Enhanced geothermal systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geothermal energy production methods face inefficiencies in extracting heat from geothermal reservoirs, leading to intermittent energy supply and high operational costs due to reliance on inefficient heat transfer and low temperature working fluids.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a geothermal well system that includes injection and production wells with selectively accessible sub-zones, using hydraulic fracturing to enhance fluid conductivity and intelligent flow control devices to manage the working fluid's temperature and flow, ensuring a continuous and steady supply of heated fluid to the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hydraulic fracturing is used to enhance fluid conductivity in geothermal reservoirs, then heat transfer capability is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The production zone is divided into multiple selectively accessible sub-zones, allowing independent control of heat extraction from different fracture network segments. This segmentation enables optimized heat transfer from each sub-zone while managing overall system complexity through modular control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow control devices that can adjust conductivity and fluid flow in real-time based on temperature and pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment optimizes heat transfer capability while adapting to changing reservoir conditions, reducing the need for complex static infrastructure.
2Reliability
If multiple production sub-zones are selectively accessed to provide continuous heated fluid supply, then energy supply stability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The production zone is segmented into multiple independently controllable sub-zones, each with its own flow control devices. This allows selective access to different sub-zones to maintain continuous heated fluid supply, improving reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes multiple production sub-zones with flow control capabilities before operation begins. This preliminary configuration enables rapid switching between sub-zones to maintain continuous supply, avoiding the need for complex real-time system reconfiguration during operation.
3Productivity
If intelligent flow control devices are used to manage working fluid temperature and flow, then heat extraction efficiency is improved, but manufacturing and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control devices are designed to automatically adjust fluid flow and temperature based on sensor feedback from the reservoir conditions. This self-regulating capability improves heat extraction efficiency while reducing the need for complex external control systems and manual intervention, thereby lowering operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that continuously monitor temperature and pressure in the fracture networks. This feedback enables intelligent adjustment of flow control devices to optimize heat extraction efficiency while maintaining cost-effective operation through automated rather than manual control.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing or shallower reservoirs with lower temperatures are utilized, then capital expenditures are reduced, but heat transfer capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the working fluid and fracture network configuration to optimize heat extraction from lower temperature reservoirs. By adjusting fluid properties and fracture characteristics, the system maintains adequate heat transfer capability while utilizing shallower, lower-cost reservoirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates localized zones of enhanced heat transfer within the shallower reservoirs through targeted hydraulic fracturing. This local enhancement of thermal conductivity in specific sub-zones compensates for the lower overall reservoir temperature, maintaining heat extraction capability while reducing capital expenditures on deeper drilling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables a stable and efficient extraction of thermal energy from geothermal reservoirs, allowing for uninterrupted power generation and reducing capital and operational expenditures by utilizing existing or shallower reservoirs with lower temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
circulating the working fluid within the production zone in order to generate a heated working fluid
Implementation Method 2
The permeability of the resulting fracture network directly affects the heat transfer capability of the geothermal effluent as it circulates therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods of intelligently extracting heat from geothermal reservoirs. One geothermal well system includes at least one injection well extending to a subterranean formation and configured to inject a working fluid into the subterranean formation to generate a heated working fluid. At least one production well extends to the subterranean formation and produces the heated working fluid from the subterranean formation. A production zone defines a plurality of production sub-zones within the subterranean formation and provides fluid communication between the at least one injection well and the at least one production well. Each production sub-zone is selectively accessed in order to extract heated working fluid therefrom and thereby provide a steady supply of heated working fluid to the surface.