulation system by means of at least one geothermal heat exchanger or an energy pile with inflow and outflow lines leading to the geothermal heat exchanger or energy pile. The underground temperature in the ground storage device and/or the temperatures on the inflow and outflow lines are measured. The method includes the following steps: designing a ground storage device model (2) for converting the measured temperature variations into dynamic energy flows in the ground storage device; designing an energy flow model (3) based on statistically determined models and influencing variables relating to heat and cold; and calculating the future temperature variations (5) in the ground storage device using the energy flow model (3) and the ground storage device model (2).

A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.

A method for recompleting a well is applied to a well such that the recompleted well can thermally transfer geothermal energy to surface. The recompleting method can comprise steps to enhance the thermal conductivity of a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well, by inserting a thermal material into the wellbore that displaces a reservoir fluid having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal material. The recompleting method can also comprise steps to enhance the thermal conductivity of a reservoir in which the wellbore is located by inserting a thermal material into the reservoir that displaces a reservoir fluid having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal material, or in which the reservoir is fractured, and a thermal material is inserted into created fractures.

A building heating and cooling system includes a structural foundation member that extends into a borehole. A heat exchange loop is installed within the foundation member for heat exchange with ground surrounding the foundation member. The heat exchange hoop is interconnected with a heat pump for providing heating or cooling to the building by heat exchange with ground surrounding the foundation member.

A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.

The present disclosure provides a comprehensive utilization method and test equipment for surface water, a goaf and geothermal energy in a coal mining subsidence area. The method comprises the following steps: determining a geothermal water collection area, arranging heat energy exchange equipment in a main roadway, and arranging a geothermal water extraction system, wherein the geothermal water extraction system comprises geothermal wells, extraction pipelines and tail water reinjection pipelines, the extraction pipelines are connected with the heat energy exchange equipment, and the tail water reinjection pipelines are connected with a water outlet of the heat energy exchange equipment; arranging a water channel on the surface, and arranging a drainage system on a subsidence trough to guide surface water to flow underground; and controlling directional and ordered flow of surface water through the coal mining subsidence area formed by ground mining to achieve sustainable mining of underground water.