Systems and methods for magma-powered thermochemical processes

Abstract

A method for carrying out a thermochemical process includes injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from an underground heat source. The method also includes maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams. The one or more product streams are removed from the reaction chamber.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 405,276, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGMA-DRIVEN THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES," filed September 9, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 976,159, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGMA-DRIVEN THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES," filed October 28, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] Novel aspects of the present invention relate to novel systems and related methods for carrying out thermochemical processes, and more particularly to systems and methods for carrying out reactions using thermal energy harnessed directly from underground heat sources such as magma chambers. [Background technology]

[0003] Thermochemical reactions can be carried out to produce useful end products such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, and other forms of green fuels. These chemical reactions can be carried out by existing processes. Some of these chemical reactions can only be carried out at elevated temperatures that provide the necessary activation energy. Some of these chemical reactions can be carried out at room temperature, but from an economic standpoint, they can only be carried out at elevated temperatures that provide the desired reaction rates. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the costs associated with obtaining high temperatures can make these processes economically unfeasible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A novel aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for carrying out a thermochemical process, the method including the steps of injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber, maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams, and removing the one or more product streams from the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from an underground heat source.

[0006] A novel aspect of the present invention is also directed to a system for carrying out a thermochemical process. The system includes a wellbore extending from the earth's surface toward a subsurface heat source and a reaction chamber configured to be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from the subsurface heat source. In some embodiments, the reaction chamber includes one or more inlets configured to receive one or more feed streams and one or more outlets configured to discharge one or more product streams from the reaction chamber. In response to maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time, the one or more product streams are formed from the one or more feed streams.

[0007] Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, each identical or substantially similar component shown in various figures is represented by a single numeral or symbol. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every drawing. Not every component of each embodiment is shown unless illustration is necessary to enable understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art.

[0008] The novel features believed characteristic of this invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as preferred modes of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system for performing a thermochemical process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of another system for performing a thermochemical process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first system for forming ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a second system for forming ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a third system for forming ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process according to an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fourth system for forming ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of a Haber-Bosch process product recovery facility in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system for thermochemical splitting of water in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system for forming an end product by a Fischer-Tropsch process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system for forming an end product by a Fischer-Tropsch process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart of a method for performing a thermochemical process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart of a method of installing a vessel for use in a method for performing a thermochemical process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [Figure 12]1 is a more detailed process flow diagram for injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a flow diagram of a method for treating a product stream formed by a thermochemical process in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Geothermal systems have been proposed to offset the high costs of running thermochemical processes. However, these conventional geothermal systems generate electricity by utilizing steam from production wells heated by renewable underground sources, which power turbines to generate electricity that is inefficiently stored and then transported long distances to power heating devices that power the thermochemical processes. The numerous steps required to convert geothermal energy into electricity to power the heating devices are inefficient, thereby increasing the production costs of green fuels and other end products. Other forms of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, are unpredictable and inefficient, and still require various inefficient systems to generate heat and pressure. Fossil fuel systems may also be required as a backup. Other conventional systems that may not require the same high temperature requirements may be too expensive to implement on a wide scale.

[0011] The novel aspects of the present invention recognize the need for improved systems and methods for utilizing renewable geothermal energy to power thermochemical processes without the inevitable costs, inefficiencies, and unpredictability associated with other renewable energy systems and methods. In particular, the improved systems and methods provide a reaction chamber with heat obtained directly from an underground heat source, such as a magma body. One or more feed streams introduced into the reaction chamber can use the heat to form end products via a thermochemical process.

[0012] Exemplary thermochemical processes described in this disclosure include the Haber-Bosch process to form ammonia, the Fischer-Tropsch process to form tail gas and liquid hydrocarbons, and the thermochemical decomposition of water to form H2 and O2 gases.

[0013] 1A is a simplified block diagram of a system for performing thermochemical processes according to an example embodiment. Non-limiting examples of thermochemical processes that may be performed in system 100a include the Haber-Bosch process, the Fischer-Tropsch process, and the thermochemical splitting of water.

[0014] Generally, system 100a comprises process equipment 102 arranged to convert one or more feed streams 104 into one or more end product streams 106 by a thermochemical process using heat obtained directly from a geothermal heat source 108. An optional recycle stream 110 can be sent back into one or more feed streams 104 to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

[0015] The exemplary process equipment 102 shown in FIG. 1A includes at least a reaction chamber 112. The reaction chamber 112 may be the interior volume of a reactor vessel. The reaction chamber 112 may be operable to perform a thermochemical process at temperatures and pressures above ambient temperature and pressure. The thermochemical process may be a batch or continuous process. Although the reaction chamber 112 is shown as a single chamber, in other embodiments, the reaction chamber 112 may include two or more reaction chambers to allow two or more independent reactions to occur. The multiple reaction chambers may be contained within a single reactor vessel or may be separately contained within multiple reactor vessels.

[0016] The process facility 102 may further include an optional recovery facility 114 that may be used to recover one or more final product streams 106. The recovery facility 114 may be any one or more conventionally known facilities, such as a distillation column, a condenser, a stripping column, an extractor column, or other form of separator vessel. For example, the reaction carried out in the reaction chamber 112 may produce an intermediate product stream 116 that includes a gaseous final product and unreacted reactants in gaseous form. The intermediate product stream 116 may be conveyed to the optional recovery facility 114 to be separated into one or more final product streams 106 formed solely from the desired final product and one or more recycle streams 110 formed from the unreacted reactants. In another example, the reaction carried out in the reaction chamber 112 may produce an intermediate product stream 116 that may be separated into an optional recycle stream 110 and multiple different final product streams 106 using conventional separation techniques.

[0017] The reaction chamber 112 is heated by heat obtained directly from an available underground heat source via a well 118. The well 118 is formed by a borehole and associated structures (not shown), such as a casing string, a drill stem, fluid conduit(s), a wellhead, and control equipment. The borehole of the well 118 extends from the surface to a subsurface location selected to allow for the supply of the amount of heat necessary to provide the required reaction temperature in the reaction chamber 112. The reaction temperature is the amount of heat required to cause a desired thermochemical reaction according to desired parameters. For example, the reaction temperature may be the amount of heat required for a desired thermochemical reaction to occur at a selected temperature within a predetermined period of time using a particular catalyst, etc.

[0018] In some embodiments, the required heat can be obtained simply by drilling to a sufficient depth, regardless of the presence of subsurface formations. In these embodiments, the heat source in the earth is simply ambient heat that increases with borehole depth.

[0019] In other embodiments, the subsurface heat source is a magma body 108, and the required heat can be obtained by drilling a borehole to a specific location based on the presence or proximity of the magma body 108. The magma body 108 is one or more subsurface formations that contain magma. Non-limiting examples of magma bodies 108 may include sills, laccoliths, lopolis, diapirs, and plutons. In the example of FIG. 1 , the well 118 is drilled such that the end of the borehole of the well 118 is partially contained within a magma body 108a, e.g., a pluton, and the borehole passes through another magma body 108b, e.g., a lopolis.

[0020] A heat exchanger 120 located within the well 118 can utilize heat directly from an underground heat source to provide the reaction chamber 112 with a reaction temperature for carrying out a thermochemical process. The heat exchanger 120 may be located at the end of the borehole to utilize heat from the magma body 108a, or may be located at a predetermined depth within the borehole adjacent to the magma body 108b to utilize heat from the magma body 108b. The heat is transferred to a heating fluid 122a, which is delivered to the process equipment 102, e.g., a reactor vessel housing the reaction chamber 112, to heat the reaction chamber 112. The spent heating fluid 122b is returned from the process equipment 102 to the heat exchanger 120 for recycling.

[0021] The geothermal heat source may also provide a sub-ambient temperature for the thermochemical process performed within the system 100a via an optional absorption chiller 124. The absorption chiller 124 may receive the heating fluid 122a from the heat exchanger 120 to form a cooling fluid 126a that may be delivered to the process facility 102, such as a recovery facility 114. The recovery facility 114 may be a condenser that may condense the gaseous end products to a liquid phase for separation from unreacted reactants in the gas phase. The spent cooling fluid 126b may be returned to the absorption chiller 124 and reused. The spent heating fluid 122b may also be returned from the absorption chiller 124 to the heat exchanger 120 and reused.

[0022] Although not shown in Figure 1A, a catalyst may be provided to facilitate the thermochemical process. As discussed in more detail in the figures below, the catalyst may be disposed within the reaction chamber 112.

[0023] 1B is a simplified block diagram of another system for performing thermochemical processes according to an example embodiment. Non-limiting examples of thermochemical processes that may be performed in system 100b include the Haber-Bosch process, the Fischer-Tropsch process, and the thermochemical splitting of water.

[0024] Generally, system 100b comprises process equipment arranged to convert one or more feed streams 104 into one or more end product streams 106 by a thermochemical process that uses heat obtained directly from a geothermal heat source 108. An optional recycle stream 110 can be sent back into one or more feed streams 104 to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

[0025] System 100b differs from system 100a in that reaction chamber 112 is located within wellbore 118 to obtain heat directly from an underground heat source, such as magma body 108, rather than from a heat exchanger that utilizes heat used by a reaction chamber located outside of wellbore 118. In system 100b, reaction chamber 112 may be the interior volume of a reactor vessel located within wellbore 118.

[0026] In another embodiment, the volume within the wellbore 118 can function as the reaction chamber 112. In the other embodiments described above, a cased or uncased portion of the wellbore 118 can function as the reaction chamber 112. Heat is supplied to the reaction chamber 112 through the sidewalls of the wellbore 118 and the casing segments, if any. The reaction chamber 112 can include additional provisions to extend the residence time of the reactants within the reaction chamber 112 or to facilitate exposure to a catalyst (not shown). For example, the reaction chamber can include a casing plate (not shown) that at least partially seals the upper end of the reaction chamber 112. The catalyst can be suspended from or coupled to the casing plate. Additionally or alternatively, the reaction chamber 112 can contain a baffle system (not shown) to facilitate mixing and / or extend the residence time of the reactants within the reaction chamber 112.

[0027] 2 is a schematic diagram of a first system for forming a selected end product in a thermochemical process according to an illustrative embodiment. System 200 can be configured to accommodate a Haber-Bosch process for obtaining ammonia from one or more feed streams composed of N2 and H2. The ammonia can be formed in a reaction chamber 112 located within a wellbore 118 such that the reaction chamber 112 can be directly heated by an underground heat source. In system 200, reaction chamber 112 is an uncased portion of wellbore 118 that obtains heat from a magma body 108.

[0028] In this exemplary embodiment, the reaction chamber 112 is sealed at its upper end by a casing plate 202 spanning the diameter of the wellbore 118. One or more feed stream conduits 204 extend between one or more reactant sources (not shown) that form the feed streams and the reaction chamber 112. The one or more feed stream conduits 204 may pass through the casing plate 202 and extend to a predetermined depth within the reaction chamber 112. The reactants are subjected to heat obtained directly from an underground heat source, such as the magma body 108, and a catalyst 206 to combine at least a portion of the reactants and form an intermediate product stream that is transported from the reaction chamber 112 via one or more intermediate product stream conduits 208.

[0029] The intermediate product stream is conveyed into recovery facility 114, which is the condenser in system 200 shown in Figure 2. Condenser 114 separates the intermediate product stream into an unreacted reactant fraction that is sent back into reaction chamber 112 via recycle stream conduit 212 and a liquid-phase final product fraction 210 that is withdrawn from condenser 114 by final product stream conduit 214. When system 200 is configured to produce ammonia by the Haber-Bosch process, the feed stream is [ka] This includes N2 and H2, which are converted to the NH3 end product according to

[0030] In this exemplary embodiment, catalyst 206 is shown as being generally suspended from casing plate 202. In a particular example of this embodiment, casing plate 202 may be configured with a series of baffles (not shown) coupled to casing plate 202 and having an outer surface coated with a layer of catalyst 206. In another particular example of this embodiment, casing plate may include a plurality of elongated members extending toward the end of the borehole, each of the plurality of elongated members including an outer surface coated with a layer of catalyst 206.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second system for forming a selected end product in a thermochemical process according to another illustrative embodiment. System 300 is similar to system 200 of Figure 2, except that catalyst 206 is mounted on the surface of one or more feed stream conduits 204 and / or one or more intermediate product stream conduits 208. By way of example, catalyst 206 is shown mounted on the interior and exterior surfaces of one or more feed stream conduits 204, and catalyst 206 is shown mounted on baffles 302 attached to the interior surface of intermediate product stream conduit 208. These examples are illustrative and non-limiting.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a third system for forming a selected end-product in a thermochemical process according to another illustrative embodiment. System 400 is similar to system 200 of FIG. 2 , except that system 400 includes a boiler casing 402 that at least partially defines well bore 118 into reaction chamber 112. Catalyst 206 is shown attached to the inner surface of boiler casing 402. In an alternative embodiment, catalyst 206 may be attached to features coupled to the inner surface of boiler casing 402, with these features extending inward into reaction chamber 112. For example, a honeycomb structure (not shown) spanning the diameter of well bore 118 may be attached to the inner surface of boiler casing 402 and covered with catalyst 206. In another example, a baffle system (not shown) may be attached to the inner surface of boiler casing 402 and covered with catalyst 206. These inwardly extending features increase contact between the reactants in the feed stream and the catalyst 206 within the reaction chamber 112, thereby facilitating their conversion to intermediate product(s) and / or final product(s).

[0033] 5 is a schematic diagram of a fourth system for forming a selected end product in a thermochemical process according to another illustrative embodiment. System 500 is similar to system 200 of FIG. 2, except that reaction chamber 112 is contained within a reactor vessel 502 located at the end of wellbore 118. Reactants are transported to the reaction chamber by one or more feed flow conduits 204. The reactants are converted to intermediate product(s) and / or end product(s) in the presence of heat and catalyst 206 obtained directly from magma body 108.

[0034] 6 is a more detailed diagram of a product recovery facility within a system for forming a selected end product in a thermochemical process according to an exemplary embodiment. Recovery facility 114 is a condenser that receives an intermediate product stream from one or more intermediate product stream conduits 208. The condenser receives a cooling fluid from cooling fluid conduit 602, which can be used to separate a desired end product, such as ammonia, from unreacted reactants in processes known to those skilled in the art. Unreacted reactants are returned to the reaction chamber via recycle stream conduit 212, and end product 210 is collected in liquid form in condenser 114 and removed from condenser 114 into end product stream conduit 214.

[0035] The cooling fluid absorbs heat in the condenser 114 and is converted to spent cooling fluid, which is returned to the absorption chiller 124 for reuse in spent cooling fluid conduit 604. As described above, the absorption chiller 124 uses heat obtained directly from an underground heat source, such as a magma body, to form the cooling fluid that is delivered to the condenser 114. As described in more detail in Figures 1A and 1B above, the absorption chiller 124 receives heating fluid from the heat exchanger 120 via heating fluid conduit 606 and returns spent heating fluid to the heat exchanger 120 via spent heating fluid conduit 608, forming a continuous circuit.

[0036] 7 is a simplified block diagram of a system for the thermochemical decomposition of water according to an exemplary embodiment. While the thermochemical decomposition of water can be carried out according to any number of conventionally available processes, the exemplary process set forth in FIG. 7 is described as a metal oxide redox reaction for simplicity and consistency. The general equation for the metal oxide redox reaction for the thermochemical decomposition of water includes two steps: [ka]

[0037] The first equation represents an endothermic reaction, and the second equation represents an exothermic reaction.

[0038] System 700 includes a reactor vessel 702 including a first reaction chamber 702a that houses the exothermic reaction of a thermochemical decomposition process and a second reaction chamber 702b that houses the endothermic reaction of the thermochemical decomposition process. While reactor vessel 702 is shown as a single vessel containing reaction chambers 702a and 702b, in other embodiments, reactor vessel 702 may be formed from two or more separate vessels that each house one reaction chamber and are positioned in close proximity to one another. Alternatively, reactor vessel 702 may be formed from two or more separate vessels that are positioned remotely from one another, as in embodiments in which the endothermic reaction of the thermochemical decomposition process is carried out in a wellbore, as described in more detail below.

[0039] 7, heat for the endothermic step is provided by a heat exchanger 120 located within the well bore 118, which may utilize heat from the underground heat source 108 as described above in FIG. 1A. In another embodiment, a second reaction chamber 702b may be located within the well bore 118 to eliminate the need for the underground heat exchanger 120. As described above in FIG. 1B, the second reaction chamber may be contained within a reactor vessel located within the well bore 118, or the second reaction chamber 702b may be formed from a cased or uncaseable volume within the well bore 118.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 7, a water feed stream 701 is fed into a first reaction chamber 702a to produce a H2 product stream 704 and MO ox generating an intermediate product stream 706; ox The intermediate product stream 706 is fed into a second reaction chamber 702b, which is heated by heat obtained directly from an underground heat source to produce an O2 product stream 708 and MO2, which is pumped back into the first reaction chamber 702a. red and intermediate product stream 710. In some embodiments, heat supplied by a geothermal heat source provides the endothermic reaction occurring in second reaction chamber 702b with reaction temperatures of 1,500° C. or greater, which may be readily achieved if reaction chamber 702b is located within wellbore 118.

[0041] Although not shown, the H2 product stream 704 may be fluidly coupled to a system for producing ammonia from H2 and N2 feed streams, such as the improved Haber-Bosch systems 200, 300, and 400 of Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Additionally, the H2 product stream 704 may be fluidly coupled to a system for producing hydrocarbon fuels and other chemical products, such as the Fischer-Tropsch systems described in more detail in Figures 8 and 9 below.

[0042] 8 is a simplified block diagram of a system for forming end products via a Fischer-Tropsch process according to an exemplary embodiment. The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process is a catalytic chemical reaction that converts synthesis gas, or syngas, containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H), into hydrocarbons of various molecular weights. Some of the main FT synthesis reactions include: [ka]

[0043] System 800 produces one or more liquid-phase end products 802 and one or more gas-phase end products 804 from a syngas feed stream 104. The syngas feed stream 104 is fed to a FT reactor containing a reaction chamber 112 heated to a reaction temperature by heat obtained directly from a geothermal source, such as a magma body 108. The FT reactor can be any conventional FT reactor, such as a multi-tubular reactor, a fixed-bed reactor, a spouted-flow reactor, a slurry reactor, or a circulating fluidized bed reactor.

[0044] The intermediate product 116 withdrawn from the reaction chamber 112 can be processed by a recovery facility 114 using conventional processing techniques, but with heating provided by a geothermal source and cooling provided by an absorption chiller powered by the geothermal source, to produce one or more liquid-phase end products 802 and one or more gas-phase end products 804.

[0045] In the exemplary system 800, heat is supplied to the reaction chamber 112 from a heat exchanger 120 that obtains heat directly from an underground heat source, such as the magma body 108. The heat is utilized by a heating fluid 122a, which is delivered to the reaction chamber 112 and then recycled back to the heat exchanger 120 for reuse. The heating fluid 122a can also be delivered to an absorption chiller 124, which can use the heating fluid 122a to provide a cooling fluid 126a by methods known to those skilled in the art. The heating fluid 122a can also be delivered directly to multiple recovery facilities 114 to facilitate processing of the intermediate product stream 116. The used heating fluid 122b is returned to the heat exchanger 120 for reuse. The cooling fluid 126a can be used to reduce temperatures within the various recovery facilities 114 to facilitate conversion of the intermediate product 116 to the liquid-phase final product 802 and the vapor-phase final product 804. The spent cooling fluid 126b is returned to the absorption chiller 124 for reuse.

[0046] Examples of recovery facility 114 may include flash drums, hydrocrackers, and separators. By varying the process conditions, i.e., catalyst type, temperature, unit operations, molecular sieves, etc., higher molecular weight hydrocarbons can be produced that are recovered in a liquid phase end product 802, such as a hydrocarbon liquid fuel. A vapor phase end product 804 may be withdrawn from system 800 or may be returned to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor as entrained in recycle stream 110.

[0047] 9 is a simplified block diagram of a system for forming a final product via a Fischer-Tropsch process according to an illustrative embodiment. System 900 is similar to system 800 of FIG. 8, except that the FT reactor containing the reaction chamber 112 is located within a wellbore 118 to obtain heat directly from a subterranean heat source, such as a magma body 108. System 900 may still include heat exchangers 120 to provide heat to various recovery facilities 114 to facilitate processing of the intermediate product stream 116, or to provide heat to an absorption chiller 124 so that cooling fluid 126a can be provided to multiple recovery facilities 114, as described above.

[0048] Figure 10 is a flow diagram of a method for performing a thermochemical process according to an example embodiment. The steps of flow diagram 1000 may be performed in a system such as systems 100a and 100b of Figures 1A and 1B, or in various systems described in Figures 2-9.

[0049] Flow diagram 1000 begins in step 1002 with the injection of one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber, such as reaction chamber 112. The reaction chamber is maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from a geothermal source. Examples of geothermal sources include magma body 108.

[0050] In step 1004, the one or more feed streams are maintained in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form a product stream from the one or more feed streams removed from step 1006. The one or more product streams may be intermediate product streams, such as intermediate product stream 116, which may be further processed to form one or more final product streams, such as final product stream 106, gas-phase final product 804, and / or liquid-phase final product 802. The one or more product streams may be final product streams that do not require further processing, such as product stream 704 and / or product stream 708.

[0051] 11 is a flowchart of a method for installing a vessel for use in a method for performing a thermochemical process according to an illustrative embodiment. Flowchart 1100 begins in step 1102 with determining a depth of a wellbore that will provide a reaction temperature in a reaction chamber. In step 1104, the vessel is installed at the determined depth within the wellbore. Once the vessel is installed in the wellbore, the steps of flowchart 1100 can be executed to form one or more product streams from one or more feed streams injected into the reaction chamber.

[0052] 12 is a more detailed process flow diagram for injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber according to an example embodiment. The steps of flow diagram 1200 can be performed in step 1002 of FIG. 10 when the reaction chamber is a cased or uncaseable volume within a wellbore.

[0053] Flowchart 1200 begins with determining a wellbore depth corresponding to a reaction temperature in step 1202. In optional step 1204, a casing plate caps an upstream portion of the cased or uncased volume to form a reaction chamber. In step 1206, one or more feed streams are injected into the reaction chamber at the determined depth within the wellbore.

[0054] 13 is a flowchart of a method for treating a product stream formed by a thermochemical process according to an illustrative embodiment. The steps of flowchart 1300 may be performed subsequent to the extracting step 1006 of FIG. 10.

[0055] Flowchart 1300 begins in step 1302 with the transfer of one or more product streams to a separator vessel. Depending on the type of separator vessel and the type of separation process being performed, the separator vessel may be heated by a heating fluid that obtains heat directly from an underground heat source, or may be cooled by a cooling fluid formed by a heating fluid that obtains heat directly from an underground heat source. Thus, flowchart 1300 includes the optional step 1304 of applying heating or cooling to the separator vessel using heat obtained directly from an underground heat source. In step 1306, the one or more product streams are separated into one or more final products.

[0056] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to certain elements, any elements described in the embodiments described herein are exemplary and may be omitted, substituted, added, combined, or rearranged as needed to form new embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize from reading this specification that such additional embodiments are validly disclosed herein. For example, if this disclosure describes a property, structure, size, shape, arrangement, or composition of an element, or a process for making or using an element or combination of elements, that property, structure, size, shape, arrangement, or composition can also be incorporated into any other element or combination of elements, or a process for making or using an element or combination of elements described herein, to provide additional embodiments. Furthermore, while various systems are described herein that are specific to the Haber-Bosch process, the Fischer-Tropsch process, and the thermochemical splitting of water, the novel aspects of the present disclosure can also be applied to other processes in which heat obtained directly from a geothermal source can be used to power a thermochemical reaction.

[0057] Furthermore, when an embodiment is described herein as including a particular element or group of elements, a further embodiment can consist essentially of or consist of said element or group of elements. Furthermore, although the open-ended term "comprising" is generally used herein, further embodiments can be formed by replacing it with the term "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of."

[0058] While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes in form and detail can be made to the above-described preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The inventors anticipate that those skilled in the art will adopt such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosed systems and methods to be practiced otherwise than as expressly described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto to the extent permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

[0059] Further embodiments The following illustrative embodiments are provided to further demonstrate the novel aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] In a first embodiment, a novel aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for carrying out a thermochemical process. The method includes injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from a geothermal heat source. The method further includes maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams, and removing the one or more product streams from the reaction chamber.

[0061] In another aspect of the first embodiment, the method includes injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from a geothermal source. The method further includes maintaining one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams, and removing one or more product streams from the reaction chamber. The method further includes one or more limitations selected from the following list: the reaction chamber is contained within a vessel located within the well; determining a depth of a wellbore that will provide a reaction temperature in the reaction chamber; and placing a vessel at the determined depth within the wellbore; the vessel being at least partially disposed within the magma chamber; the reaction chamber being a cased or uncaseable volume within the well; determining a depth of a wellbore corresponding to a reaction temperature; and injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber at the determined depth within the wellbore; capping an upstream portion of the casing-free volume with a plate to form a reaction chamber, wherein one or more feed streams are injected through inlets of the plate and one or more product streams are removed through outlets of the plate; the reaction chamber is located outside the wellbore and heat is supplied to the reaction chamber from a heat exchanger located at a depth within the wellbore for supplying a heating fluid to heat the reaction chamber to a reaction temperature; transferring the one or more product streams to a separator vessel; and separating the one or more product streams into one or more final products; supplying at least a portion of the heat to an absorption chiller to form a refrigerated fluid; and cooling a separator vessel with the refrigerated fluid to form one or more end products; Maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams further comprises subjecting the one or more feed streams to catalytic action in the reaction chamber.

[0062] In a second embodiment, a novel aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for conducting a thermochemical process. The system includes a wellbore extending from the earth's surface toward a subsurface heat source and a reaction chamber configured to be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from the subsurface heat source. In some embodiments, the reaction chamber includes one or more inlets configured to receive one or more feed streams and one or more outlets configured to discharge one or more product streams from the reaction chamber. In response to maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time, the one or more product streams are formed from the one or more feed streams.

[0063] In another aspect of the second embodiment, the system comprises a wellbore extending from the earth's surface toward a subsurface heat source and a reaction chamber configured to be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from the subsurface heat source. In some embodiments, the reaction chamber comprises one or more inlets configured to receive one or more feed streams and one or more outlets configured to discharge one or more product streams from the reaction chamber. In response to maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time, the one or more product streams are formed from the one or more feed streams. The system further comprises one or more limitations selected from the following list: a vessel disposed within the wellbore, and the reaction chamber is contained within the vessel; the vessel being located at a depth within the wellbore that provides a reaction temperature to the reaction chamber; the vessel being at least partially disposed within the magma chamber; the reaction chamber being a cased or uncaseable volume of space within the well; the reaction chamber comprising a cap extending over an upstream portion of the cased or uncased spatial volume; a first set of fluid conduits extending through the wells that carry one or more feed streams to the reaction chamber, and a second set of fluid conduits extending through the wells that remove one or more product streams from the reaction chamber; the reaction chamber is a vessel located outside the wellbore, the system further comprising a heat exchanger located at a depth within the wellbore for supplying a heating fluid to the vessel to heat the reaction chamber to a reaction temperature; a separator vessel coupled to the reaction chamber, the separator vessel separating the one or more product streams into one or more final products; a heat exchanger located at a depth in the wellbore for supplying a heating fluid; and an absorption chiller connected to the heat exchanger, the absorption chiller forming a cooling fluid from the heating fluid, the separator vessel being cooled by the cooling fluid; The reaction chamber further comprises a catalyst disposed within the reaction chamber.

Claims

1. 1. A method for carrying out a thermochemical process, comprising: injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber, said reaction chamber being maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from an underground heat source; maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams; removing the one or more product streams from the reaction chamber; A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber is contained within a vessel located within a wellbore.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, determining a depth of the wellbore that will provide the reaction temperature in the reaction chamber; placing the vessel within the well at the determined depth; The method further comprises:

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the vessel is at least partially disposed within a magma chamber.

5. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reaction chamber is a cased or uncaseable volume within the wellbore.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, determining a depth of the well corresponding to the reaction temperature; injecting the one or more feed streams into the reaction chamber at the determined depth within the well; The method further comprises:

7. 7. The method of claim 6, capping an upstream portion of the casing-free volume with a plate to form the reaction chamber, wherein the one or more feed streams are injected through inlets of the plate and the one or more product streams are removed through outlets of the plate. The method further comprises:

8. 10. The method of claim 1, the reaction chamber is located outside the wellbore, and the heat is supplied to the reaction chamber from a heat exchanger located at a depth within the wellbore for supplying a heating fluid to heat the reaction chamber to the reaction temperature; method.

9. 10. The method of claim 1, transferring the one or more product streams to a separator vessel; separating the one or more product streams into one or more final products; The method further comprises:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, supplying at least a portion of the heat to an absorption chiller to form a cooling fluid; cooling the separator vessel with the cooling fluid to form the one or more final products; The method further comprises:

11. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams comprises: subjecting said one or more feed streams to a catalyst in said reaction chamber. The method further comprises:

12. 1. A system comprising: a well extending from the surface of the earth toward an underground heat source; a reaction chamber configured to be maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from the underground heat source, wherein the one or more feed streams fed to the reaction chamber are formed into one or more product streams in response to maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time; A system comprising:

13. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a vessel disposed within the wellbore, the reaction chamber being contained within the vessel.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the vessel is located at a depth within the wellbore that provides the reaction temperature to the reaction chamber.

15. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vessel is disposed at least partially within a magma chamber.

16. 13. The system of claim 12, the reaction chamber being a cased or uncaseable volume of space within the wellbore; system.

17. 17. The system of claim 16, the reaction chamber comprises a cap extending over an upstream portion of the cased or uncased spatial volume; system.

18. 13. The system of claim 12, a first set of fluid conduits extending through the wellbore that carry the one or more feed streams to the reaction chamber; a second set of fluid conduits extending through the wellbore that remove the one or more product streams from the reaction chamber; and The system further comprises:

19. 13. The system of claim 12, the reaction chamber is a vessel located outside the wellbore, and the system comprises: a heat exchanger located at a depth within the well for supplying a heating fluid to the vessel to heat the reaction chamber to the reaction temperature; The system further comprises:

20. 13. The system of claim 12, The system further comprising a separator vessel coupled to the reaction chamber, the separator vessel separating the one or more product streams into one or more final products.

21. 21. The system of claim 20, a heat exchanger disposed at a depth within the wellbore for supplying a heating fluid; an absorption chiller connected to the heat exchanger, the absorption chiller forming a cooling fluid from the heating fluid, and the separator vessel being cooled by the cooling fluid; and The system further comprises:

22. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a catalyst disposed within the reaction chamber.

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