Sawyer-singleton geothermal energy tank

Abstract

One embodiment of a compact, closed loop geothermal energy exchange system, which is used in conjunction with geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool interior spaces, is provided. Conduit (2), through which process fluid flows, is configured within a containment tank (1) in a manner that optimizes the contact between the conduit, an interior soil mass (4) and the soil mass exterior to the tank. Water from a source within the geothermal zone of the earth is introduced, when necessary, to the interior of the tank by means of a temperature regulated valve (not shown) and pipes (3) located at the top of the tank. The interior soil mass, the exterior soil mass and the water, in combination, will regulate the temperature of the process fluid, thereby providing optimum operating fluid temperatures for geothermal heat pumps. A means of collecting the water and removing it from the tank is provided by a perforated pipe (6) connected to a water overflow chamber (5). The collected water is removed from the overflow chamber by a sump pump (7), and a discharge pipe (11).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Provisional Application Filed[0002]Dec. 18, 2007[0003]Application No. 61 / 007,952STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0004]“Not Applicable”REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0005]“Not Applicable”BACKGROUND[0006]1. Field[0007]This application relates to the use of the earths geothermal energy to heat and cool residential and commercial structures with a closed loop geothermal heat exchanger, which makes use of both soil mass and water to regulate the temperature of the fluid used by geothermal heat pumps.[0008]2. Prior Art[0009]Geothermal energy in the context of this embodiment refers to that constant temperature of the earth that exists at a level close to the surface of the earth. That level varies somewhat from one geographical region to another but is generally agreed to be below frost level.[0010]This constant temperature is now being tapped to heat an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0032]In accordance with the first embodiment, a plastic tank is used to house thin walled tubing against its' interior walls. Said tubing will exchange energy with the soil mass outside and the soil mass inside said tank. Said tubing contains fluid which is used in conjunction with a geothermal heat pump, to cool or heat the interior of structures. Said tubing forms a closed loop system with a geothermal heat pump located in the interior of the structure. Water distributed within the geothermal zone of the earth will be used, when necessary, to regulate temperatures in said interior soil mass of said plastic tank to assist in optimizing the coil fluid temperatures.

Problems solved by technology

Our embodiment does not address the indoor, mechanical portion of the system.

The drawback for this system is that the body of water must be ¾ of an acre for each ton of cooling needed.

Few people in rural areas have access to a body of water of this size.

It is also safe to say that this method cannot be used in dense urban areas.

It, however, cannot be used in urban areas where the entire lot may only be 45 ft. by 145 ft.

This method is expensive, costing from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 per drill hole.

As with the two previous methods, a lot of space is required.

This method is limited to rural and commercial uses where the cost of space is not at a premium price.

It all but eliminates it from urban environments where space is limited and the drilling cost is prohibitive for most structures.

At this point, the lack of a cost effective, relatively small, in ground geothermal exchange system, has kept urban residents and businesses out of the highly efficient geothermal market.

In urban areas where well drilling is not practical, the use of city water at the rate required by said patent is prohibitive.

Further more, the water used in our embodiment cannot be used inside the house as potable.

It will not be enough of it and after cooling the interior soil mass it will not be considered potable.

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