Patent classifications
F24T10/13
Method for thermal profile control and energy recovery in geothermal wells
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.
Controlled liquid/solid mobility using external fields on lubricant-impregnated surfaces
A method for precise control of movement of a motive phase on a lubricant-impregnated surface includes providing a lubricant-impregnated surface, introducing the motive phase onto the lubricant-impregnated surface, and exposing the droplets to an electric and/or magnetic field to induce controlled movement of the droplets on the surface. The lubricant-impregnated surface includes a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating lubricant therebetween or therewithin. The motive phase is immiscible or scarcely miscible with the impregnating lubricant.
Controlled liquid/solid mobility using external fields on lubricant-impregnated surfaces
A method for precise control of movement of a motive phase on a lubricant-impregnated surface includes providing a lubricant-impregnated surface, introducing the motive phase onto the lubricant-impregnated surface, and exposing the droplets to an electric and/or magnetic field to induce controlled movement of the droplets on the surface. The lubricant-impregnated surface includes a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating lubricant therebetween or therewithin. The motive phase is immiscible or scarcely miscible with the impregnating lubricant.
Efficient geothermal heat energy extraction system
A system for extracting geothermal heat energy: includes a geothermal well formed in surrounding crust material and extending from a well top part down to a depth where the surrounding crust material has elevated geothermal temperatures. The geothermal well includes a heat medium contained within geothermal well walls. The heat medium is heated at a well bottom part by heat extracted from the surrounding crust material, evaporating and rising to carry heat energy towards the well top part. A heat extractor, extracts heat energy from the heat medium at the well top part. At least one heat conductive path extends outwardly from the geothermal well into the crust material to conduct geothermal heat from the crust material surrounding the path towards the well bottom part.
Efficient geothermal heat energy extraction system
A system for extracting geothermal heat energy: includes a geothermal well formed in surrounding crust material and extending from a well top part down to a depth where the surrounding crust material has elevated geothermal temperatures. The geothermal well includes a heat medium contained within geothermal well walls. The heat medium is heated at a well bottom part by heat extracted from the surrounding crust material, evaporating and rising to carry heat energy towards the well top part. A heat extractor, extracts heat energy from the heat medium at the well top part. At least one heat conductive path extends outwardly from the geothermal well into the crust material to conduct geothermal heat from the crust material surrounding the path towards the well bottom part.
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 embodiment is directed to a cased wellbore includes a well casing suspended within a borehole that extends between a surface and an underground reservoir of magma and a boiler casing housed within the well casing and extending between the surface and the underground reservoir of magma. The boiler casing has a first end submerged within the underground reservoir of magma and a terminal end opposite to the first end. The cased wellbore also includes a fluid conduit housed within the boiler casing and configured to deliver a liquid-phase fluid to the terminal end of the boiler casing. A temperature and a pressure at the terminal end of the boiler casing converts the liquid-phase fluid into a gas-phase fluid that travels through the boiler casing towards the surface. The cased wellbore also includes a well head connected to the first end of the boiler 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 embodiment is directed to a cased wellbore includes a well casing suspended within a borehole that extends between a surface and an underground reservoir of magma and a boiler casing housed within the well casing and extending between the surface and the underground reservoir of magma. The boiler casing has a first end submerged within the underground reservoir of magma and a terminal end opposite to the first end. The cased wellbore also includes a fluid conduit housed within the boiler casing and configured to deliver a liquid-phase fluid to the terminal end of the boiler casing. A temperature and a pressure at the terminal end of the boiler casing converts the liquid-phase fluid into a gas-phase fluid that travels through the boiler casing towards the surface. The cased wellbore also includes a well head connected to the first end of the boiler casing.
Connectors for high temperature geothermal wells
Connectors may be used for connecting case settings in high temperature wells, such as geothermal or oil wells. The connector is simple in design and is able to take up thermal expansion due to temperature change when high temperature media starts to flow through the casings and when the well needs to be cooled down for maintenance.
Geothermal based water desalination system with multiple tanks
The water desalination system using geothermal energy includes a plurality of heat transfer rods. Desalinated water flows into the injector and reaches the evaporation chamber, wherein the evaporation chamber receives heat geothermally via a plurality of heat transfer rods 18. Further, the heat transfer rods 18 heat the water in the evaporation chamber, which results in the formation of steam. The steam is carried to one or more storage tanks by means of one or more pipes. The steam generated from the evaporation chamber on reaching the storage tanks get condensed and water is formed.
IN SITU GEOTHERMAL POWER
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.