The present disclosure details methods and systems for generating and recovering hydrogen from a depleted reservoir. The methods comprise several steps. Oxygen is introduced into a depleted reservoir. A fire flood is initiated, increasing temperature in the depleted reservoir and generating a gas mixture. The gas mixture is removed and transported to the surface. Energy is recovered from the gas mixture. Hydrogen is separated from the gas mixture, producing a depleted gas mixture and a hydrogen-rich gas mixture. The hydrogen-rich gas mixture is introduced into a subterranean storage formation.

The systems for generating and recovering hydrogen comprise a depleted reservoir comprising hydrocarbons, a subterranean storage formation where hydrogen gas is substantially present that is bounded on at least one side by an intermediate formation, a fluid pathway between the depleted reservoir and the subterranean storage formation, and a wellbore traversing the subterranean storage formation and the depleted reservoir.

An element includes an elastomer having a temperature rating of at least 400° F. for enhanced geothermal system applications. The elastomer element may be manufactured via an additive manufacturing process, and the elastomer element may be a component of an isolation plug assembly having a plurality of structural components that may also be manufactured via the additive manufacturing process.

A geothermal heat pump system includes a main heat exchanger, a borehole that penetrates an aquifer, and a ground loop. The main heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a ground loop flow and a heat distribution system. The ground loop includes a first and second groundwater heat exchangers, an input pipe and an output pipe. The groundwater heat exchangers are respectively contained in first and second zones within the borehole and are exposed to a groundwater flow within the aquifer. The input pipe is configured to deliver the ground loop flow from the main heat exchanger to the groundwater heat exchangers. The output pipe is configured to deliver the ground loop flow from the groundwater heat exchangers to the main heat exchanger. Heat exchange occurs between the ground loop flow within the groundwater heat exchangers and the groundwater flow.

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.

Provided is a geothermal heat system having reduced heat source residual heat of a geothermal heat pump. The geothermal heat system includes a ground heat exchanger unit, a geothermal heat pump, and a residual heat storage tank. A portion of heat source residual heat remaining in the geothermal heat pump is transferred on a geothermal heat exchange medium passing through the geothermal heat pump so as to be stored in the residual heat storage tank. As the internal temperature of the residual heat storage tank gradually becomes the same as the temperature of the underground, the thermal load of the underground is removed. At least a portion of the heat source residual heat produced during provision of cooling/heating to the location of use is processed, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the geothermal heat system having reduced heat source residual heat of a geothermal heat pump.

A groundwater heat exchanger includes a distributor, a collector, a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and a housing. The distributor includes a first interior chamber and a first port. The collector includes a second interior chamber and a second port. Each heat exchange pipe includes a first end attached to the distributor and a second end attached to the collector, and defines a fluid passageway between the first and second interior chambers. The housing surrounds the heat exchange pipes and defines a groundwater passageway along the heat exchange pipes that is configured to receive a groundwater flow. In one example, a loop fluid flow received at the first port flows into the first interior chamber, then flows from the first interior chamber to the second interior chamber through the plurality of heat exchange pipes, and flows from the second interior chamber out the second port.

A device for energy transfer and for energy storage in a liquid reservoir has a water heat exchanger arranged on a bottom and has an air heat exchanger arranged above the water heat exchanger, wherein the water heat exchanger is arranged in a liquid reservoir that is surrounded by an inner shell which delimits the device with respect to an outer shell covering the inner shell from the bottom, wherein the outer shell is at least partially inserted into an earth layer, and the device is closed upwardly by a lid in such a way as to make it possible to generate a flow of air from an air inlet to an air outlet of the air heat exchanger.

A geothermal heat containment barrier operable to be manipulated through an opening of a vault by at least partially folding the geothermal heat containment barrier, and positioned substantially horizontally against walls of the vault to reduce heat transfer through the barrier is provided. The barrier includes a central insulating core, a flexible outer frame, and an outer sealing trim. The central insulating core includes top and bottom outer surfaces and a perimeter edge. The central insulating core includes and/or contains an insulating material. The flexible outer frame has a shape memory and includes at least one flexible component having ends together such that the flexible outer frame is continuous and closed. The outer sealing trim is attached to the top and bottom outer surfaces and wraps around the perimeter edge of the central insulating core. The outer sealing trim is operable to press against the wall of the vault.

An inground geothermal system has an upper end extending above ground level at a height to support a wind turbine. The wind turbine generates an electrical current for use by the geothermal system or for storage in batteries.

A geothermal heat exchange apparatus is disclosed that includes a central conduit, a plurality of pipes, at least one fitting and a joint. The geothermal heat exchange apparatus is preassembled for insertion into a bore hole and for connection to a supply primary pipe and a return primary pipe that are in fluid communication with a heat pump. The geothermal heat exchange apparatus includes the plurality of pipes in a helical arrangement around the central conduit for geothermal heat exchange. The at least one fitting is fixedly connected to a first end portion of the central conduit in the bore hole.