F03G4/033

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE CAPTURE OF HEAT ENERGY, LONG-DISTANCE CONVEYANCE, STORAGE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE CAPTURED HEAT ENERGY AND POWER GENERATED THEREFROM
20220042424 · 2022-02-10 · ·

A stand-alone long-distance closed-loop heat energy capture, conveyance, and delivery system, comprises three closed-loop modules in serial communication. The first module is in communication with a first closed-loop piping infrastructure interconnected with a source of heat energy, and has a LBP liquid circulating therein whereby the LBP liquid is converted into its gas phase when flowing through the source of heat energy thereby capturing a portion of heat energy therefrom, and is converted into its liquid phase when flowing through a first heat exchanger that transfers the captured-heat energy to a second closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein also is circulating a LBP liquid. The second closed-loop module may extend for long distances. The captured-heat energy in the second module is transferred to a third closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is also circulating a LBP liquid. The captured-heat energy is transferred from the third module to a delivery site.

METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING HEAT ENERGY FROM GEOTHERMAL BRINY FLUID
20220228574 · 2022-07-21 ·

The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.

HEAT EXCHANGE CIRCUIT FOR A GEOTHERMAL PLANT
20220186984 · 2022-06-16 · ·

A heat exchange circuit for a geothermal plant comprising a well excavated in the rock, a casing arranged inside the well, integral with it and comprising at least a first perforated section extending along a first portion of the well and at least a second perforated section extending along a second portion of the well, the perforated sections allowing the exit and the entry of a flow of geothermal fluid contained in an aquifer, an internal duct, located inside the casing in which a heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the well, the casing and the internal duct being arranged as a substantially closed ring, except for at least one surface interruption, at least one heat-exchange section at the bottom of the well between the first portion and the second portion of the well within which the geothermal fluid transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid.

Systems and methods for the capture of heat energy, long-distance conveyance, storage, and distribution of the captured heat energy and power generated therefrom
11326479 · 2022-05-10 · ·

A stand-alone long-distance closed-loop heat energy capture, conveyance, and delivery system, comprises three closed-loop modules in serial communication. The first module is in communication with a first closed-loop piping infrastructure interconnected with a source of heat energy, and has a LBP liquid circulating therein whereby the LBP liquid is converted into its gas phase when flowing through the source of heat energy thereby capturing a portion of heat energy therefrom, and is converted into its liquid phase when flowing through a first heat exchanger that transfers the captured-heat energy to a second closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein also is circulating a LBP liquid. The second closed-loop module may extend for long distances. The captured-heat energy in the second module is transferred to a third closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is also circulating a LBP liquid. The captured-heat energy is transferred from the third module to a delivery site.

ELECTRICITY GENERATING SYSTEMS WITH THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE COUPLED SUPERHEATERS
20220025779 · 2022-01-27 ·

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for generating electricity. A method of generating electricity can include evaporating water with a low grade heat source to form low-temperature steam. The low-temperature steam can be superheated to a superheated temperature by transferring heat to the low-temperature steam from a thermal energy storage that is at a temperature higher than the superheated temperature. A steam turbine generator can be powered with the superheated steam to generate electricity. The thermal energy storage can be recharged using electricity from an intermittent electricity source.

Method, system and apparatus for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid
11225951 · 2022-01-18 ·

The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.

In Situ Geothermal Power
20210355921 · 2021-11-18 ·

A method of generating electricity from geothermal energy utilizing an in situ closed loop heat exchanger deep within the earth using a recirculating heat transfer fluid to power an in situ modular turbine and generator system within a vertical, large bore, deep, tunnel shaft. The shaft length and diameter are dependent on the shaft temperature and sustaining heat flux. The method further includes methods of deep shaft boring and excavating, liner placement and sealing, shaft transport systems, shaft Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, and operations and maintenance provisions. The method has few global location restrictions, maximizes thermal efficiency as to make power generation practical, has a small site surface footprint, does not interact with the environment, is sustainable, uses renewable energy, and is a zero release carbon and hazardous substance emitter.

Methods and systems to control flow and heat transfer between subsurface wellbores connected hydraulically by fractures
11808121 · 2023-11-07 · ·

A controlled rate of propagation of the fluid saturation front or thermal front is desired in may oil and gas and geothermal operations. Natural fractures and fractures created during hydraulic stimulation may have heterogeneous hydraulic properties resulting in uneven flow distributions, therefore leading to short-circuiting and breakthrough issues. The present invention relates to wellbores connected hydraulically by multiple fracture zones; methods are directed to control for even flow distribution among fractures, regardless of heterogeneities in fracture hydraulic properties, and to control propagation of saturation fronts and thermal fronts in subsurface reservoirs.

Heat exchange circuit for a geothermal plant
11802716 · 2023-10-31 · ·

A heat exchange circuit for a geothermal plant comprising a well excavated in the rock, a casing arranged inside the well, integral with it and comprising at least a first perforated section extending along a first portion of the well and at least a second perforated section extending along a second portion of the well, the perforated sections allowing the exit and the entry of a flow of geothermal fluid contained in an aquifer, an internal duct, located inside the casing in which a heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the well, the casing and the internal duct being arranged as a substantially closed ring, except for at least one surface interruption, at least one heat-exchange section at the bottom of the well between the first portion and the second portion of the well within which the geothermal fluid transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid.

SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY INTO MECHANICAL WORK

A system includes a pump for conveying a flow medium, an arrangement for converting the flow medium from a liquid state into a gaseous state, a turbomachine for converting the thermal energy of the flow medium into mechanical work, a condenser for condensing the gaseous flow medium into a liquid state, with a cooling unit for cooling the liquid flow medium being arranged upstream of the pump in order to reduce the compression work.