Closed-Loop Geothermal Well Heat Extraction Without Water Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal energy conversion systems are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to the need for large quantities of water, which leads to pollution, seismic instability, and high drilling costs, especially in deep wells where heat loss is significant and permeability issues arise.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop, solid-state geothermal heat extraction system that uses a heat conductive material to transfer geothermal heat from rock to a heat exchanging element within a well, eliminating the need for fluid flow and minimizing heat loss by maintaining a constant temperature through insulation and efficient heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If water-based geothermal systems are used to extract heat from deep wells, then heat extraction capability is improved, but environmental pollution and seismic instability worsen due to large quantities of water injection and polluted water discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fluid flow component from the geothermal system, replacing it with a solid-state heat conduction mechanism. The heat conductive material transfers thermal energy from the rock to the working fluid without requiring injection of large quantities of water into the well, thereby eliminating pollution and seismic instability issues while maintaining heat extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat conductive material as an intermediary between the hot rock and the working fluid. This intermediary enables efficient heat transfer through conduction without requiring direct fluid injection into the well, thus avoiding the harmful environmental effects associated with conventional water-based systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional water-based systems are used in deep wells, then heat extraction is possible, but heat loss increases significantly due to the depth of the well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fluid injection and circulation system with a solid-state heat conduction system. The heat conductive material conducts thermal energy directly from the rock to the working fluid through the well, eliminating heat loss associated with fluid injection, circulation, and the need for complex pumping systems in deep wells.
3Use of energy by moving object
If large quantities of water are injected into wells for geothermal heating, then heat transfer capability is improved, but the water becomes polluted with minerals and causes scaling and pipe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the water injection and circulation loop from the system, replacing it with a closed-loop working fluid system heated by conduction through the heat conductive material. This eliminates the source of pollution and mineral scaling, as the working fluid never contacts the rock formation or requires large-scale injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heat transfer mechanism from convective (fluid flow) to conductive (solid-state), fundamentally altering how heat is transferred from the rock to the working fluid. This parameter change eliminates the need for large quantities of water and prevents the associated pollution and scaling problems.
4Use of energy by moving object
If two separate wells are used for water injection and production in geothermal systems, then heat extraction is achieved, but device complexity and drilling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the injection and production functions into a single well by using solid-state heat conduction through the wellbore. The heat conductive material transfers heat from the rock to the working fluid circulating in the same well, eliminating the need for separate injection and production wells and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single well in the patent serves multiple functions: it provides both the heat extraction pathway and the working fluid circulation pathway. The heat conductive material enables the well to simultaneously conduct heat from the rock and transport the heated working fluid to the surface, replacing the need for multiple specialized wells.
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 system efficiently generates electricity with reduced environmental impact and lower costs by leveraging heat flow rather than water flow, maintaining a steady heat transfer and minimizing heat loss, even in deep wells.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conductive material inserted into the well to conduct geothermal heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element
Implementation Method 2
insulation inserted into the well and substantially surrounding at least the upward-flowing pipes at at least one position between the heat nest and the surface of the well to maintain a temperature of the contents of the piping system substantially constant
Implementation Method 3
an electricity generating component that includes a thermal engine, the electricity generating component receiving geothermal heat from contents of a piping component coupling the heat harnessing component to the electricity generating component
Data Source
AI summary
A closed-loop, solid-state system generates electricity from geothermal heat from a well by flow of heat, without needing large quantities of water to conduct heat from the ground. The present invention contemplates uses for depleted oil or gas wells and newly drilled wells to generate electricity in an environmentally-friendly method. Geothermal heat is conducted from the Earth to a heat exchanging element to heat the contents of pipes. The pipes are insulated between the bottom of the well and the surface to minimize heat dissipation as the heated contents of the pipes travel to the surface.