Flow through process for thermal depolymerization and monomer repurposing using geothermal energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geothermal systems are impractical for commercial development due to high financial and technological barriers, as they require significant expenditure and are limited to low-temperature resources near the surface, failing to efficiently harness high-temperature underground resources like magma.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal system that taps into underground magma reservoirs through a wellbore, providing a direct heat exchange interface for heating a heat transfer fluid, which is then used in a heat-driven process system to achieve high temperatures and pressures for thermal processes such as polymer depolymerization, reducing thermal losses and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If previous geothermal systems tap into low temperature resources near the surface, then the systems can be deployed with lower technological complexity, but the temperature and power density are significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance that circulates through the wellbore system, enabling indirect heat exchange with high-temperature magma reservoirs. This mediator allows the system to access extreme temperatures without direct contact, managing the technological complexity while achieving high temperature extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The geothermal system is divided into distinct functional segments: injection wells for introducing heat transfer fluid, production wells for extracting heated fluid, underground heat exchange zones, and surface processing systems. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while enabling high-temperature resource utilization
2Use of energy by moving object
If previous geothermal systems are implemented, then some geothermal energy can be harnessed, but significant expenditure of finances, labor, and equipment is required rendering them impractical for commercial development
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat exchange medium, a transport carrier for thermal energy, a pressure regulation mechanism, and a working fluid for power generation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed, lowering equipment costs and improving commercial viability
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural convection and pressure differentials created by the temperature gradient between the hot magma and the injected fluid to drive circulation. The heated fluid naturally rises and returns to the surface, while cooler fluid sinks and is drawn back down, reducing the need for expensive pumping equipment and operational costs
3Reliability
If conventional geothermal systems are used, then low temperature resources can be accessed, but the inability to efficiently and reliably access high-temperature underground geothermal resources renders them technologically impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a nested wellbore configuration where inner conduits carrying heat transfer fluid are positioned within the wellbore structure, which itself is nested within the geological formation. This nested arrangement protects the heat transfer fluid pathways while enabling deep penetration to high-temperature resources, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
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 enables efficient and reliable access to high-temperature geothermal energy, reducing energy production costs, decreasing reliance on non-renewable resources, and facilitating the repurposing of plastics by depolymerizing polymers into valuable end products like monomers, while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the wellbore provides a heat exchange interface between the magma and the heat transfer fluid to form a heated heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
provides a heat exchange interface between the magma and the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
the network of fluid conduits conveys the heated heat transfer fluid from the wellbore to the depolymerization system to provide heat
Implementation Method 4
provide heat for obtaining the reaction temperature
Implementation Method 5
conveys the heated heat transfer fluid... to provide heat
Implementation Method 6
a decomposition reaction occurring at a reaction temperature which decomposes a polymer into an end product
Implementation Method 7
thermal depolymerization and monomer repurposing
Data Source
AI summary
A geothermal system including a heat-driven process system using heat extracted from a magma wellbore for driving a thermal process. The system includes a magma wellbore connected to the heat-driven process system in a closed loop. A heated heat transfer fluid conveys the heat from the magma wellbore to a reactor housing a decomposition reaction. The reactor can be a batch reactor, a continuous reactor, or a through-flow reactor. The heat provides the reaction temperature necessary for driving the decomposition reaction of a polymer to an end product. The heat can be provided directly by the heated heat transfer fluid, by an intermediate heat transfer fluid heated by the heated heat transfer fluid, or by a reaction medium heated by the heated heat transfer fluid.