WO2003012295A1 - Geothermal power generation - Google Patents
Geothermal power generation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003012295A1 WO2003012295A1 PCT/US2001/023477 US0123477W WO03012295A1 WO 2003012295 A1 WO2003012295 A1 WO 2003012295A1 US 0123477 W US0123477 W US 0123477W WO 03012295 A1 WO03012295 A1 WO 03012295A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- well bore
- water
- well
- rock strata
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24T—GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
- F24T10/00—Geothermal collectors
- F24T10/10—Geothermal collectors with circulation of working fluids through underground channels, the working fluids not coming into direct contact with the ground
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G4/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from geothermal energy
- F03G4/074—Safety arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24T—GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
- F24T10/00—Geothermal collectors
- F24T2010/50—Component parts, details or accessories
- F24T2010/53—Methods for installation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/10—Geothermal energy
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a geothermal power generations system and more particularly to an improved geothermal power generation system in which the water in the hot rock strata is not used and water from an outside source is used and can be recycled.
- Geothermal power generation systems have been used for years.
- the usual system comprises drilling a well into a hot rock strata containing hot water. If the strata is dry and hot, then water may be pumped into the well and into the hot rock strata.
- the hot rock strata either contains hot water or will heat the water that is pumped in until it reaches a temperature and pressure that exceeds the conditions necessary for the formation of steam.
- the hot water flows or is pumped out of the well and when the pressure is released the hot water and steam are separated and the steam is used to operate a turbine that turns an electrical generator or some other mechanism.
- the generator may be connected to a power grid for transport of the electricity to the point of use or the power may be used on site.
- the ground water may require treatment before it is returned to the hot rock strata. It has been found that in current geothermal power generation systems the natural water or the water that is pumped into the hot rock strata is highly contaminated. The water is generally high in solids and may contain scaling or corrosive chemicals, or both and requires treatment before it can be returned to the hot rock strata. After the steam is used to turn a turbine and the steam condensed to its water phase, the resulting water is contaminated and requires treatment before passage through the piping and processing basins and before it can be returned to the hot rock strata.
- the present invention overcomes these difficulties and has for one of its objects the provision of an improved geothermal generation system in which the water obtaining heat from the hot rock strata does not become contaminated so that it can be recycled, does not require chemical treatment beyond that used in standard boiler water treatment, and is economical in the amount of water used.
- Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the turbine turning a generator or other mechanism that is to be powered by the steam needed not be located near the input well that is used to receive water into the ground and can be at a location remote from that well.
- Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the system is more efficient.
- Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the system is easy to install because the wells can be drilled by horizontal well drilling techniques in common use in the oil industry.
- the improved geothermal power generation system is simple to use.
- Another object of the present invention is that the system is maintained without withdrawing water from the strata so that the pressure in the strata is maintained.
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the geothermal power generation system using a
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the geothermal power system combining the inlet and outlet in a single well.
- the geothermal power generation system of the present invention comprises an input well 1 which is sunk into the ground 2 through the surface 3 until it strikes the hot rock layer or strata 4 in the ground 2.
- an output well 5 is also formed which penetrates the surface 3 and also extends into the hot rock strata 4.
- the well is turned from vertical to horizontal 6 and is drilled through the hot rock strata 4 and when adequate distance for heating the water is reached, the well bore is turned to the vertical and drilled until it reaches the surface.
- the input well 1, the horizontal well bore 6 ⁇ and the output well 5 form a continuous path from the surface, down to the hot rock strata, up through the overlying material and reaching the surface through well 5.
- the well bore 6 is shown as being horizontal. However, it will be understood that the well bore 6 may have a different orientation if desired. As shown in the drawing, more than one horizontal well can be drilled from a single vertical well.
- a generator turbine assembly 10 or some other mechanism that is to be operated by steam, is located near the output well 5 and is connected to the output well 5 so that steam leaving the output well 5 will operate
- the generator turbine assembly 10 or similar mechanism to produce power or perform some other function.
- the well bore 6 is lined and/or made of material that resists corrosion 7 so that the water/steam does not come into contact with the hot rock strata 4.
- the wells 1 and 5 and the well bore 6 may be cemented in place in accordance with the standard oil and water well practice. Hence the water/steam remains clean and can be recycled after it operates the generator turbine assembly and no water is wasted.
- the input well 1 and the output well 5 also lined with non-corrosive casing 8 and 9, respectively, and the casing cemented in place, so that when the water enters the input well 1 it does not come into contact with the ground rock 2 and is not contaminated and when the steam exits from the output well 5, it will not become contaminated since it will not come into contact with the ground rock 2.
- the water/steam remains clean and can be recycled without danger of contamination.
- the system of the present invention saves water since the water need not be discarded and saves the expensive treatment required if contaminated ground water is circulated through the system.
- the present invention permits the output well 5 to be located at a place remote from the input well 1.
- the outlet well 5 can be built close to the generator turbine assembly 10. If for some reason it is not feasible for the input well 1 to be located near the generator turbine assembly 10 it can be dug at a location remote from the input well 1 since the well bore 6 may be of any desired length provided that it mostly is located in the hot rock strata, and as a minimum, needs to be long enough to heat the water to steam, without adversely affecting efficiency and operation of the system of the present invention.
- the present invention provides an improved geothermal power generation system in which the water entering the hot rock strata is not contaminated so that it can be recycled, in which the generator turbine or other mechanism that is powered by the steam need not be located near the input well that is used to receive water into the ground and can be at a location remote from that well, which will not waste water,
- FIG. 2 A variation of the system described above is shown in Figure 2. All of the element of the System shown in Figure 1 are present. The same results are accomplished with a single vertical well and one or more horizontal wells. The water is returned to the horizontal reach of the well with a tubing that extends down the casing and discharges at the end of the casing. The water is converted to steam as it flows back out the single well and hence to the turbine.
- the treated water may be at either end of the hot water let or distributed along all or part of the hot water leg.
- hot legs there be one or more hot legs.
- the hot legs may all operate at the same time or they may be used in sequence with one hot leg in operation while the other legs are heating up until the other legs are ready and are sequentially put into service.
- the hot leg is shown as being level, but it may slope up or down. The slope may be changed in order to improve the position in the hot rock strata.
- the hot leg may require cleaning at infrequent intervals. If required, the water inlet pipe is removed and a cleaning mechanism is run into or through the line. This loosens the objectionable material, which is usually scale. The debris can then be pushed out of the pipe
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (8)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/569,389 US6301894B1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-05-12 | Geothermal power generator |
| NZ525544A NZ525544A (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| JP2003517451A JP2004522071A (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| CA002425480A CA2425480A1 (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| EP01957256A EP1409870A4 (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| PCT/US2001/023477 WO2003012295A1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| PL01361021A PL361021A1 (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
| IS6774A IS6774A (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2003-04-10 | Geothermal energy production |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/569,389 US6301894B1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-05-12 | Geothermal power generator |
| PCT/US2001/023477 WO2003012295A1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2003012295A1 true WO2003012295A1 (en) | 2003-02-13 |
Family
ID=26680539
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2001/023477 Ceased WO2003012295A1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2001-07-25 | Geothermal power generation |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6301894B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2003012295A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (38)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6539718B2 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2003-04-01 | Ormat Industries Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for producing power and desalinated water |
| GB0321864D0 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2003-10-22 | Borealis Tech Ltd | Geothermal power generator |
| US7124583B2 (en) * | 2004-01-19 | 2006-10-24 | Borealis Technical Limited | Geothermal power generator |
| EP1607627A1 (en) * | 2004-06-10 | 2005-12-21 | Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO | Contaminant abatement method and system for geothermal plant |
| US20070245729A1 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2007-10-25 | Mickleson D Lynn | Directional geothermal energy system and method |
| US20080148732A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-06-26 | Genedics Llc | System and Method for Creating a Geothermal Roadway Utility |
| US7566980B2 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2009-07-28 | Genedics Clean Energy, Llc | System and method for creating a geothermal roadway utility with alternative energy pumping system |
| US20080148733A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-06-26 | Genedics Llc | System and method for creating a closed-loop riparian geothermal infrastructure |
| US7656050B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2010-02-02 | William Riley | Hydroelectric pumped-storage |
| US20090211757A1 (en) * | 2008-02-21 | 2009-08-27 | William Riley | Utilization of geothermal energy |
| US8215104B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2012-07-10 | William Riley | Energy from subterranean reservoir fluid |
| US8381523B2 (en) | 2009-05-27 | 2013-02-26 | Zadok Eli | Geothermal electricity production methods and geothermal energy collection systems |
| US20110048005A1 (en) * | 2009-08-26 | 2011-03-03 | Mchargue Timothy Reed | Loop geothermal system |
| US20110067399A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | 7238703 Canada Inc. | Geothermal power system |
| EA018364B1 (en) * | 2010-10-18 | 2013-07-30 | Товарищество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Научно-Внедренческий Центр Алмас" | Geothermal power unit |
| AU2011328932B2 (en) | 2010-11-16 | 2016-06-02 | InnerGeo LLC | System and method for extracting energy |
| US8650875B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-02-18 | Dwpna, Llc | Direct exchange geothermal refrigerant power advanced generating system |
| WO2012079078A2 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2012-06-14 | Global Carbon Solutions, Inc. | Passive heat extraction and power generation |
| US20120174581A1 (en) * | 2011-01-06 | 2012-07-12 | Vaughan Susanne F | Closed-Loop Systems and Methods for Geothermal Electricity Generation |
| AU2012286516B2 (en) * | 2011-07-15 | 2015-07-09 | Garry HINE | System and method for power generation using a hybrid geothermal power plant including a nuclear plant |
| US8610303B2 (en) | 2012-01-04 | 2013-12-17 | John R. Yocum, JR. | System and method for downhole geothermal electrical power generation |
| TW201402943A (en) | 2012-01-27 | 2014-01-16 | 深井電源有限責任公司 | Single well, gravity geothermal system for energy extraction |
| US20150285226A1 (en) * | 2014-04-04 | 2015-10-08 | Richard James Archambeau | Geothermal Energy Production Using a Closed-Loop Heat Exchange System |
| CN114542045A (en) | 2015-09-24 | 2022-05-27 | 地热解决方案有限责任公司 | Geothermal heat harvester |
| CN107388611A (en) * | 2017-09-21 | 2017-11-24 | 中盐勘察设计院有限公司 | A kind of method that rock salt bittern is preheated with directional-butted well |
| CA3013374A1 (en) | 2017-10-31 | 2019-04-30 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for repurposing well sites for geothermal energy production |
| CA3041002A1 (en) * | 2017-11-18 | 2019-05-18 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method for generating geothermal power with sealed closed well loops |
| AU2019202101A1 (en) | 2018-05-10 | 2019-11-28 | Eavor Technologies Inc | Fluid for use in power production environments |
| CA3044153C (en) * | 2018-07-04 | 2020-09-15 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method for forming high efficiency geothermal wellbores |
| CA3167574C (en) | 2018-08-12 | 2026-03-17 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method for thermal profile control and energy recovery in geothermal wells |
| IT201900006817A1 (en) * | 2019-05-14 | 2020-11-14 | Turboden Spa | HEAT EXCHANGE CIRCUIT FOR GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM |
| CA3083575C (en) | 2019-06-27 | 2022-01-04 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Operational protocol for harvesting a thermally productive formation |
| CA3100013C (en) | 2020-04-21 | 2023-03-14 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method for forming high efficiency geothermal wellbores using phase change materials |
| CA3085901C (en) * | 2020-07-06 | 2024-01-09 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Method for configuring wellbores in a geologic formation |
| WO2022018674A1 (en) | 2020-07-21 | 2022-01-27 | Eavor Technologies Inc. | Construction and operation of conductive and convective geothermal wells |
| KR20230039737A (en) | 2020-08-28 | 2023-03-21 | 이버 테크놀로지스 인크. | Cooling for Geothermal Well Drilling |
| US12129836B2 (en) | 2020-10-07 | 2024-10-29 | Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System | Geothermal well designs and control thereof for extraction of subsurface geothermal power |
| IT202100017711A1 (en) * | 2021-07-06 | 2023-01-06 | Geolog S R L | METHOD FOR INSTALLING A GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM, METHOD FOR USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, AND GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3864208A (en) * | 1972-04-11 | 1975-02-04 | Watase Kinichi | Geothermal-nuclear waste disposal and conversion system |
| US5311741A (en) * | 1992-10-09 | 1994-05-17 | Blaize Louis J | Hybrid electric power generation |
| US5911684A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1999-06-15 | Shnell; James H. | System for geothermal production of electricity |
Family Cites Families (14)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3274769A (en) | 1964-05-05 | 1966-09-27 | J B Reynolds Inc | Ground heat steam generator |
| US3470943A (en) | 1967-04-21 | 1969-10-07 | Allen T Van Huisen | Geothermal exchange system |
| SU322084A1 (en) * | 1970-03-23 | 1973-10-26 | DEVICE FOR EXTRACTION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY | |
| US3765477A (en) * | 1970-12-21 | 1973-10-16 | Huisen A Van | Geothermal-nuclear energy release and recovery system |
| US3857244A (en) | 1973-11-02 | 1974-12-31 | R Faucette | Energy recovery and conversion system |
| US4052857A (en) | 1976-10-06 | 1977-10-11 | The Dow Chemical Company | Geothermal energy from salt formations |
| US4137720A (en) * | 1977-03-17 | 1979-02-06 | Rex Robert W | Use of calcium halide-water as a heat extraction medium for energy recovery from hot rock systems |
| JPS5452349A (en) | 1977-09-30 | 1979-04-24 | Ushio Nagase | Natural steam power application system |
| US4223729A (en) * | 1979-01-12 | 1980-09-23 | Foster John W | Method for producing a geothermal reservoir in a hot dry rock formation for the recovery of geothermal energy |
| US4290266A (en) | 1979-09-04 | 1981-09-22 | Twite Terrance M | Electrical power generating system |
| GB8401908D0 (en) * | 1984-01-25 | 1984-02-29 | Solmecs Corp Nv | Utilisation of thermal energy |
| US4776169A (en) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-10-11 | Coles Jr Otis C | Geothermal energy recovery apparatus |
| US5697218A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-12-16 | Shnell; James H. | System for geothermal production of electricity |
| US5685362A (en) * | 1996-01-22 | 1997-11-11 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Storage capacity in hot dry rock reservoirs |
-
2000
- 2000-05-12 US US09/569,389 patent/US6301894B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-07-25 WO PCT/US2001/023477 patent/WO2003012295A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3864208A (en) * | 1972-04-11 | 1975-02-04 | Watase Kinichi | Geothermal-nuclear waste disposal and conversion system |
| US5311741A (en) * | 1992-10-09 | 1994-05-17 | Blaize Louis J | Hybrid electric power generation |
| US5911684A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1999-06-15 | Shnell; James H. | System for geothermal production of electricity |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6301894B1 (en) | 2001-10-16 |
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