Electric power generation drilling method and electric power generation drilling device

Abstract

To utilize geothermal resources in non-volcanic regions for power generation without relying on volcanic magma, and to excavate deep shafts using a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member so that its vertical position can be changed, while avoiding problems such as deterioration and breakage of the suspension member.SOLUTION: A power-generating drilling device, which is integrally connected between a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member so that its vertical position can be changed when drilling a shaft to use deep crustal heat for power generation, and the suspension member, comprises an extendable cutter arm that can drill the earth's crust laterally. When the cutter arm is retracted, a first state can be set in which the vertical drilling machine is supported by the suspension member, and when the cutter arm is extended, a second state can be set in which the tip side of the cutter arm is held in the crust and the vertical drilling machine is supported by the cutter arm and the crust to excavate the shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved drilling method and drilling rig useful for drilling shafts used to generate electricity from geothermal resources in non-volcanic areas. [Background technology]

[0002] General geothermal power generation is known to generate electricity using turbines (Patent Document 1), and high-temperature steam generated when volcanic lava magma comes into contact with water is led to a power plant, where electricity is generated using turbines. This type of power generation using magma-water vapor is also based on valuable natural energy, but it is small in scale and is unlikely to become a core technology for large-scale power generation businesses. In addition, because magma can move, it is difficult to expect a long-term stable power generation business.

[0003] In contrast, deep geothermal resources in non-volcanic areas include Crustal heat It has been proposed to generate electricity by using the deep crustal heat through a temperature difference power generation method or a turbine power generation method, and it is necessary to excavate a vertical shaft to use the deep crustal heat for power generation. Such a vertical shaft is generally excavated using a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member (chain, wire, rope, etc.) so that the vertical position can be changed (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6587118 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-010085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when excavating a deep shaft, excessive force is applied to the suspension members due to their length, which can cause problems such as deterioration and breakage of the suspension members.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an excavation method and an excavation device for power generation that are capable of excavating a vertical shaft while avoiding problems such as deterioration or breakage of the suspension members by using a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by suspension members so that its vertical position can be changed, in order to utilize geothermal resources in non-volcanic regions for power generation without relying on volcanic magma. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the power generation drilling method of the present invention is a power generation drilling method in which, when drilling a vertical shaft for using deep crustal heat for power generation, the method excavates the shaft using a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member so that the vertical position can be changed, and is characterized in having a first step of integrally connecting a connection box equipped with an extendable cutter arm that excavates the crust laterally between the vertical drilling machine and the suspension member, the cutter arm contracting and supporting the vertical drilling machine via the connection box with the suspension member, and a second step of extending the cutter arm and supporting the vertical drilling machine with the connection box with the tip side of the cutter arm held in the crust, thereby excavating the shaft.

[0008] In addition, the power-generating drilling device of the present invention is a power-generating drilling device that is integrally connected between a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member and the suspension member so that its vertical position can be changed when drilling a vertical shaft to use deep crustal heat for power generation, and is characterized in that it is equipped with an extendable cutter arm that can excavate the crust in the horizontal direction, and that when the cutter arm is retracted, it can be set to a first state in which the vertical drilling machine is supported by the suspension member, and when the cutter arm is extended, it can be set to a second state in which the tip side of the cutter arm is held in the crust and the vertical drilling machine is supported by the cutter arm and the crust to excavate the vertical shaft. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, in order to utilize geothermal resources in non-volcanic regions for power generation without relying on volcanic magma, a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by suspension members so that its vertical position can be changed can be used to excavate a shaft while avoiding problems such as deterioration or breakage of the suspension members. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a power generation drilling method using a power generation drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the holding of a chain as a suspension member when using an electric power-generating drilling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a power plant provided in the ocean crust in a power generation system using a power generation drilling method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of shaft and adit excavation [Diagram 5] Illustration of satellite shafts excavated symmetrically on both sides of the center shaft [Figure 6] (a) is a diagram explaining the drawing of the heat transfer pipe into the heat storage chamber via the satellite shaft and the connection of the heat transfer pipe via the piping unit, and (b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the heat storage chamber and the satellite shaft. [Figure 7] (a) is an explanatory diagram of the connecting shaft that connects the center shaft and the satellite shaft, and (b) is an AA view of the connecting shaft. [Figure 8] Illustration of the discharge of soil from shaft excavation [Figure 9] (a) is an explanatory diagram of the excavation of an access tunnel to provide a heat storage chamber and a work dome room on the work floor surface, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the dome room, and (c) is an explanatory diagram of an unmanned excavation machine for excavating a dome shape. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram of a case where the first shaft for taking in fresh air into the dome room and the second shaft for exhausting air from the dome room are both used as elevator shafts. [Figure 11] (a) is an explanatory diagram of how the folded heat transfer pipe is installed in the heat storage room on the power plant floor, (b) is a diagram of the relationship between the heat storage room and the heat transfer pipe, and (c) is a structural diagram of the heat storage room. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram of the lowest heat transfer pipe that uses a heat transfer medium in a gaseous state [Figure 13] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the heat transfer pipe and the configuration of the bottom layer, and (b) is a diagram showing the flow of the heat transfer medium between adjacent layers in the depth direction. [Figure 14] A diagram showing the exchange of heat between a high-temperature heat medium α and a low-temperature heat medium β in a heat storage chamber. [Figure 15] (a) is an image of the assembly site for long heat transfer pipes on the power plant floor, (b) is a diagram showing how the heat transfer pipes are transported underground using small flanges to bundle the heat transfer pipes, and (c) is a diagram showing the size of the small flanges. [Figure 16] (a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams of the arrangement of the heat transfer pipe, heat transfer pipe unit, and heat transfer pipe group in the satellite shaft, respectively. [Figure 17] (a), (b), and (c) are a plan view, a vertical cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of a piping unit, respectively. [Figure 18] Conceptual image of the thermoelectric power generation element unit being loaded onto a trolley and stored in the tunnel [Figure 19] (a) is an image of a huge power plant in which multiple thermoelectric generating element units are stacked inside each tunnel, and (b) is a diagram explaining the role of the side tracks on each floor. [Figure 20] (a) is an explanatory diagram of the two-dimensional arrangement of thermoelectric generating elements, and (b) is an image of the intersection of the element board, heat transfer pipes, and cold water pipes. [Figure 21] Block diagram of a turbine-based power generation system that uses geothermal heat from non-volcanic deep crustal heat fields [Figure 22] Block diagram of hydrogen production using power generation using deep crustal heat DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (First embodiment) (Power Plant) 3 shows a power station installed in the ocean crust in a power generation system using the power generation drilling method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power station 9 is installed on a power station floor 10 in the ocean crust below the seabed (more preferably in the ocean crust in a coastal area).

[0013] The continental crust is 30-50 km thick, while the oceanic crust is only 5-10 km thick. More specifically, in the ocean, sedimentary layers, andesite layers, and the upper mantle are integrated and move slowly as continental plates. The andesite layer is only 5-10 km thick, and the upper mantle is already below it. The upper mantle is made of peridotite.

[0014] The lower mantle is softened by crustal heat and, although solid, moves slowly through convection, whereas the upper mantle is tightly bound to the andesite layer just above and is an extremely stable part (asthenosphere).

[0015] Both andesite and peridotite layers are dense, sturdy, and have high thermal conductivity. Therefore, even if the excavation depth is small, the desired high temperature zone (400-500°C) can be reached quickly. In other words, the vertical thermal gradient is high, and the geothermal heat increases the more you dig, so a high temperature zone can be reached at a much shallower depth than if you were to dig on the land side (land). In other words, if the power plant 9 is located in the ocean crust below the seabed, the height of the excavation start surface can be lowered relative to the deep crustal high temperature zone 1 compared to when the power plant is located on land (for example, inside a mountain). This is expected to reduce excavation costs.

[0016] In this embodiment, the power station on the power station floor 10 is a dome type covered with a dome 70, and the power station floor 10 is located 0.1 to 0.2 km from the seabed.

[0017] It is necessary to excavate hard bedrock such as basalt and peridotite into a dome shape, but by developing and using a robotic system that mounts a dedicated excavator on a huge lifter and can excavate unmanned according to instructions from a computer, excavation can be carried out cleanly and quickly, and costs can be significantly reduced.

[0018] The benefits of Dome 70 are as follows. By pumping an ample amount of fresh mountain air into the dome and maintaining a positive pressure inside, air leaks steadily through the gaps in the canvas (roof membrane) that forms the dome, keeping the air inside always fresh. By discharging the leaking air to the outside, the air between the excavated dome and the canvas that has been inflated by the internal air is discharged from the dome building. This allows the radiant heat received from the outer wall of the dome to be discharged from inside the dome by the moving air, lowering the temperature of the air between the outer wall of the dome and the canvas of the dome.

[0019] Furthermore, by making the outer surface of the dome canvas highly reflective, the radiant heat emitted by the outer wall is repelled, significantly reducing the amount of heat transferred to the inside of the dome.

[0020] The method of blocking the radiant heat coming from the ground inside the dome is to first lay a thick layer (2-5m) of large crushed stone resulting from large excavations on the ground inside the dome, cover that with two layers of nonwoven fabric, and then lay a thick layer (2-5m) of medium-sized crushed stone on top of that. Then, cover that with two layers of nonwoven fabric, and lay small crushed stone on top of that. Then, lay a thick layer (10-15m) of topsoil (transported by return dump trucks) obtained from a landfill site for soil removal on the mountain. This creates soil that contains a lot of air, which provides great insulation.

[0021] The ground of such a dome is covered with a thick layer of excavated soil, and the surface is covered with a thick layer of topsoil from the mountain. Trees are planted here, and artificial solar lighting is installed to encourage the trees and grass to grow, and a biotope is also installed to create an environment close to nature. This creates shade and the air-cooling effect of the trees and biotopes can be expected.

[0022] To insulate the vertical circumference of the dome, a thick layer (2 to 5 m) of insulating material, mainly rock wool, will be attached to the walls, and the steel-framed walls will be covered with highly insulating building materials such as ALC panels.

[0023] In addition, the power plant could be equipped with hot spring facilities that use a heat transfer medium, and lodging facilities could be set up to serve as an inn where visitors can stay.

[0024] If the power plant 9 can be located near a city, the transmission loss can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the transmission loss can be minimized by digging a tunnel from the power plant to the nearest substation and installing the transmission facilities there. For example, if the substation is installed below the power plant at a depth of 200 to 400 meters underground, the transmission loss can be significantly reduced.

[0025] In this way, when a power plant is built under the seabed near a coastal area close to a demand area, transmission losses can be reduced compared to the current case where power plants are built far away from demand areas. It also avoids the huge expenses for maintaining and maintaining the power grid. Furthermore, it also avoids the need for excessive equipment specifications to prevent sudden power outages caused by lightning, typhoons, salt damage, etc. Another advantage is that while a large space is required above ground, the land cost is huge, there is no land cost for underground construction.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the power station 9 is connected to the land side through a tunnel T that slopes diagonally downward at a predetermined angle from the land side. That is, as a method of reaching the power station, a road is formed by digging a tunnel T from a mountain near the coast.

[0027] In this embodiment, the land side and the power plant construction site are connected by land via tunnel T, so that the removed soil can be transported by large dump trucks or trucks (even unmanned transport) that pass through tunnel T. In other words, the large amount of removed soil can be transported unmanned and transported in a piston-like manner to the landfill site to be set up in the mountains.

[0028] In addition, by burying the waste soil in a new soil storage facility to be built in the nearby mountains, it will be possible to significantly reduce the transportation costs associated with removing the soil.

[0029] More specifically, digging will start in the mountains near the coast, and tunnel T will be dug about 10 km long at an incline of about 1 degree from the land side to the materials factory just before power plant 9 via a rotary, and power plant 9 will be set up on power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10. At the materials factory, all materials to be used in this project will be stockpiled, including the processing plant.

[0030] In Figure 3, the materials factory and the power plant 9 are at the same height (horizontal), but it is also possible to have a tunnel T connecting the materials factory and the power plant 9 at the same slope as the slope from the land side to the materials factory.

[0031] In Fig. 3, 1 is the deep crustal high temperature zone, 3 is the heat storage chamber, and 4 is the thermoelectric power generation element unit. Also, 20 is a heat transfer pipe, which is cut to a specified length at the material factory.

[0032] Here, in such non-volcanic regions, it is thought that the temperature rises by about 30°C for every 1 km of depth, and if the ocean floor is 10°C and the power plant level (inside the ocean crust) 10 is located 0.1 km (100 m) to 0.2 km (200 m) from the ocean floor, the temperature at the power plant level (inside the ocean crust) 10 is thought to be around 13°C to 16°C.

[0033] (Drilling of shafts and adits) As shown in Fig. 4, vertical shafts and horizontal shafts are excavated from the power station floor 10. The vertical shafts excavated are a center vertical shaft 11 with a diameter of 8m or 9m, a satellite vertical shaft 12 with a diameter of 9m, an elevator vertical shaft 13 with a diameter of 8m or 9m, and a connecting vertical shaft 33 (connecting the center vertical shaft 11 and the satellite vertical shaft 12) shown in Fig. 7.

[0034] In addition, the side tunnels are excavated at each level every 200 to 500 m in the depth direction of the shaft, and a heat storage chamber 3 is provided on each level (Figure 6(b)). The reason for providing a heat storage chamber 3 on each level is that Crustal heatis placed and fixed in the shaft (specifically, in the satellite shaft 12) together with the heat transfer medium, and is lifted up to the power plant floor through a heat transfer pipe, described below; however, if the length of the heat transfer pipe becomes longer than a specified value, the pressure of the heat transfer medium inside the heat transfer pipe will increase and the heat transfer pipe will burst, so it is necessary to limit the length of the heat transfer pipe to a specified length and relay it at each heat storage chamber 3.

[0035] While the center shaft 11 runs straight from the power plant floor 10 to near the deep crustal heat area, the satellite shafts 12 and connecting shafts 33 are provided between adjacent floors. The reason for this is that, in the process of installing the heat transfer pipes in the satellite shaft 12, the heat transfer pipes are lowered inside the center shaft 11 from the power plant floor 10 to a position where the lower end is at the depth of each floor, and then the heat transfer pipes are moved laterally to the satellite shaft 12 via the connecting shaft 33. The elevator shafts 13 are also provided between adjacent floors.

[0036] In Figures 4 and 6, for the sake of convenience, the satellite shaft 12 and the elevator shaft 13 are shown on one side of the center shaft 11, but in reality, as shown in Figure 5, the satellite shaft 12 and the elevator shaft 13 are provided symmetrically with respect to the center shaft 11. As a result, multiple (two) heat storage chambers 3 are provided on each floor.

[0037] In Figure 5, for convenience, the center shaft 11 and the satellite shaft 12 are drawn adjacent to each other, and the elevator shaft 13 and the satellite shaft 12 are drawn adjacent to each other; however, in reality, the center shaft 11 and the satellite shaft 12 are spaced apart, and the elevator shaft 13 and the satellite shaft 12 are also spaced apart (Figures 4 and 6).

[0038] 5 more specifically, as described above, satellite shafts 12-1-a and 12-1-b are formed in a line-symmetrical relationship with respect to center shaft 11, and satellite shafts 12-2-a and 12-2-b are formed in a line-symmetrical relationship with respect to center shaft 11 so as to have a 90-degree phase difference. Then, satellite shafts 12-3-a and 12-3-b are formed in a line-symmetrical relationship with respect to center shaft 11, in the same arrangement as satellite shafts 12-1-a and 12-1-b.

[0039] The lower end of the satellite shaft 12-1 and the upper end of the satellite shaft 12-2 are excavated so as to have an overlap in the depth direction as a margin (FIG. 5).

[0040] Here, the connecting shaft 33 shown in Fig. 7 is for enabling the heat transfer pipe to be displaced laterally from the center shaft 11 to the satellite shaft 12 when pulling the heat transfer pipe from the power plant floor 10 into the heat storage room 3 as described above. As for the depth direction, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the intermediate part is 3000 mm wide (larger than the diameter 2000 mm of the small flange 132 in Fig. 15(c) described later) when viewed from the arrow AA, and the uppermost and lowermost sides are horizontal shafts each having a width of 9500 mm.

[0041] The reason why the horizontal shaft is 9,500 mm wide at the top is because it is necessary to move the shaft (shaft) drilling equipment Y1 (Figure 4) from the center shaft 11 to the satellite shaft 12. Also, the reason why the horizontal shaft is 9,500 mm wide at the bottom is because it is necessary to move the shaft (shaft) drilling equipment (Figure 4) from the satellite shaft 12 to the center shaft 11.

[0042] Regarding the connecting shaft 33, the top, customs clearance section and bottom section can all be unified to a width of 9,500 mm.

[0043] In FIG. 4, Y1 is a shaft (vertical shaft) excavation device, Y2 is a horizontal shaft excavation device, and Y3 is a soil and sand recovery device, which includes an earth removal transport vehicle 15 that transports earth and the like on a work floor surface 16 to an elevator cage 14 installed inside the elevator shaft as shown in FIG.

[0044] Although the location of the elevator shaft 13 is shown on the opposite side of the satellite shafts 12 from the center shaft 11, this is not limited thereto, and it may be arranged around the center shaft together with the location of the satellite shafts 12.

[0045] The satellite shaft 12 is important as an open space for drawing in the long heat transfer pipes assembled on the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 through the connecting shaft 33 into the heat storage chamber 3 .

[0046] Items brought into the heat storage chamber 3 are mainly transported by elevator installed in the elevator shaft 13, but long heat transfer pipes are drawn into the heat storage chamber 3 through the center shaft 11, the connecting shaft 33, and the satellite shaft 12.

[0047] After the heat transfer pipes have been pulled into the heat storage chamber 3, except for the section below the lowest floor (Figure 7(a)), they are not located in the center shaft 11 as shown in Figure 6(a), but in the satellite shaft 12.

[0048] As for the significance of the center shaft 11, as mentioned above, it not only lowers the heat transfer pipes from the power plant floor to each floor where the heat storage chambers are installed, but also raises the deep crustal heat to the lowest floor through the heat transfer pipes (Fig. 12, Fig. 13), and is necessary for the maintenance of the satellite shafts 12 and heat storage chambers 3 from the lowest floor upwards. It is particularly indispensable for the transport of large equipment such as long piping, pumps, absorption chillers (for producing liquid air), and large fans. It also provides space for the installation of a wind tunnel to send fresh air to the lower floors.

[0049] (Overall excavation method from land side) Here, the overall excavation method from the land side will be described below. First, a tunnel T that slopes diagonally downward at a predetermined angle from the land side is used to connect to the power station floor (inside the ocean crust) (first excavation step). Next, from the power station floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to a predetermined depth, a satellite shaft is excavated together with the center shaft, a connecting shaft that connects the satellite shaft and the center shaft, and an elevator shaft are excavated around the center shaft (second excavation step shown in Figure 4(a)).

[0050] Then, using a drilling device that has been brought in from one of these shafts, or that has been brought in and assembled, a first cross shaft that intersects with the center shaft formed in the second drilling step is excavated (third drilling step).

[0051] Then, the excavated soil in the third excavation step is discharged through the elevator shaft to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10, and a first work floor surface 16a is formed in the first cross shaft, which has space to install at least one of an operator's room and a work equipment room, as well as a heat storage chamber (a heat medium pipe for transmitting deep crustal heat of 250°C to 500°C to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 via a heat medium moved by a pump is pulled into the satellite shaft via the connecting shaft and relayed) (fourth excavation step shown in Figure 4(b)).

[0052] Then, the working floor surface of the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 is replaced with the first working floor surface, and the second to fourth steps are performed sequentially until approaching the deep crustal heat zone, without shifting the position of the center shaft, to form a second working floor surface 16b in the second cross shaft (Figures 4(c) and (d)), and the center shaft is excavated from the working floor surface farthest from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to a position approaching the deep crustal heat zone (fifth excavation step).

[0053] Here, the size of the heat storage chamber 3 formed on each work floor surface is 2m in each of the vertical, horizontal and height directions as shown in Fig. 11(a). Also, the size of the worker room and the work equipment room formed on each work floor surface is 10m in length, width and height, respectively.

[0054] In this way, the size of the spaces X1 and X2 shown in FIG. 4 on each work floor surface is at least 30 m in length and width and 20 m in height.

[0055] In the second step, drilling the tunnel is done using a drilling device to make a hole in the hard rock, then dynamite is inserted and exploded, and the crushed rock is removed using a shovel loader. A shield machine can also be used to make larger spaces.

[0056] It is also possible to use the cryogenic fracturing drill head described in JP 2022-542910 A. That is, a cryogenic fluid such as cold water can be injected into a hot rock body to form a crack, and then the rotational motion or striking force of the drill head can be used to break the cracked rock body.

[0057] (Drilling a shaft using a vertical drilling machine) Here, the excavation of a vertical shaft using a vertical drilling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. When excavating a vertical shaft for using deep crustal heat for power generation, a vertical drilling machine (vertical sealing machine) that can be supported by a suspension member such as a chain so that the vertical position can be changed is used, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a connection box equipped with an extendable cutter arm that excavates the earth's crust in the horizontal direction is integrally connected between the vertical drilling machine and the suspension member.

[0058] As shown in Figure 1(a), the connection box is equipped with multiple cutter arms, and each cutter arm can extend or retract laterally depending on whether the feeder is on or off. That is, when the feeder is off, the cutter arms are retracted and the vertical excavator is supported together with the connection box by a suspension member (specifically, a chain). On the other hand, when the feeder is on, the cutter arms extend laterally, and the cutter heads attached to the tips of the cutter arms cut the andesite and peridotite as they move forward. At that time, the cutting debris is blown away by compressed air and sucked into a vacuum cleaner to capture it. In this way, when the cutter heads are biting into the andesite and peridotite (when the cutter arms are extended), the vertical excavator is supported by the connection box, not by the chain. Andesite and peridotite are dense and hard, and can support extremely heavy weights.

[0059] The power generation excavation method according to this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0060] This is a power generation drilling method in which, when drilling a shaft to use deep crustal heat for power generation, a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member so that its vertical position can be changed is used to drill a shaft, the method comprising: a first step of integrally connecting a connection box equipped with an extendable cutter arm that drills the crust laterally between the vertical drilling machine and the suspension member, in which the cutter arm contracts and supports the vertical drilling machine via the connection box with the suspension member; and a second step of extending the cutter arm and supporting the vertical drilling machine with the connection box whose tip side is held in the crust, thereby drilling a shaft.

[0061] Here, in the second step, a vertical shaft is excavated with a vertical drilling machine, but in the first step, the premise may be that a vertical shaft is excavated with a vertical drilling machine, or that a vertical shaft is not excavated with a vertical drilling machine.

[0062] The power-generating drilling device according to this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0063] When drilling a shaft for using deep crustal heat for power generation, a power generating drilling device is integrally connected between a vertical drilling machine that can be supported by a suspension member and the suspension member so that the vertical position can be changed, the power generating drilling device is provided with a cutter arm that can be extended and retracted to drill the earth's crust in the horizontal direction, and when the cutter arm is retracted, the vertical drilling machine is supported by the suspension member in a first state; and a second state in which, when the cutter arm is extended, the tip side of the cutter arm is held by the crust and the vertical drilling machine is supported by the cutter arm and the crust to excavate the shaft. The power-generating drilling machine may be configured by integrating a connection box and a vertical drilling machine as the power-generating drilling machine.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the tension of the chain as a suspension member can be relaxed, and the life of the chain as a suspension member can be extended. In addition, the cutter arm can also support the torque generated as a reaction force of the cutting force of the vertical excavator.

[0065] The tip side of the chain, which is a suspension member, is attached to the above-mentioned connection box, but the rear end side of the chain, which is a suspension member, first fits into a recessed groove provided in the chain drive pulley at the middle part, so that the chain is wound around an angle of about 90 degrees, and through the chain drive pulley, which fixes the position of the chain, the chain descends under its own weight at the rear end and is placed in a loose state in the half of the drum can directly below the chain drive pulley. The chain drive pulley is connected to a small motor via a reducer, and the chain drive pulley can be rotated by the small motor.

[0066] By rotating the chain drive pulley forward or backward, the chain attached to the connection box can be wound up or down, thereby raising or lowering the vertical excavator.

[0067] As for the location of the chain drive pulley, when digging a center shaft, as shown in FIG. 2(a), it is provided above the floor of the connecting shaft 33 between the center shaft and one of the adjacent satellite shafts, and above the floor of the satellite shaft on the opposite side.

[0068] In addition, when digging a satellite shaft, as shown in FIG. 2(b), it is installed above the floor of the connecting shaft 33 between the center shaft and the satellite shaft on the opposite side, and above the floor of the center shaft.

[0069] In addition, the connecting shafts are excavated at a height that is close to the center shaft when it is excavated. The chains are delivered in the desired length, and can be lengthened by connecting them with special connecting links if necessary.

[0070] Here, with regard to the drilling method for power generation, after the above-mentioned second step, the cutter arm can be retracted and the vertical drilling machine can be lowered via the connection box by the suspension member (third step), and the cutter arm can be extended again and the tip side of the cutter arm can be supported by the connection box held in the earth's crust to excavate a vertical shaft (fourth step).

[0071] This allows the drilling of deep shafts, and also reduces the tension on the chains used as suspension members, extending their lifespan. The cutter arm can also withstand the torque generated as a reaction force to the cutting action of the vertical drilling machine.

[0072] (Excavation of dome-shaped tunnels using unmanned excavators) As shown in FIG. 9(a), a dome room is provided on the work floor of each floor together with a heat storage room. The dome room constitutes at least one of a worker room and a work equipment room. This dome room is similar to the dome 70 in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 9(b), by feeding an ample amount of fresh mountain air into the dome and maintaining a positive pressure inside, air leaks steadily through the gaps in the canvas (roof membrane) that forms the dome, and the air inside is always kept fresh. Then, by discharging the leaked air to the outside, the air between the excavated dome-shaped crust and the canvas (roof membrane) inflated by the internal air is discharged from the dome building. As a result, the radiant heat received from the outer wall of the dome is discharged by the moving air, and the air temperature between the outer wall of the dome and the canvas (roof membrane) of the dome drops.

[0073] Furthermore, by making the outer surface of the dome canvas (roof membrane) highly reflective, the radiant heat emitted by the exterior walls is repelled, significantly reducing the amount of heat transferred into the dome.

[0074] The method of blocking the radiant heat coming from the ground inside the dome is to first lay a thick layer (2-5m) of large crushed stone resulting from large excavations on the ground inside the dome, cover that with two layers of nonwoven fabric, and then lay a thick layer (2-5m) of medium-sized crushed stone on top of that. Then, cover that with two layers of nonwoven fabric, and lay small crushed stone on top of that. Then, lay a thick layer (10-15m) of topsoil (transported by return dump trucks) obtained from a landfill site for soil removal on the mountain. This creates soil that contains a lot of air, which provides great insulation.

[0075] To insulate the vertical circumference of the dome, a thick layer (2 to 5 m) of insulating material, mainly rock wool, will be attached to the walls, and the steel-framed walls will be covered with highly insulating building materials such as ALC panels.

[0076] In this embodiment, it is necessary to excavate a part of the upper surface of the adit into a dome shape, which can be done using an unmanned excavator as shown in Fig. 9(c). This unmanned excavator can move on a caterpillar cart and is equipped with a camera, and AI (artificial intelligence) can be used to set the excavator in a three-dimensional position according to the camera image.

[0077] 9(a), a first shaft is required to take in fresh air into the dome room to keep the inside of the dome room at a positive pressure, and a second shaft is required to let air leak out of the canvas (roof membrane) of the dome room to cool the air outside the dome room. Such a first shaft and second shaft can be provided separately, and for example, an elevator shaft can be used as the first shaft, and the second shaft can be provided near or above the dome room.

[0078] Also, instead of providing the first and second shafts separately, the same elevator shaft can be used as both the first and second shafts. That is, Fig. 10 shows the horizontal cross-sectional structure when the elevator shaft is used as a wind tunnel shaft, and an ALC plate outer cylinder and an ALC plate inner cylinder held by ALC plate holding steel are provided on the outer periphery of the elevator car held by the elevator car support rail. Then, three spaces (outside the ALC plate outer cylinder, between the ALC plate outer cylinder and the ALC plate inner cylinder, and inside the ALC plate inner cylinder) are appropriately divided into the first shaft and the second shaft.

[0079] That is, the spaces S0 and S1 in Fig. 10 correspond to the first shaft for taking in fresh air into the dome room, and the space S3 through the intermediate space S2 in Fig. 10 corresponds to the second shaft for discharging air. Elevators often stop at each floor, and space S0 can function as the first shaft for taking in fresh air together with space S1. In the intermediate space S2, air leaking from the ALC plate inner tube flows into the ALC plate outer tube due to the pressure difference, and the air leaking from the ALC plate outer tube is discharged to the outside from space S3 using an exhaust fan.

[0080] The interior of the elevator car can be cooled by using an air tunnel made of this lightweight aerated concrete, and the use of such an air tunnel can save liquid air by replacing it with liquid air, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9(b).

[0081] In Fig. 10, an ALC plate inner tube and an ALC plate outer tube are used to provide an intermediate space S2, but it is also possible to use a single ALC plate tube that serves as both an ALC plate inner tube and an ALC plate outer tube without providing an intermediate space S2. It is also possible to decide whether or not to provide an intermediate space S2 depending on the floor. For example, it is possible to have a structure in which an intermediate space S2 is not provided between floors that are shallow underground, and an intermediate space S2 is provided between floors that are deep underground.

[0082] Here, for the dome room shown in Fig. 9(b), cooling equipment is provided for the worker room, and cooling equipment is provided for the work equipment room. For this type of cooling or cooling, liquid air (liquid obtained by lowering the temperature of air) that can be produced in-house using electricity is sent to an evaporator and mixed with gaseous air (gaseous air), where the liquid air evaporates and removes the heat of evaporation, lowering the temperature of the gaseous air.

[0083] Using this principle, the one shown in Figure 9(b) uses artificial liquid air instead of liquid air. That is, an oxygen cylinder 44 and a nitrogen tank 45 are installed, and oxygen and nitrogen are mixed in the ratio of 79% and 21%, respectively, to create artificial air. The liquid oxygen cylinder 44 is connected to a vaporizer mixer 46 via a liquid oxygen supply valve, and the liquid nitrogen tank 45 is connected to the vaporizer mixer 46 via a liquid nitrogen supply valve. The vaporizer mixer 46 can take in room temperature air (gaseous air) through an outside air intake adjustment valve or the like. The liquid turns into gas and removes the heat of evaporation, and the low temperature air (cooled air) 47 is supplied from the vaporizer mixer 46.

[0084] In Fig. 9(b), a rest room 50 is provided as a worker room where workers can take a rest, cooled by low-temperature air 47 and further cooled or heated by a heat pipe system 51. Also provided is a work equipment room where an excavator 52, an AI robot and underground suit 48, air bearings 49 as a transport device, etc. are stored in a cooled condition.

[0085] Regarding the underground clothing 48, there are heat-resistant clothing (fire-resistant clothing) that can withstand radiant heat up to 1000 degrees (manufactured by JUTEC / U-TECH) and fire-resistant clothing worn by firefighters that can withstand heat temperatures of 500℃ to 600℃. Furthermore, if you are going to work for a little longer, you can wear a three-layered suit, with liquid air injected into the middle layer, and the vaporized air goes into the inner layer, and then moves to the outer layer. This way, you can work safely without exposing your body to the hot air due to the air that has penetrated into the outer layer.

[0086] (Utilization of deep crustal heat using heat transfer pipes) 1)Heating medium pipe The heat transfer pipe refers to a pipe for transmitting geothermal heat from a deep geothermal heat region to the power plant floor (within the ocean crust) 10 via a heat transfer medium.

[0087] In Figure 3, the heat source is not volcanic magma, but deep crustal thermal fields, and the heat given off when radioactive isotopes in the Earth's outer core decay is utilized to generate electricity (or more preferably, temperature difference electricity (utilizing the Seebeck effect)).

[0088] The heat from the deep earth's high temperature zone 1 is drawn up to the power plant via a heat transfer medium as a fluid (drawn up by a pump) that moves inside a heat transfer pipe 20 located close to the deep earth's high temperature zone 1, and is used for power generation. A preferable specific example of power generation is temperature difference power generation, and the heat from the deep earth's high temperature zone 1 is provided to the high temperature side of the temperature difference power generation.

[0089] 2) Heat storage chambers installed on each work floor surface with different depths Here, the heat medium pipe 20 connects the heat storage chambers 3 provided at every depth of 200 to 500 m (FIG. 6(b)). The reason for connecting the heat medium pipe 20 at each heat storage chamber 3 is that if the length of the heat medium pipe 20 becomes longer than a predetermined value, the pressure of the heat medium inside the heat medium pipe 20 increases and the heat medium pipe 20 will burst. To avoid this, the length of the heat medium pipe 30 is set so as to connect the heat storage chambers 3 provided at every depth of 200 to 500 m.

[0090] Then, the heat transfer pipe 20 is lowered from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 through the center shaft 11 to match the floor of the heat storage chamber 3 that is closest to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), by moving (pulling) the heat transfer pipe 20 laterally from the center shaft 11 to the satellite shaft 12 via the connecting shaft 33, it becomes possible to raise the deep crustal heat from the heat storage chamber 3 that is closest to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to the power plant floor side.

[0091] Similarly, by running a heat transfer pipe 20 from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to the heat storage chamber 3 on the floor below, it becomes possible to raise deep crustal heat from the heat storage chamber 3 on the lower floor through the heat storage chamber on the upper floor (the heat storage chamber at the depth closest to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10).

[0092] In this way, by running the heat transfer pipes 20 into the heat storage chambers 3 (Figure 6(b)) on each floor, it is possible to raise deep crustal heat to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 via the heat storage chambers 3 on each floor.

[0093] The heat transfer pipe 20 from the heat storage chamber 3 located at the deepest position from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 extends to near the deep crust region, making it possible to raise the deep crustal heat from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to the heat storage chamber 3 located at the deepest position. In this way, the deep crustal heat is raised to the power plant via each heat storage chamber 3.

[0094] Inside each heat storage chamber 3, as shown in FIG. 14, efficient heat exchange takes place between the high-temperature heat medium α (moved by pump P on the left side of the figure) and the low-temperature (low-temperature) heat medium β (moved by pump P on the right side of the figure), thereby reducing heat loss.

[0095] Fig. 11(a) is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the folded heat transfer pipe 38 into the heat storage chamber through the horizontally long hole 39 in the material factory (Fig. 3) on the power plant floor 10. Inside the heat storage chamber 3, a total of 80 pipes are installed, including 40 heat transfer pipes A arranged vertically in the horizontal plane and 40 heat transfer pipes B arranged horizontally in the horizontal plane.

[0096] 11(b) is similar to Fig. 14, but shows the inside of the heat storage chamber 3 and also shows that the heat medium in each heat medium pipe 20 is drawn up to the heat storage chamber 3 on the upper floor by a pump P. As a driving source for operating the pump P, for example, a Stirling engine can be used.

[0097] The heat storage chamber 3 shown in Figure 11 (c) is made of blocks of heat storage bricks (heat-resistant bricks containing a material that increases the specific heat) stacked in multiple layers as a lower layer, middle layer, and upper layer, with insulation material provided in the lower and upper layers, and a first group of heat transfer pipes (heat transfer pipes A 28) and a second group of heat transfer pipes (heat transfer pipes B 29) are stacked alternately so as to cross (orthogonally cross) each other through holes provided in the blocks in the middle layer.

[0098] The heat storage chambers 3 on each floor are assembled on the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10, lowered to each floor through the elevator shaft 13, and installed on the work floor of each floor. Then, on each floor, the heat storage chambers 3 are connected to a piping unit 100 (FIG. 6(a)) described later.

[0099] Regarding the more specific assembly of the heat storage chamber 3, a large number of cubic blocks of heat storage bricks, each 2 m long, wide, and high, are fabricated on the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10, and oblong holes for the heat transfer pipes are drilled in the side walls of the blocks. The blocks are then lifted horizontally by a forklift and stacked.

[0100] The lower floors of the block (e.g., the first and second floors) are filled with insulation material, and on the middle floors (e.g., the third to sixth floors), the heat transfer pipes 38 are folded multiple times as shown in Figure 11(a) and inserted horizontally through the oblong holes 39 mentioned above, and then vertically on the floors above that, and then horizontally on the floors above that.

[0101] And, pack the blocks on the higher floors (for example, the 7th floor) with insulation material. And, it is more preferable to thickly cover the area around and the top of the heat storage chamber with insulation material to enhance the insulation effect.

[0102] The small semicircular window shown on the left side of Figure 11(c) allows one to see the heat transfer tube inserted at the bottom.

[0103] 11(c), reference numeral 25 denotes a heat storage material wall portion, 26 denotes a heat storage material beam portion, and 27 denotes a heat storage material partition wall portion. The heat storage material partition wall portion 27 is a wall penetrating a heat medium A pipe 28 and a heat medium B pipe 29.

[0104] Here, Fig. 12 shows the state of the deepest heat storage chamber 3 from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10. In Fig. 12, a heat medium pipe 20 inside a center shaft excavated below the working floor surface where the deepest heat storage chamber (lowest heat storage chamber) 3 is installed from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 extends to near the deep crustal heat area, and deep crustal heat is lifted up to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 via the heat storage chamber and the heat storage chamber above it.

[0105] In FIG. 12, the liquid heat transfer medium 2 in the cooling tower 18 is changed to gas (steam) 17, and the heat transfer medium is used as a gas rather than a liquid. The heat transfer medium 2, which was liquid due to the high temperature, suddenly becomes gas (steam) 17, and the specific gravity decreases, so that the pressure inside can be kept low even if the heat transfer pipe is set long, and the rupture of the heat transfer pipe 20 can be avoided. Since it is considered that the work surface on the lowest level will be exposed to high heat and will be difficult to work on, there is an advantage to adopting this method of moving the work surface on the lowest level away from the deep crustal heat region (using a longer heat transfer pipe).

[0106] The cross-sectional configuration of the heat transfer pipe extending from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to near the deep crustal zone is as shown in Figure 13(a), with multiple heat collection pipes 21 (inexpensive general SUS steel pipes can be used without using special piping materials that can withstand high pressure) arranged circumferentially around a central heat recovery pipe 22 (the heat transfer medium moves inside the pipe due to the action of pump P) and a protective pipe 23 that protects the entire system is provided on the outside.

[0107] With this three-layer structure, the heat collection pipes surround the heat recovery pipes to prevent the temperature of the heated heat transfer medium from dropping, and they act as insulators to prevent heat from being released into the surrounding crust.

[0108] The longitudinal configuration of such heat transfer pipes is such that a centralized heat collection pipe of about 200 to 500 m is attached at the bottom layer, and a multiple spiral tube is embedded inside the centralized heat collection pipe to increase the heat collection effect (Figure 13(a)).

[0109] Then, in the bottom layer, the configuration described above in relation to Figure 12 is used (the heat transfer medium 2, which is liquid due to the high temperature, quickly turns into gas (steam) 17, and as its specific gravity decreases, the pressure inside the heat transfer pipe can be kept low even if the heat transfer pipe is set long, and the heat transfer pipe can be prevented from bursting,) but water or mercury is used as the liquid heat transfer medium.

[0110] Here, Fig. 13(b) shows the flow of the heat medium between adjacent floors in the depth direction. The high-temperature heat medium α rising from the bottom in the depth direction and the lower-temperature heat medium β descending from the top exchange heat inside the same heat medium tube, which can contribute to the efficiency of power generation. In other words, the heat medium α and the heat medium β exchange heat inside the heat storage chamber and outside the heat storage chamber. Fig. 13(b) shows that heat is exchanged between the heat recovery pipe 22 constituting the heat medium pipe and the heat collection pipe 21 around it outside the heat storage chamber.

[0111] (Assembling the heat transfer pipes and pulling them in by moving them sideways to each floor) First, as shown in FIG. 15(a), a center shaft is installed on the power station floor (within the ocean crust) 10. A tower is constructed on top of 11, and the heat transfer pipes for each floor, including the first basement floor, are assembled by welding the basic pipes. The heat transfer pipe for the first basement floor is lowered from the center shaft 11 and moved sideways to the first satellite shaft 12-1 (Figure 6) and pulled into the heat storage chamber for the first basement floor, which is formed on the work floor surface for the first basement floor.

[0112] Similarly, the heat transfer pipe for the second basement floor is lowered from the center shaft 11 and moved laterally to the second satellite shaft 12-2 (Figure 4) and pulled into the heat storage chamber for the first basement floor which is formed on the work floor surface for the second basement floor.

[0113] As for the heat transfer pipe for the lowest layer, it is lowered from the center shaft 11 and moved laterally to the n-th satellite shaft 12-n, and then drawn into the heat storage chamber for the lowest layer formed on the work floor surface for the lowest layer.

[0114] A piping unit 100 (Figure 6(a)) is provided on each work floor surface, and the piping unit 100 connects the heat transfer pipe from the lower floor to the heat transfer pipe to the upper floor and the heat storage chamber. If the heat storage chamber is likened to a large hot water pool, the piping unit can be likened to a small hot water pool. Deep crustal heat flows from the bottom to the top, but in the intermediate space between the heat transfer pipe from the lower floor and the heat transfer pipe to the upper floor, it is pooled in the piping unit as a small hot water pool, and in the heat storage chamber as a large hot water pool.

[0115] In the piping unit and heat storage chamber in this intermediate space, the heat transfer pipes are designed as shown in Fig. 13(b) (the heat recovery pipes 22 and the heat collection pipes 21 around them) to prevent the deep crustal heat from cooling. In other words, the high-temperature heat transfer medium α rising from the bottom in the depth direction and the lower-temperature heat transfer medium β falling from the top exchange heat inside the same heat transfer pipe.

[0116] Here, the significance of providing a heat storage chamber is that the heat transfer from the internal environment of the heat transfer pipe is not sufficient. That is, the significance of providing a heat storage chamber is to transfer heat from the external environment of the heat transfer pipe (to make the surrounding environment of the heat transfer pipe warm and to receive heat from adjacent different heat transfer pipes).

[0117] Such heat transfer pipes 20 are bundled with small flanges 132 as shown in FIG. 15(b). The heat transfer pipes 20 are placed on a disk supported by about ten rotating chains 63 and gradually lowered via rotating pulleys 62. When the pipes reach the destination floor, they are moved laterally from the center shaft 11 to the satellite shaft 12 and connected to the heat storage chamber 3.

[0118] (Unitization of heat transfer pipes) As described above, the heat transfer pipes (having a heat recovery pipe in the center of the cross section, multiple heat collection pipes in the peripheral portion of the cross section, and a protective pipe on the outer portion of the cross section) that are bundled with small flanges 132 (corresponding to Figure 15(c) and further Figure 16(b) described below) and moved laterally to the satellite shaft are unitized as a heat transfer pipe unit, thereby increasing the number of heat transfer pipes in the satellite shaft and keeping the width of the connecting shaft 33 for lateral movement small.

[0119] Specifically, the number of heat transfer pipes moved laterally into the satellite shaft can be set to 90. The diameter of the center shaft is 8000φ (8m) (or 9000φ (9m)), while the diameter of the satellite shaft is 9000φ (9m).

[0120] Regarding the heat transfer pipes arranged inside the satellite shaft, a plurality of heat transfer pipes restricted by small flanges 132 are moved laterally to the satellite shaft 12 in time series order.

[0121] That is, a heat transfer pipe a having a diameter of 415 mm configured as shown in Fig. 16(a) (having a heat recovery pipe 22 having a diameter of 216.3 mm in the cross-sectional center, a plurality of heat collection pipes 21 having a diameter of 89.1 mm in the cross-sectional peripheral portion, and a protective pipe 23 on the outer side of the cross-sectional portion) is used as a1 to a8 and unitized as a heat transfer pipe unit A having a diameter of 2000 mm as shown in Fig. 16(b). Unitization enables mass production by an automatic welding method using a welding robot, resulting in significant cost reduction.

[0122] Then, nine heat transfer pipe units A (A1 to A9) are arranged in the satellite shaft 12 as a heat transfer pipe group with a diameter of 9000 mm shown in FIG. 16(c). More specifically, while being restricted by a small flange 132 (having openings corresponding to the heat transfer pipe units a1 to a8) with a plate thickness of 10 mm and a diameter of 2000 mm shown in FIG. 16(c), the heat transfer pipe units A1 to A10 are arranged in chronological order in the satellite shaft 12 as shown in FIG. 17(c). That is, first, the heat transfer pipe unit A1 is arranged in the position shown in FIG. 17(c), then the heat transfer pipe unit A2 is arranged in the position shown in FIG. 17(c), similarly the heat transfer pipe units A3 to A8 are arranged in the positions shown in FIG. 17(c), and finally the heat transfer pipe unit A9 is arranged in the position shown in FIG. 17(c).

[0123] With this configuration, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the width of the connecting shaft 33 can be reduced to about 3000 mm (larger than the diameter of the small flange 132, 2000 mm). In this embodiment, assuming that the diameter of the satellite shaft is 9000φ (9 m), the area of ​​the upper and lower shaft excavator lengths + 5000 mm in Fig. 7(b) is large at 9500 mm, but the vertical length of the area with a width of 3000 mm is longer than the area with a width of 9500 mm, which reduces the cost of the excavation process.

[0124] (Piping unit) Here, in FIG. 17, the piping unit in this embodiment is shown. FIGS. 17(a), (b) and (c) are a plan view, a vertical cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the piping unit in this embodiment, respectively.

[0125] Figure 17(a) is a plan view of the piping units arranged in the satellite shaft, and corresponds to the heat transfer pipe group (heat transfer pipe units A1 to A9) in Figure 16(c). A collecting chamber is provided in the center, and piping is connected radially to each heat transfer pipe unit by flanges indicated by thick black lines.

[0126] In this piping unit, the upper and lower chambers are joined in a structure in which they are arranged symmetrically with respect to the joining surface, as shown in Figure 17(b). The upper and lower chambers each have a peripheral bank portion formed in a ring shape around the periphery, a central bank portion whose center is the highest, and a recessed portion between them.

[0127] Heat medium pipe units A1 to A9 are connected to the peripheral banks of the upper chamber, and the heat recovery pipe 22 reaches the lower chamber from the upper chamber across the joint surface, while the heat collection pipe 21 remains in the upper chamber.

[0128] The inside of the collective chamber and the inside of the heat storage chamber of the floor are connected by piping so as to go under the peripheral bank of the lower chamber. Specifically, the position P of the collective chamber part in the lower chamber and the heat storage chamber of the floor are connected by piping so as to go under the peripheral bank of the lower chamber.

[0129] In addition, the position Q of the collective chamber in the upper chamber and the heat storage chamber of the corresponding floor are connected by piping as follows. That is, position Q and position R of the recess are connected as part of the piping connection, and the piping is bent straight down from position R and descends, then bent again and connected so as to go under the peripheral bank of the lower chamber. This makes it possible to avoid physical interference with the heat transfer pipe unit.

[0130] Heat medium α that has passed through the heat storage chamber on the lower floor and the heat medium pipe from the lower floor fills the inside of the piping leading to the heat storage chamber on that floor and the inside of the bank around the lower chamber. Also, heat medium β that has passed through the heat storage chamber on the upper floor and the heat medium pipe from the upper floor fills the inside of the piping leading to the heat storage chamber on that floor and the inside of the bank around the upper chamber.

[0131] According to the structure of this embodiment, the high-temperature heat transfer medium α rising from below in the depth direction and the lower-temperature heat transfer medium β descending from above exchange heat not only inside the heat storage chamber on that floor, but also in the collecting chamber, which is the piping unit, thereby contributing to the efficiency of power generation.

[0132] (Excavation of tunnel access for utilizing deep crustal heat for thermal power generation) In this embodiment, the power station 9 is constructed by connecting about 10 units, each having a base dimension of 3500 square meters and a height of 30 meters, on the XY plane, as shown in FIG.

[0133] Then, in order to form a huge power station using many thermoelectric power generation element units that generate electricity by utilizing the heat from the deep earth's crust, many tunnel access tunnels will be excavated. If existing tunnels can be used, they will also be used.

[0134] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the method includes the steps of forming a plurality of tunnels, each having a diameter of 8 m, spaced apart from each other in a first direction (X direction) at a predetermined interval (e.g., 16 m), and forming second tunnel adits, each spaced apart from the first tunnel adit in the depth direction (Z direction) at a predetermined interval (e.g., 16 m), in a second direction (Y direction) intersecting the first direction, at a predetermined interval (e.g., 16 m).

[0135] In this way, the first group of tunnels and the second group of tunnels are arranged so as to intersect (orthogonally) with each other (FIG. 19(a)).

[0136] The siding 53 shown in Figures 18 and 19(b) refers to a siding or shunting track to each tunnel adit that is provided separately from the track (rail) laid inside each tunnel adit so that moving vehicles can move inside the tunnel adit. The lower floor surface of Figure 19(b) shows the state after being pulled into the tunnel adit, and the upper floor surface of Figure 19(b) shows the state before a new thermoelectric element unit 4 is pulled into the tunnel adit by a maintenance and replacement vehicle.

[0137] The overall layout space of each tunnel 42 is such that about 10 units, each 3500 m in the X and Y directions and 30 m in the Z direction, are connected to each other within the XY plane.

[0138] In each tunnel 42, a plurality of thermoelectric power generation element units 4 spaced 16 m apart from one another are carried in and installed by a mobile vehicle 72 such as a trolley shown in Fig. 18 in a connected state. Then, the thermoelectric power generation elements in different tunnels 42 are connected to one another by sidings 53.

[0139] (Thermoelectric power generation element unit) Generally, thermoelectric generating elements (temperature difference generating elements) are known from the following documents.

[0140] · January 13, 2021 issue Journal of physics D; Applied physics pp.115503 Mixed-Phase effect of the high Seebeck coefficient and low electrical resistivity in the Ag2S 2) August 21, 2019, Nikkei Shimbun NEDO, Aisin Seiki, and Ibaraki University announced that they have succeeded in developing a technology that uses only common materials to generate electricity using slight temperature differences such as body heat. Made of iron, aluminum, and silicon, it does not contain any rare or toxic elements like conventional materials, and material costs can be reduced to one-fifth or less.

[0141] It is expected that further research and development of such thermoelectric power generation elements will be carried out in the future. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric power generation elements using the Seebeck effect are unitized as thermoelectric power generation element units (element units), and the earth's heat transmitted to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 by the heat medium pipe is circulated to the high temperature side, while cold water is circulated to the low temperature side, and electricity is generated by the temperature difference between the two. A large number of these element units are used to configure a huge power plant with a capacity of several million kW.

[0142] In Fig. 20(a), the element board 37 is arranged two-dimensionally, and the heat medium flow path and the cold water flow path are arranged perpendicular to each other. In Fig. 20(a) and (b), 38 indicates the flow of high-temperature heat medium α, 39 indicates the flow of cold water, 40 indicates drainage, and 41 indicates the return of the cooled heat medium β to the heat storage chamber.

[0143] By providing a large number of such thermoelectric generating elements (for example, 100 billion elements when the temperature difference is 100° C.), a large power plant such as the one shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 can output a large amount of power (for example, 2 million kW).

[0144] (Hydrogen production) The above explains power generation using deep geothermal heat, but this is not limited to obtaining electricity through power generation, and also includes the generation (production) of hydrogen (green hydrogen) using power generation. Figure 22 shows that hydrogen (green hydrogen) is generated (produced) by adding power generation using deep geothermal heat and water to an electrolytic cell.

[0145] Hydrogen has a wide range of uses, including fuel cells, engines for ships, heat utilization in industrial furnaces, reduction ironmaking (as an alternative to coke), and chemical synthesis. 2 This can make a significant contribution to reduction.

[0146] And the important thing is that by using deep crustal heat without relying on coal or oil (fuel costs are free), hydrogen can be produced at low cost. And when generating electricity using the temperature difference power generation method, CO 2 This would result in no emissions at all, which would be the most favorable form for the global environment.

[0147] According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, unlike power generation that uses magma steam, which can become unstable due to the movement of magma, it is expected that power generation will be stable over an ultra-long period and even large-scale power generation will be possible.

[0148] By using the drilling method according to this embodiment, fuel-free power generation that does not use fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas becomes possible, eliminating the need to import fuel (self-supplied emergy source). Since the demand in the metropolitan area can be met from power plants in the suburbs, the transmission distance becomes shorter, reducing transmission losses. In addition, most of the equipment has no moving parts, has a long life, and reduces maintenance costs.

[0149] Furthermore, it can be used in most places around the world, except in volcanic areas and places prone to tectonic activity. It is possible to generate electricity in the desert, draw water from large rivers and lakes, green the desert, and build oasis cities with large-scale power generation. And by turning the desert into arable land, it is possible to increase food production to alleviate the world's food shortage.

[0150] (Modification) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the satellite shafts as shown in Fig. 5 are assumed to be provided symmetrically on both sides of the center shaft, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the satellite shafts may be provided on one side of the center shaft. This is because a certain number of chains as suspension members can support the shaft excavator integrated with the connection box.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the center shaft is described as being provided penetrating from the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 to a position approaching the deep crustal heat area, but the center shaft may be provided so as to suitably follow a continuous trajectory from a position approaching the deep crustal heat area to the power plant floor (inside the ocean crust) 10 via a plurality of heat storage chambers. For example, the center shaft 11 may be provided parallel to and offset between different work floor surfaces by increasing the number of heat storage chambers and shortening the heat storage pipes connecting adjacent heat storage chambers in the depth direction, thereby providing a height for the work floor surface and erecting the heat storage pipes on the work floor surface.

[0153] Moreover, the above-mentioned shafts may be excavated simultaneously from the power station level (within the ocean crust) 10, or may be excavated non-simultaneously.

[0154] In addition, the satellite shaft 12 is not limited to being formed between the center shaft 11 and the elevator shaft 13 (FIG. 5), but the center shaft 11 may be formed between the satellite shaft 12 and the elevator shaft 13.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the crustal heat from non-volcanic deep crustal heat areas is used to generate electricity by a temperature difference power generation system, but the crustal heat from non-volcanic deep crustal heat areas may be used to generate electricity by a known turbine system as shown in Fig. 21. The crustal heat from non-volcanic deep crustal heat areas may be shared between the temperature difference power generation system and the turbine system, for example, with the temperature difference power generation system being the main source of electricity generation and the turbine system being the secondary source of electricity generation for the remainder.

[0156] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tunnel heading toward the power plant from the land side has an area that slopes diagonally downward from the land side, but it may also be a tunnel that connects a vertical tunnel up to the power plant's installation surface with a horizontal tunnel within the power plant's installation surface (using two sides that form a right angle instead of the hypotenuse of a right triangle).

[0157] Although the power plant has been described as being located on a power plant floor inside the ocean crust (below the seabed), the power plant may also be located on the ground floor (for example, inside a mountain). [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 1··Deep crust high temperature zone, 3··Heat storage chamber, 4··Thermoelectric power generation element unit, 9··Power plant (inside the ocean crust), 10··Power plant floor (inside the ocean crust), 11··Center shaft, 12··Satellite shaft, 13...Elevator shaft, 16...Work floor, 20··Heat transfer pipe, 28··Heat transfer A piping, 29··Heat transfer B piping, 33··Connecting shaft, 50··Resting room, P··Pump, T·Tunnel

Claims

1. A power generation excavation method for excavating a shaft for using deep crustal heat for power generation, comprising the steps of: excavating the shaft using a vertical excavator that can be supported by a suspension member so that the vertical position can be changed; A connection box having an extendable cutter arm for excavating the earth's crust in a horizontal direction is integrally connected between the vertical excavator and the suspension member; a first step in which the cutter arm is retracted and the suspension member supports the vertical excavator via the connection box; a second step of supporting the vertical excavator with the connection box in which the cutter arm is extended and the tip side of the cutter arm is held in the earth's crust, thereby excavating the shaft; 1. A method for drilling for power generation, comprising:

2. a third step of retracting the cutter arm and lowering the vertical excavator via the connection box by the suspension member after the second step; The method for excavating the power generating plant according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth step of supporting the vertical drilling machine with the connection box, the tip side of which is held in the earth's crust, and excavating the shaft.

3. 3. The method for excavating a shaft for generating electricity according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first step, the vertical excavator is supported by the suspension member via the connection box to excavate the shaft.

4. The power generating excavation method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of excavating a cross tunnel to form at least one of a heat storage chamber that relays the heat transfer medium pipe through which the deep crustal heat flows together with a heat transfer medium, and an operator room and a work equipment room equipped with equipment for cooling by vaporizing liquid air, on each floor.

5. At least one of the operator room and the work equipment room is a dome room having a roof membrane along a dome shape, 5. The method for excavating for power generation according to claim 4, further comprising excavating a part of the upper surface of the adit into a dome shape by using an unmanned excavating machine so as to correspond to the dome shape.

6. The power generating drilling method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of excavating a first shaft for bringing in fresh air and a second shaft for discharging air, which are used to bring in fresh air into the inside of the dome chamber to maintain a positive pressure inside the dome chamber to support the roof membrane, and to allow air to leak through the roof membrane to cool the air outside the dome chamber that conforms to the dome shape.

7. The excavation method for power generation according to claim 6, characterized in that the first shaft and the second shaft are also used as elevator shafts for raising and lowering an elevator for transporting excavated soil.

8. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the suspension member is a chain.

9. A power generating excavation device that is integrally connected between a vertical excavator that can be supported by a suspension member and the suspension member so that the vertical position can be changed when excavating a vertical shaft for using deep crustal heat for power generation, Equipped with a telescopic cutter arm capable of excavating the earth's crust laterally, a first state in which the vertical excavator is supported by the suspension member when the cutter arm is retracted; a second state in which, when the cutter arm is extended, a tip side of the cutter arm is held by the crust and the vertical excavator is supported by the cutter arm and the crust to excavate the shaft; A power generating drilling rig characterized in that the above-mentioned can be set.

10. 10. The power generating drilling device according to claim 9, wherein the power generating drilling device is connected and integrated with the vertical drilling machine.

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