Patent classifications
F24T2010/53
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 HEAT MINING SYSTEM
A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.
GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM AND THE CONSTRUCTION METHOD THEREOF
A geothermal development system includes a ground lifting system, a large-diameter shaft, an underground high temperature and high pressure heat transfer pool, a heat transfer diversion channel, a hot mine blasting fracture reservoir formed by an inlet blasting tunnel and a main tunnel, and a removable sealing device. The injection pipe and the collection pipe are set along the large diameter silo wall in the geothermal development system. The injection pipe is connected to the collection pipe through the heat transfer diversion channel in the dry hot rock. The circulation main roadway is arranged around the underground high temperature and high pressure heat transfer pool. Multiple blasting roadways are set along the main roadway level to form hot mine blasting fracture reservoir with loose blasting by caving method. A movable sealing device is arranged above the blasting layer of the large-diameter shaft.
HELICAL PILE WITH HEAT EXCHANGER
A helical pile including a heat exchanger is described. The pile is formed from a lead section and one or more extension sections. The interior of the lead and extension sections are hollow and form a heat exchanger cavity. At the lower end of the lead section is a helical blade. Rotation of the lead section causes the helical blade to screw into the ground, thus pulling the lead section downward. Extension sections are added to the lead section and the pile is rotated until it is installed to a desired depth. The pile includes an inflow tube extending a predetermined distance into the heat exchanger cavity and an outflow port connected with the heat exchanger cavity. In operation, a heat carrying fluid is pumped into the inflow tube from a heat source or sink, for example, a heat pump for a building heating and cooling system. The fluid exits the tube at a point near the bottom of the heat exchanger cavity. The fluid flows upward through the heat exchange cavity and exchanges heat with the surrounding soil. The fluid flows out through the outflow port and back to the heat source or sink.
OPERATIONAL PROTOCOL FOR HARVESTING A THERMALLY PRODUCTIVE FORMATION
Operational protocol sequences for recovering energy from a thermally productive formation are disclosed. Sealing, drilling, multiranging, power production and distribution techniques in predetermined sequences for well formation are utilized to recover energy regardless of thermal gradient variation, formation depth and permeability and other anomalies or impedances
GUIDANCE METHOD FOR MULTILATERAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
Guidance methods for guiding the drilling, of wells while reducing trajectory drift. Each drilled well incorporates signalling devices which are used together or in a selected sequence to guide additional well drilling. With the progressive addition of the signalling devices spacing, positioning and connection of wells, particularly multilateral wells, is focused and precise.
Multi-Channel Ground Heat Exchange Unit and Geothermal System
Geothermal energy is increasingly recognized as a useful energy source for both industrial and residential purposes. Disclosed herein are units for subterranean heat exchange comprising a polymer block with mini-channels adapted and/or sized for highly efficient heat exchange. In some embodiments such units can, as needed, be manufactured off site, spooled for transport, and conveniently installed in boreholes. Other arrangements are also described for conduits located within a borehole for heat exchange, without a polymer block. Also disclosed are geothermal heat exchange systems including those that employ such units, for example with direct expansion of a two-phase heat-exchange fluid such as carbon dioxide.
Method for the high speed indentation of a recyclable heat exchanger in a land-based infrastructure
A method for manufacturing a road surfacing on the surface pipes of a heat exchanger device by a) spreading asphalt mix comprising a granular fraction, a hydrocarbon-based binder at a temperature below 160 C., wherein the asphalt mix has a workability of less than 400 N, b) depositing the pipes, said pipes having a crushing strength greater than 3000 N per linear metre of pipe at 100 C., a thermal expansion less than 200.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1 at 20 C. in such a way as to enable their indentation even in the absence of cooling means or pressure application means, c) indenting the deposited pipes into said integration layer by compacting said asphalt mix during the workability period of said asphalt mix, to form an integration layer comprising the pipes of a heat exchanger device, and d) applying a surface layer there above for the road surface.
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.
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 hydraulically isolate a wellbore using a hydraulic isolation means, and 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.