Patent classifications
F24T2010/53
Enhancing Geothermal Energy Production in a Well
A method for recompleting a well is applied to a well such that the recompleted well can thermally transfer geothermal energy to surface. The recompleting method can comprise steps to enhance the thermal conductivity of a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well, by inserting a thermal material into the wellbore that displaces a reservoir fluid having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal material. The recompleting method can also comprise steps to enhance the thermal conductivity of a reservoir in which the wellbore is located by inserting a thermal material into the reservoir that displaces a reservoir fluid having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal material, or in which the reservoir is fractured, and a thermal material is inserted into created fractures.
Heat transfer pipe embedded in a prefabricated pipe pile and embedding method
A heat transfer pipe embedded in a prefabricated pipe pile including a plurality of prefabricated pipe piles, a heat transfer pipe component and a pump assembly; the prefabricated pipe pile sealed by closing the bottom thereof and sides of which are provided with inclined holes; a locking pin provided at an inner wall of the pipe pile; a steel plate provided on the locking pin, and a steel bar structure bound on the steel plate; the heat transfer pipe component comprises a horizontal heat transfer pipe communicated with a vertical heat transfer pipe with both pipes communicated with the pump assembly, the horizontal pipe embedded and fixed via the steel bar structure, the vertical heat transfer pipe passes through the inclined holes and fixed in the pipe pile via a steel bar bracket.
Systems and methods for coupling and decoupling drill heads for ground loop preparation for geothermal applications
The technology relates to systems and methods for creating openings in ground material in order to install ground loops for geothermal heating and cooling applications. As an example, a system for creating an opening in ground material may include a first drill head configured as a pipe pulling drill head and a second drill head configured for attachment with a boring tool. When attached to an end of a pipe, the first drill head is configured to pull the pipe into the opening in ground material. The second drill head may include a drilling portion and an opening opposite of the drilling portion, the opening including a first chamber that tapers towards a second chamber. The first drill head also includes a drilling end configured for a locking fit within the second chamber.
COILED TUBING FOR RADIATOR ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
A radiator (RAD) enhanced geothermal system (EGS) may comprise a radiator vane heat exchanger (RVHE). The RVHE may be configured to be located in a plane defined by an injector well and a production well that is defined by a principal stress direction (S.sub.1) of a plurality of principal stress directions and a maximum horizontal stress component (SH.sub.max). The RVHE may include one or more stacked laterals oriented along SH.sub.max. Each stacked lateral, of the one or more stacked laterals, may include one or more vertical branches oriented along Si. The RVHE may be configured to extract energy from a non-hydrothermal source of energy.
Systems and methods of generating electricity using heat from within the earth
Systems and methods for producing energy from a geothermal formation. A heat exchanger can be disposed within a well to absorb heat from a geothermal formation. The heat exchanger can be supported within the well using a high thermal conductivity material. The heat exchanger is connected to an organic Rankine cycle engine including a secondary heat exchanger and a turbine. The primary and secondary heat transfer fluids are chosen to maximize efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGER
A borehole is bored to a borehole target depth in a site and a geothermal heat exchanger is inserted into and then secured in the borehole at the desired depth. Once the heat exchanger has been secured in the borehole, the heat exchanger has a closed distal end and an open proximal end and has at least one fluid path between the closed distal end and the open proximal end, with installation fluid disposed in the fluid path(s). After securing the heat exchanger in the borehole and before excavation of a portion of the site immediately surrounding the borehole, the heat exchanger is temporarily sealed by installing, through the open proximal end, at least one respective internal seal in each fluid path. For each fluid path, the internal seal(s) will be disposed below a respective notional subgrade depth and excavation of the site immediately surrounding the borehole can proceed.
VERTICAL HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
A ground source heat exchanger (110) is described herein, The ground source heat exchanger (110) including: a first fluid conduit (112), the first fluid conduit having a first arcuate configuration with a first plurality of separate passages (114) extending therethrough; a second fluid conduit (116), the second fluid conduit having a second arcuate configuration with a second plurality of separate passages (118) extending therethrough; and an end cap (120) secured to a distal end (122) of the first fluid conduit and a distal end (124) of the second fluid conduit, wherein the end cap fluidly couples the first plurality of separate passages of the first fluid conduit to the second plurality of separate passages of the second fluid conduit, wherein the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit when secured to the end cap define an internal cavity (126) extending through the ground source heat exchanger.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGE RESERVOIRS AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs with flexible reservoir bodies that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction. The reservoirs include first and second ports, one of which has an elongate internal tube that has a bottom that resides adjacent a bottom of the reservoir body and a series of apertures on only a lower portion of the internal tube to intake or output liquid depending on flow direction.
HYBRID THERMOSIPHON SYSTEM
The disclosure relates to a thermosiphon system operable to consistently maintain the permafrost and active frost layer in a frozen condition to adequately support buildings and other structures. During cooler seasons, the thermosiphon system uses a passive refrigeration cycle to efficiently maintain the frozen layers using the cold air. When the air temperature rises during the warmer months, the system transitions into an active refrigeration mode that uses a refrigeration system to minimize thawing or degradation of the permafrost and active frost layers.
Semi-permeable expanding sleeve system for borehole pipe spreading configurations and method of spreading pipes in a borehole
A semi-permeable expanding sleeve system for pipe spreading in a borehole is disclosed. The system has an expansion sleeve, a grout injection pipe and a high-solids grout mixture. The expansion sleeve has a top end and a bottom end. The grout injection pipe has a first end, a second end, an inlet and at least one outlet. The grout injection pipe is insertable through the open top end of the expansion sleeve such that the at least one outlet is positionable within the expansion sleeve and the inlet is positionable adjacent the top end of the expansion sleeve. The grout mixture is pumped through the grout injection pipe into the expansion sleeve using a pump. A closing mechanism is provided for closing the expansion sleeve around the grout injection pipe to create a semi-permeable enclosure.