Systems and methods for geothermal energy generation with two-phase working fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal energy systems face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to high costs and process inefficiencies, particularly when dealing with aqueous components like brine in geothermal energy conversion to electricity.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal energy recovery system utilizing a non-water based working fluid, such as carbon dioxide with a small aqueous component, where a separation apparatus separates a portion of the aqueous component from the working fluid to produce a dewatered fluid for energy conversion, enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a non-water based working fluid is used in geothermal energy conversion, then efficiency and environmental impact are improved, but the complexity of managing aqueous components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the aqueous component from the non-water based working fluid using a separation apparatus. This allows the working fluid to be processed in two stages: first separating the aqueous portion, then converting the dewatered fluid to electricity, thereby managing complexity while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The energy conversion process is segmented into distinct stages: (1) separation of aqueous component from working fluid, (2) energy conversion of dewatered fluid, and (3) separate handling of aqueous component. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If aqueous component is completely removed from working fluid, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but additional processing steps and costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely removing all aqueous components, the system performs partial separation to achieve sufficient dewatering for efficient energy conversion. The separation apparatus removes enough aqueous component to meet performance thresholds without requiring complete removal, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining productivity
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 efficiently converts geothermal energy to electricity with increased efficiency and reduced operational costs by managing the aqueous component levels, thereby improving power generation and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion device in fluid communication with the separation apparatus so that the dewatered working fluid passes through the expansion device to produce work energy
Implementation Method 2
a generator that converts the work energy produced by the expansion device to electricity
Implementation Method 3
the separation apparatus is configured to separate a portion of the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a production well having an inlet in fluid communication with an underground reservoir, wherein the reservoir is at a first temperature and contains a native aqueous solution, a working fluid withdrawn from the reservoir into the inlet and through the production well. The working fluid comprises a non-water component and an aqueous component comprising a portion of the aqueous solution. The system further comprises a separation apparatus in communication with the production well configured to separate the aqueous component from the working fluid to provide a dewatered working fluid, wherein the aqueous component is from more than 0 wt. % to no more than a specified threshold of the dewatered working fluid. The system also includes an energy recovery system that comprises an expansion device through which the dewatered working fluid passes and produces work energy and a generator that converts the work energy to electricity.