Enhanced geothermal reservoir recovery systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geological formations with large fluid reserves but insufficient steam production are not economically viable for conventional geothermal energy generation, as they lack sufficient permeability or have impermeable zones, necessitating enhanced methods to transport and heat fluids for power generation.
Innovation Solution
The system involves establishing a fluid connection between a subterranean water reservoir and a deeper radiator zone, using radiator injection and recovery wells to heat and extract fluid, potentially enhancing permeability through fracking or gas injection to maintain pressure and flow rates, and employing pumping systems if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional geothermal technology is used with subterranean water reservoirs, then fluid reserves can be accessed, but insufficient steam production occurs due to low permeability or impermeable zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary heated fluid system that transfers thermal energy from the subterranean water reservoir through a heat exchanger to a working fluid, enabling steam generation without directly relying on the reservoir's permeability for steam production
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical steam extraction system with a thermal energy transfer system using heat exchangers, where heated fluid from the reservoir transfers energy to a working fluid to generate steam, bypassing the need for direct steam production from the reservoir
2Ease of operation
If high-pressure fluids are injected to enhance permeability, then fluid flow can be improved, but shear events and formation damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-pressure mechanical injection with a lower-pressure thermal energy transfer system using heat exchangers, maintaining fluid flow capability while avoiding the harmful shear events and formation damage associated with high-pressure injection
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary that enables thermal energy transfer without requiring high-pressure fluid injection, thus improving ease of operation while avoiding formation damage
3Temperature
If deeper radiator zones are accessed for heating, then fluid temperature increases, but well construction complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by accessing only the depth necessary to achieve required temperatures through the heated fluid system, rather than requiring extreme depths, thus obtaining sufficient thermal energy while limiting well construction complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system serves as an intermediary that enables efficient thermal energy transfer at moderate depths, reducing the need for extremely deep well construction while still achieving the necessary fluid temperatures for power generation
4Temperature
If fluid is transported from subterranean reservoirs to radiator zones, then heating efficiency improves, but pressure loss occurs during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary that enables thermal energy transfer with minimal fluid transport, allowing heating efficiency to improve while pressure loss is minimized since the working fluid circulates in a closed loop rather than being transported from deep reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical transport of large volumes of fluid from deep reservoirs with a thermal energy transfer system using heat exchangers, improving heating efficiency while eliminating the pressure losses associated with long-distance fluid transport
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 the efficient collection and heating of fluids at greater depths, overcoming permeability issues and pressure limitations, thus facilitating economically viable geothermal energy production by generating electricity from heated fluids.
Implementation Method 1
heat from the radiator zone is transferred into fluid from the subterranean water reservoir as the fluid flows through the horizontally extending section
Implementation Method 2
A pump is operatively connected to the recovery well to recover fluid from the subterranean water reservoir at the surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of enhanced geothermal energy production that transports fluid from existing underground fluid reservoirs to a deeper, higher temperature radiator zone for fluid heating before recovery at the surface. One system includes at least one radiator injection well extending from a subterranean water reservoir of a formation to a radiator zone of the formation that is located at a greater depth than the subterranean water reservoir. The radiator injection well is configured to fluidically couple the subterranean water reservoir with the radiator zone to transfer fluid contained in the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone for heating. At least one recovery well extends from the surface to the radiator zone and is configured to recover fluid from the radiator zone that was transferred from the subterranean water reservoir to the radiator zone. The recovered fluid is then used at the surface to generate electricity.