Geothermal heat transfer system

Abstract

A geothermal heat extraction system comprising: a heat transfer column F placed within a borehole, the column formed of a plurality of preformed cartridges containing a heat dissipating material, the

Description

The Description Geothermal Heat Transfer System The invention relates to accessing Energy from Thermal Heat producing sources below the Earth's surface. The present form of obtaining high temperature energy from the Earth’s hot crystalline heat reservoir formations is by drilling singular or multiple wells to enable a fluid (water) to ingress the reservoirs as a liquid and egress as high temperature liquid or steam, often requiring extensive fracking to create fluid heat source reservoirs. Likewise, obtaining heat from a hot Aquifer, by drilling and pumping water to the source then returning same to the surface. This invention uniquely differs from these and other similar applications in that a single borehole is drilled, and heat is transferred not by water to the surface, but by thermal dissipation through solid aluminium oxide, graphite, granulated graphite, graphene and / or as a mixture of heat conducting solids, for stable heat transfer from a subterranean heat source through the single bore hole, in a unique sealed cartridge configuration, connected by multiple heat transfer subs, which are designed to be easily replaced as necessary. Current and conventional geothermal heat transfer can be inefficient and relies on pumped water with the potential of ingress contamination of the water table, and problems with fracking between wells. This results in a reduction in thermal recovery. This invention is unique byway of drilling a single bore hole to the heat source reservoir, sealingthe hole wall with cemented conventional casing, and working as a self-contained sealed system, maximising heat transfer and preventing any water table contamination. Figure 1 details the general set up of the production well to encompass the drilling rig (E) (which is removed after completion of the drilling phase), the surface equipment to include the heat exchange unit (C), the turbine housing (D) and the generator housing (B), extendingto the power line distribution network (A). In addition, figure 1 also details the general layout of the sub surface construction with the unique aspect of the patent application, namely the solid-state heat transfer column (F). This is enclosed by the surface casing (G) and the intermediate casing (H) inside of which is fabricated the cased graphite, aluminium oxide or heat conducting materials, either solid, granular or a mixture (F). This column reaches below surface to the heat source, comprising generally of hot dry rock or aquifer (K). Figure 2 details the heat source to surface configuration, which comprises the solid or compressed granular solid core formed into sectional columns to meet drilling industry range 2 requirements and standards of 30 feet in length. The connecting heat transfer sub will measure 1.5 feet in length. Details of the prepared tubing is detailed in the notes and image in Figure 3. The solid or granulated sectionized column of Graphite, aluminium oxide or heat conducting materials will be encapsulated in either a Graphene Pipe or Graphene Foil wrap (S) encased in steel or composite production tubing, then lowered sectionally to the total depth of the well, as a retractable and connected column reaching to the heat source (Fig 1 K) to connect with the surface (U). Variable dimensions will be used, subject to requirements and availability of heat source level. Graphite and / or aluminium oxide’s ability to dissipate heat and withstand very high temperatures is the ideal material to transport energy from a reservoir to the surface heat exchanger (C). The Graphene or steel pipe (S) surrounding the solid-state heat transfer column core (F) will act as an insulation, Graphene havinga higher heat dissipation rate will secure the energy transmission of the heat transfer column core (F). Figure 2 continues to illustrate the construction of the heat exchanger situated above ground. (X) are the baffle plates which accelerate heat exchange and will vary in size and number subject to the size of heat exchanger required, relative to the available heat source supply. At pipe (P) the egress of steam from the heat exchange unit (Figure 4 (C)) is transmitted to the turbine (Figure 1 (D)) which then drives the generator (Figure 1 (B)). (Q) represents the return pipe for the heat transfer fluid or water to be reheated into steam, engineered as an enclosed circulation loop. (Z) is the insulated outer wall of the heat exchange unit. (J) is a helical or corrugated structured baffle plate between ingress and egress pipe arrangement where the heat is exchanged. (R) is the support collar at the connecting point of the heat exchanger (Figure 4 (C)). The support collar length is determined by the available heat temperature and is designed to be adjustable to increase or decrease exposure to the central heat transmission core (F). To reduce or expand the length of the heat exchanger and if required the heat transfer column would be connected to a variable diameter graphite block or composite within the modified heat exchanger (Figure 4(C). (S) is the production tubing. (T) is the borehole casing and anchors into the heat transmission zone. (U) is the ground and surface formation. Figure 3 illustrates the heat transfer column (J) sectional connection by heat transfer plug (V) and each ofwhich is secured by a connecting sub (W). (S) is the Graphene Pipe or Graphene Foil wrap encased in steel or composite production tubing. (Y) is the shoe termination which is constructed from sintered tungsten carbide and diamond or equivalent depending on the heat source temperature. Figure 4 represents the layout of the surface heat exchanger, turbine and generator equipment. The heat is transferred using a closed loop water or liquid system through the heat exchanger (C) to conventional turbines (D) through the steam pipe (P) powering the electric generator housed in (B). (P) &(Q) are the circulatory sealed closed loop system. (L) is the fluid top up and maintenance access port. (M) is a further heat exchange unit transferring excess heat for external purposes. (N) is the inlet and outlet water pipes for the further external heat exchanger (M). (N) is the water inlet and outlet port to the external heat exchange unit. (A) is the power transmission cable outlet to the grid. The Figures Key: See attached pictorial description in conjunction with the following notes: Figure 1 Drilling rig phase. Representations: A Power lines B Generator housing C Heat Exchange Unit D Turbine Housing E Drilling rig during construction phase G Surface casing H Intermediate casing J Heat transfer column K Hot rock or aquifer heat source Figure 2 Source to wellhead heat transfer arrangement. P Steam egress pipe to turbine Q Return pipe to heat source R Support collar S Graphene pipe or wrap in steel pipe intermediate wall T Steel borehole casing U Surface level C Heat exchange unit F Solid state heat transfer column Z Heat exchanger outer wall J Helical or corrugated baffle for auxiliary heat exchange X Baffle plates Figure 3 Heat Transfer Column V Heat transfer plug J Heat transfer column W Connecting sub S Graphene pipe or graphene foil wrap encased in steel or composite tubing Y shoe termination Figure 4 Heat Transfer Arrangement A Power lines transmission outlet B Generator C Heat exchanger D Turbine L Fluid top up &maintenance port M Further auxiliary heat exchanger N Water inlet and outlet pipes to auxiliary heat exchanger P Steam pipe from heat exchanger to turbine Q Circulatory pipes through the main heat exchange and auxiliary heat exchange units The Claim: The Claim: Conventional Geothermal heat extraction from subterranean formations has involved multiple wells being drilled requiring extensive fracking to create fluid heat source reservoirs or singular wells enabling limited extraction from both heat source form or Aquiferformations The invention requires a single hole to be drilled into a heat source formation to enable a column of multiple preformed cartridges containing thermal heat dissipating materials cojoined by heat transfer subs containing thermal heat dissipation plugs thereby transferring energy from source without interaction with a subterranean water course to a surface heat exchanger the energy from which will enable generation of electricity. Intellectual Property Office Application GB2506158.1 Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977 Date search completed: 20 October 2025 Claims searched: 1 International classification Subclass and subgroup Valid from F24T 10 / 00 01 / 01 / 2018 Field of search Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC: F24T Databases used in the preparation of this search report: SEARCH-PATENT Documents considered to be relevant Patent literature Category Claims Document Relevant Passage D1 X 1 US 9297591 B1 (VON HACK-PRESTINARY et al.) See figures 1-3 and column 7, lines 1121 &column 7, line 53 - column, line 43. D2 A - CN109539610A (HUAYING PIPELINE MONITORING TECHNOLOGY SERVICE COMPNAY LTD) Non-patent literature Category Claims Document Relevant Passage D1 Categories X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.

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