Geothermal Briny Fluid Heat Extraction Using Molten Salt Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal technologies face challenges in efficiently extracting and storing heat energy from geothermal briny fluids, often resulting in scaling issues, inability to reinject briny fluid, and high risks of toxic steam releases, especially during plant shutdowns, and lack the capability to transport heat to secondary locations for electricity production.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system that transfers heat energy from geothermal briny fluids to molten salt via a heat exchanger, allowing for the storage and transportation of heat energy, with the molten salt being used to heat thermal fluids or directly generate electricity, and incorporating nano-particles to enhance thermal storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional geothermal technologies are used to extract heat energy from briny fluid, then heat energy can be extracted, but scaling issues occur and briny fluid cannot be reinjected
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the briny fluid circulation loop from the heat transfer medium (water/steam) loop. The briny fluid circulates in a closed-loop system through the geothermal formation, while heat is transferred to a separate water/steam cycle that drives the turbine. This segmentation prevents scaling in the reinjection lines because the briny fluid is never exposed to atmospheric conditions that cause steam formation and condensation scaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary heat transfer mechanism where briny fluid transfers heat to water or steam through heat exchangers rather than directly contacting turbine components. This intermediary approach allows heat energy extraction while preventing direct contact between briny fluid and equipment that would otherwise suffer from scaling and contamination issues.
2Ease of operation
If conventional geothermal systems operate without closed-loop briny fluid system, then simpler operation is possible, but toxic steam releases occur especially during plant shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The briny fluid acts as an intermediary carrier that transports heat from the geothermal formation to heat exchangers without directly contacting the steam cycle or atmosphere. This prevents toxic steam releases because the briny fluid remains confined in the closed-loop circulation system between the injection and production wells, never escaping to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop briny fluid system creates an inert, contained environment where the geothermal fluid circulates exclusively between the subsformational reservoir and surface heat exchangers. This inert system prevents harmful emissions by ensuring the briny fluid never contacts atmospheric conditions that would cause toxic steam formation and release.
3Adaptability or versatility
If geothermal heat is used directly at the extraction site, then local energy needs are met, but heat cannot be transported to remote locations for electricity generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses molten salt as an intermediary heat transport medium. The briny fluid transfers heat to molten salt in heat exchangers, and the molten salt then transports this thermal energy to remote locations where it can generate electricity. This intermediary approach enables long-distance heat transport with minimal energy loss because molten salt maintains high temperatures and can be pumped through insulated pipelines to distant power generation facilities.
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
The system effectively addresses scaling issues, ensures nearly complete reinjection of briny fluid, reduces toxic steam releases, and enables the transportation of heat energy for remote electricity generation, providing a more efficient and sustainable geothermal energy extraction method.
Implementation Method 1
Briny fluid extracted via the extraction well may be directed into a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt system
Implementation Method 2
The molten salt can store heat energy for an extended period of time
Implementation Method 3
The molten salt can also be used to transport the stored heat energy to another location
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.