Geothermal Well Piping Pressure Control to Prevent Bubble Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing geothermal heat utilization systems face efficiency reduction due to oxidation and vaporization of pumped underground water when returned to wells, leading to bubble generation and reduced injection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal heat utilization system with pressurized pipes and valves, including check valves and water injection valves, controls the pressure and prevents exposure to air, minimizing bubble formation by maintaining water pressure within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pumped-up underground water is temporarily stored and returned to a well, then heat exchange can be performed, but bubbles are generated due to oxidation and gas volatilization, reducing injection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A closed-loop pipe system serves as an intermediary medium between the pump and the well, allowing water to be transported and heat exchanged without direct exposure to atmospheric air. The pipe acts as a barrier that prevents oxidation and gas volatilization while enabling the water to complete its cycle back to the well for re-injection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If water is pumped up and exposed to atmosphere, then heat exchange operations can be performed, but gas components volatilize and bubbles form, closing the well and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a closed, air-excluded environment using pressurized piping to transport water. By maintaining positive pressure within the pipe and preventing atmospheric contact, the system effectively creates an inert environment that prevents oxidation and gas volatilization, thereby maintaining well reliability and operational continuity.
3Stress or pressure
If check valves are used to maintain pressure, then water can be pressurized and returned to well, but system complexity increases with additional valves
Solution Approach 1:
Check valves are employed to enable the system to automatically maintain pressure and control water flow direction without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms. The check valves self-regulate by opening when pressure is sufficient and closing when pressure drops, allowing the system to service itself in maintaining the necessary pressure conditions for efficient water return.
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 limits the generation of bubbles when returning pumped-up water to the well, thereby maintaining injection efficiency and preventing water quality degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger which is configured to exchange heat with the pipe
Implementation Method 2
a pair of pumps which are provided in the respective wells and pump up the stored water through the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A geothermal heat utilization system (10) includes a pumping well (20), a water injection well (30), a pipe (13) having two ends which are immersed in water stored in the pumping well (20) and the water injection well (30) so as to connect the pumping well (20) and the water injection well (30) to each other, a pump (21) and a pump (31) which are respectively provided inside the pumping well (20) and the water injection well (30) and pump up stored water through the pipe (13), a valve (25) and a valve (35) which are respectively provided on a pressurization side of the pump (21) inside the pumping well (20) and a pressurization side of the pump (31) inside the water injection well (30), and a heat exchanger (14) which is configured to exchange heat with the pipe (13).