Patent classifications
F24T10/20
HEAT EXCHANGE CIRCUIT FOR A GEOTHERMAL PLANT
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.
HEAT EXCHANGE CIRCUIT FOR A GEOTHERMAL PLANT
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.
GEOTHERMAL PRODUCTION MONITORING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
Geothermal production monitoring systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example system includes a production well, an injection well, a downhole pump or a downhole compressor to control a production of a multiphase fluid including steam from the production well, a first fluid conduit to transport the multiphase fluid away from the production well, a surface pump disposed downstream of the first fluid conduit, and a second fluid conduit. The surface pump is to inject water into the injection well via the second fluid conduit. A flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the first fluid conduit. The example system includes a processor to control at least one of (a) the downhole pump or the downhole compressor or (b) the surface pump in response to fluid property data generated by the first flowmeter.
GEOTHERMAL PRODUCTION MONITORING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
Geothermal production monitoring systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example system includes a production well, an injection well, a downhole pump or a downhole compressor to control a production of a multiphase fluid including steam from the production well, a first fluid conduit to transport the multiphase fluid away from the production well, a surface pump disposed downstream of the first fluid conduit, and a second fluid conduit. The surface pump is to inject water into the injection well via the second fluid conduit. A flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the first fluid conduit. The example system includes a processor to control at least one of (a) the downhole pump or the downhole compressor or (b) the surface pump in response to fluid property data generated by the first flowmeter.
GEOTHERMAL POWER FROM SUPERHOT GEOTHERMAL FLUID AND MAGMA RESERVOIRS
System, method, and apparatus for harnessing geothermal power from superhot geothermal fluid (SHGF) and magma reservoirs. An exemplary apparatus can include a well screen coupled to an end of a casing string. The well screen, which is at least partially submerged within an underground reservoir, defines a volume in the underground reservoir that can be filled with superhot geothermal fluid. A slidable casing is aligned coaxially with the well screen and configured to be repositioned relative to the well screen. A draw pipe extending through the slidable casing is configured to convey SHGF from the underground reservoir towards the surface in response to the slidable casing being repositioned to obstruct more of a set of apertures in the well screen and an increase in pressure within a cavity of the slidable casing.
GEOTHERMAL POWER FROM SUPERHOT GEOTHERMAL FLUID AND MAGMA RESERVOIRS
System, method, and apparatus for harnessing geothermal power from superhot geothermal fluid (SHGF) and magma reservoirs. An exemplary apparatus can include a well screen coupled to an end of a casing string. The well screen, which is at least partially submerged within an underground reservoir, defines a volume in the underground reservoir that can be filled with superhot geothermal fluid. A slidable casing is aligned coaxially with the well screen and configured to be repositioned relative to the well screen. A draw pipe extending through the slidable casing is configured to convey SHGF from the underground reservoir towards the surface in response to the slidable casing being repositioned to obstruct more of a set of apertures in the well screen and an increase in pressure within a cavity of the slidable casing.
Optimized CO2 sequestration and enhanced geothermal system
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems for drilling and operating a well which may have dual uses. The well may be drilled and operated as a geothermal well using a hybrid approach where a heat transfer fluid is injected into a hot rock formation but is not removed, and heat is extracted using a closed loop method. The geothermal well is then evaluated for use as a carbon dioxide sequestration well. In other embodiments, the well is drilled as a carbon dioxide sequestration well and then evaluated for its potential for generating geothermal energy using a hybrid approach where supercritical carbon dioxide is injected into a hot rock formation but is not removed, and heat is extracted using a closed loop method. Both horizontal and vertical wells are disclosed, in sedimentary rocks and in basement granite.
Method and system for ultra-deep borehole geothermal energy harvesting
A multivessel system is provided for installing a production train in an ultra-deep borehole into the Earth's lithosphere. The system includes a plurality of gate valves and a plurality of pressure vessels, including a first pressure vessel having a first vessel elevator configured to engage and hold a production train section as the first vessel elevator moves in the first pressure vessel along a portion of a length of a train channel, a second pressure vessel having a second vessel elevator configured to engage and hold the production train section as the second vessel elevator moves in the second pressure vessel along another portion of the length of the train channel, and a third pressure vessel, with all three pressure vessels being configured to be water cooled. The system includes a train clamp configured to engage and hold the production train in the borehole. Each of the first vessel elevator and the second vessel elevator includes a clamp configured to engage and hold the train section as the respective first vessel elevator or the second vessel elevator moves along the train channel.
Method and system for ultra-deep borehole geothermal energy harvesting
A multivessel system is provided for installing a production train in an ultra-deep borehole into the Earth's lithosphere. The system includes a plurality of gate valves and a plurality of pressure vessels, including a first pressure vessel having a first vessel elevator configured to engage and hold a production train section as the first vessel elevator moves in the first pressure vessel along a portion of a length of a train channel, a second pressure vessel having a second vessel elevator configured to engage and hold the production train section as the second vessel elevator moves in the second pressure vessel along another portion of the length of the train channel, and a third pressure vessel, with all three pressure vessels being configured to be water cooled. The system includes a train clamp configured to engage and hold the production train in the borehole. Each of the first vessel elevator and the second vessel elevator includes a clamp configured to engage and hold the train section as the respective first vessel elevator or the second vessel elevator moves along the train channel.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGE INSTALLATION AND METHOD
A geothermal installation for collecting heat for the generation of electricity is provided. The installation includes a fluid transport system comprising at least one fluid injection bore extending from a thermoelectric generator located at or near the Earth's surface to a depth below the Earth's surface sufficient such that energy collected can produce electricity. In particular, a depth of at least 500 m, preferably at least 1500 m, and more preferably at least 3000 m is sufficient to see benefits. The fluid injection bore is connected at the said depth, respectively to a plurality of micro-tunnels which extend outwardly substantially horizontally or diagonally downwardly from a horizontal plane passing through the said depth, preferably interconnected in at least one array. The micro-tunnels in turn are connected with fluid return bores which return a heat transfer fluid to the thermoelectric generator. The fluid transport system is adapted for the flow therethrough to and from the thermoelectric generator of the heat transfer fluid.