Geothermal Borehole Thermal Conductivity Feedback for Drilling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geothermal heating and cooling systems face inefficiencies due to lack of site-specific planning, reliance on standard-sized wells, and the absence of suitable drilling rigs for mid-range depth wells, leading to non-optimal performance, higher costs, and scalability issues, especially in urban and commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a downhole electrical resistivity tomography system for real-time data acquisition, using electrical drilling methods with coiled tubing and adaptive electrolytic conductivity, and integrating thermal conductivity measurements to optimize drilling based on subsurface conditions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing drilling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard-sized geothermal wells with pre-determined depths and spacings are constructed based on rule-of-thumb experience, then installation simplicity is maintained, but system performance becomes non-optimal and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal conductivity measurements and subsurface condition analysis before drilling begins. This advance characterization of the site allows for optimized well depth, spacing, and configuration to be determined beforehand, ensuring optimal system performance from the start while maintaining installation efficiency through clear guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drilling parameters and subsurface conditions during construction, providing real-time feedback that allows dynamic adjustment of drilling parameters. This feedback loop ensures the system adapts to actual site conditions, optimizing performance while maintaining installation efficiency through data-driven decision making.
2Ease of manufacture
If shallow geothermal wells with large horizontal pipe areas are used, then installation is simpler for residential systems, but the system becomes non-scalable for commercial buildings and high-density areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the geothermal well design based on site-specific parameters including building size, energy load, and available land area. For residential applications, it may recommend shallow horizontal loops, while for commercial buildings or high-density sites, it automatically transitions to deeper vertical borehole configurations, providing scalability across different application types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key design parameters such as well depth, borehole diameter, and pipe configuration based on the specific application requirements. By adjusting these parameters according to building size and energy demands, the same system can serve both residential and commercial applications effectively.
3Manufacturing precision
If thermal conductivity measurements and real-time data acquisition are implemented, then drilling precision and system optimization improve, but measurement complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical measurement equipment with electrical and electromagnetic sensing technologies. Thermal conductivity is measured through electrical resistance methods, and subsurface conditions are characterized using electromagnetic induction, simplifying the measurement apparatus while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system integrates multiple functions into a single platform, combining thermal conductivity measurement, electromagnetic sensing, real-time data processing, and drilling control. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining measurement precision.
4Reliability
If mid-range depth geothermal wells (500-10,000 feet) are drilled, then optimal performance for urban and commercial settings is achieved, but no off-the-shelf drilling rigs are available creating a technology gap
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is divided into modular components that can be configured for different depth ranges. The rig uses interchangeable drilling assemblies and can operate in segmented stages, allowing a single platform to serve multiple depth requirements from shallow residential to deep commercial applications.
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 improves drilling precision and reduces costs by providing real-time data for optimal well construction, enabling efficient and environmentally friendly geothermal system installation suitable for various site conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to detect the presence of objects ahead of a drill bit during drilling and avoid potential hazards.
Implementation Method 2
measuring thermal conductivities of rocks (e.g., at both surface and subsurface) at a geothermal field site
Implementation Method 3
transfers electrical power from the power source to the electric motor via at least a first portion of the CT string
Implementation Method 4
adaptively tunes the impedances between the electrodes and the under-test material by controlling an electrolytic conductivity of the drilling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system collects a plurality of drill cuttings from a subsurface of a geothermal borehole while drilling the borehole. The system obtains a plurality of thermal conductivity values for the plurality of drill cuttings. The system determines, using the plurality of thermal conductivity values, thermal performance data of the geothermal borehole. In accordance with a determination that the thermal performance data of the geothermal borehole meets or exceeds a threshold value, the system updates, according to the thermal performance data, one or more drilling parameters to one or more updated drilling parameters and controls the drilling of the geothermal borehole according to the one or more updated drilling parameters.