F24T10/17

SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED THERMAL SYPHONING
20230296290 · 2023-09-21 ·

The present disclosure relates to an enhanced thermal syphoning system, comprising a first well and a second well extending though a permeable geological layer, each well having: an inlet channel to introduce a fluid into the well and an inlet valve to control an inlet fluid flow rate into the inlet channel; an outlet channel to draw geologically heated fluid from the well and an outlet valve to control an outlet fluid flow rate from the outlet channel; and an opening in the inlet channel adjacent the permeable geological layer wherein fluid in the inlet channel of the first well and the inlet channel of the second well is communicated therebetween via the permeable geological layer, the fluid entering and exiting the inlet channels through the openings therein, such that each inlet and each outlet valve can be adjusted to vary a flow volume of the fluid between the first well and the second well to thereby control a temperature of the heated fluid drawn from each well. The plurality of wells within the system generates fluid movement along and around outer casings of the plurality of wells to improve a heating effect of the wells and to control fluid flow through the wells. The plurality of wells may be configured in a series of adjacent wells or in a series of patterned or nested wells.

Geoexchange systems including ground source heat exchangers and related methods

A geoexchange system is provided which includes a ground source heat exchanger positioned in the ground and a distribution system coupled to the ground source heat exchanger to circulate water through the ground source heat exchanger during operation. The distribution system may include a supply line, a return line and a circulation pump to circulate water through the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger via the supply and return lines. The distribution system may further include a purge valve to release gas from the distribution system and a fill circuit that is configured to automatically replenish the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger with water upon leakage of water from the ground source heat exchanger or conversion of water from the ground source heat exchanger to gas. Other geoexchange systems and related methods are also provided.

Geoexchange systems including ground source heat exchangers and related methods

A geoexchange system is provided which includes a ground source heat exchanger positioned in the ground and a distribution system coupled to the ground source heat exchanger to circulate water through the ground source heat exchanger during operation. The distribution system may include a supply line, a return line and a circulation pump to circulate water through the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger via the supply and return lines. The distribution system may further include a purge valve to release gas from the distribution system and a fill circuit that is configured to automatically replenish the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger with water upon leakage of water from the ground source heat exchanger or conversion of water from the ground source heat exchanger to gas. Other geoexchange systems and related methods are also provided.

GEOTHERMAL POWER FROM SUPERHOT GEOTHERMAL FLUID AND MAGMA RESERVOIRS
20230272946 · 2023-08-31 ·

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.

Power generation model based on a transcritical cycle with an increasing-pressure endothermic process using CO2-based mixture working fluids for an enhanced geothermal system

It is provided a power generation model based on a transcritical cycle with an increasing-pressure endothermic process using CO.sub.2-based mixture working fluids for an enhanced geothermal system, including a geothermal water circulation, a mixture working fluid circulation and a cooling water circulation. A coaxial pipe-in-pipe downhole heat exchanger is provided in the mixture working fluid circulation. Innovations are reflected in that an increasing-pressure endothermic process is achieved due to making use of gravity and hence increase a heat quantity absorbed in a cycle, thereby improving power generation quantity of the cycle; and a binary mixture working fluid composed of CO.sub.2 and an organic working fluid is adopted to realize a transcritical power cycle with an increasing-pressure endothermic process and a decreasing-temperature exothermic process, thereby effectively reducing irreversibility of a heat transfer between a working fluid and a heat source and improving power cycle efficiency.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF GENERATING ELECTRICITY USING HEAT FROM WITHIN THE EARTH
20220282716 · 2022-09-08 ·

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.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF GENERATING ELECTRICITY USING HEAT FROM WITHIN THE EARTH
20220282716 · 2022-09-08 ·

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.

Ladder-structural gravity-assisted-heat-pipe geothermal energy recovery system without liquid-accumulation effect

A ladder-structural gravity-assisted-heat-pipe geothermal energy recovery system without liquid-accumulation effect, comprises a ladder-structural gravity-assisted heat pipe, a condenser, and a liquid tank. The ladder-structural gravity-assisted heat pipe comprises a return pipe, an outer pipe and an inner pipe. The return pipe is provided in a space between the outer pipe and the inner pipe and communicated with the liquid tank, and the space between the outer pipe and the inner pipe is divided to form a ladder structure. A liquid working medium flows from the liquid tank through the return pipe into each section sequentially, absorbs heat from a high-temperature rock through a wall of the outer pipe, vaporizes into a gaseous working medium, gets into the inner pipe, and rises to the condenser to condense and flows to the liquid tank to circulate. Such design greatly improves the heat transfer efficiency in geothermal energy recovery using ultra-long heat pipes.

Geothermal Energy System
20220243707 · 2022-08-04 ·

The invention is a broadly dispatchable, optimized low to medium temperature (about 350° F. to 600° F.) geothermal energy production system to generate electricity. The invention comprises (i) a pipeline for the closed circulation of a working fluid which absorbs subterranean heat to create a superheated fluid during circulation, (ii) a pump for circulating the heatable fluid at high volumes, (iii) a chamber to convert the superheated fluid into a vapor, (iv) a heat exchanger to extract heat from the vapor, (v) an Organic Rankine Cycle engine (or similar device) powered by extracted heat and (v) a turbine driven by the Organic Rankine Cycle engine to produce electricity.

Geothermal Energy System
20220243707 · 2022-08-04 ·

The invention is a broadly dispatchable, optimized low to medium temperature (about 350° F. to 600° F.) geothermal energy production system to generate electricity. The invention comprises (i) a pipeline for the closed circulation of a working fluid which absorbs subterranean heat to create a superheated fluid during circulation, (ii) a pump for circulating the heatable fluid at high volumes, (iii) a chamber to convert the superheated fluid into a vapor, (iv) a heat exchanger to extract heat from the vapor, (v) an Organic Rankine Cycle engine (or similar device) powered by extracted heat and (v) a turbine driven by the Organic Rankine Cycle engine to produce electricity.