F03G4/026

Power Generation System and Method
20230250603 · 2023-08-10 ·

A multiphase fluid pressurized hydroelectric power generation system is disclosed. The system comprises a combination of fluids in the liquid and gas phase in contact with each other, a plurality of water reservoirs where at least one is a closeable water reservoir comprising a closeable volume i.e. a confined space where all fluid flow in and out is controlled, and a source of pressurized fluid arranged for supplying pressurized fluid to the at least one closeable water reservoir. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Methods for electrical power generation using the energy content of fluids produced from the earth
11781530 · 2023-10-10 · ·

Systems and methods are described for generating electricity from fluid produced from a subsurface formation. The disclosed systems and methods include generating electrical power using the energy content of fluids produced from the earth or hot fluids created during surface processing of the produced fluids. Fluid is obtained from a well in the subsurface formation and provided to a first power generation device where a pressure and a temperature of the fluid is adjusted to a pressure and a temperature compatible with the first power generation device using one or more valves coupled to the first power generation device. The first power generation device generates electricity from the fluid. One or more second power generation devices also generate electricity using the fluid where one of the second power generation devices is a thermoelectric generator.

ENHANCED CARBON DIOXIDE-BASED GEOTHERMAL ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
20230313650 · 2023-10-05 ·

A system comprises an injection well for accessing reservoir at a first temperature; a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir; a working-fluid supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature heats the working fluid to a third temperature and at least a portion of the working fluid at the third temperature is produced as a production fluid; and an energy recovery system that converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity or heat, wherein the energy recovery system includes a waste heat recovery apparatus that recovers waste heat and uses it to heat the production fluid to a fourth temperature that is higher than the third temperature, wherein the waste heat is recovered from equipment of or a process stream.

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.

Systems and methods for geothermal energy generation with two-phase working fluid
11821408 · 2023-11-21 · ·

A system comprises a production well having an inlet in fluid communication with an underground reservoir, wherein the reservoir is at a first temperature and contains a native aqueous solution, a working fluid withdrawn from the reservoir into the inlet and through the production well. The working fluid comprises a non-water component and an aqueous component comprising a portion of the aqueous solution. The system further comprises a separation apparatus in communication with the production well configured to separate the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid, wherein the aqueous component is from more than 0 wt. % to no more than a specified threshold of the dewatered working fluid. The system also includes an energy recovery system that comprises an expansion device through which the dewatered working fluid passes and produces work energy and a generator that converts the work energy to electricity.

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.

METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY IN AN OIL PLATFORM AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME
20220282695 · 2022-09-08 ·

A method for producing electricity from an existing oil platform designed to extract petroleum oil from an underground deposit comprises the following steps: extracting a mixture of petroleum oil and water from the underground deposit under a pressure P2 via a first extraction pipe (11); circulating the extracted mixture so as to actuate an electricity generating turbine by kinetic energy in order to generate electricity; and supplying a power grid with at least a fraction of the electricity generated by the generating turbine.

METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION USING THE ENERGY CONTENT OF FLUIDS PRODUCED FROM THE EARTH
20220286020 · 2022-09-08 ·

Systems and methods are described for generating electricity from fluid produced from a subsurface formation. The disclosed systems and methods include generating electrical power using the energy content of fluids produced from the earth or hot fluids created during surface processing of the produced fluids. Specific systems and methods describe utilizing heat and pressure of oil, gas, or water to generate electrical power.

Renewable geothermal energy harvesting systems and methods
11434880 · 2022-09-06 ·

Renewable geothermal energy harvesting methods may include distributing at least one working fluid from a ground surface into thermal contact with a subterranean geothermal formation; transferring thermal energy from the geothermal formation to the working fluid; distributing the working fluid to the ground surface; and distributing the working fluid directly to at least one thermal application system. Renewable geothermal energy harvesting systems are also disclosed.

SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING AND MAINTAINING POWER PLANT PERFORMANCE
20210332806 · 2021-10-28 ·

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.