Superhot Geothermal Well Screen Extraction for Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the inability to reliably access high-temperature geothermal resources, leading to low power output and significant expenditure, especially with low permeability issues and corrosion problems from high TDS and gas content in geothermal fluids.
Innovation Solution
A magma-based geothermal power generation system that utilizes a cased wellbore extending from the surface to an underground reservoir of magma, where a steam separator separates gas-phase fluid from condensate, and turbines generate electricity from the gas-phase fluid, eliminating the need for injection wells and reducing parasitic loads, with a slidable casing and draw pipe mechanism to efficiently extract superheated steam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional geothermal systems are used to access high-temperature resources, then power generation is attempted, but the systems face low permeability issues and corrosion problems from high TDS and gas content, leading to high costs and low power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful components (gas phase, high TDS fluids) from the geothermal fluid before it reaches the power generation equipment. A steam separator is used to separate the gas phase from the liquid phase, and injection wells are used to dispose of the harmful high TDS fluids, preventing them from causing corrosion and scaling in the power generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components between the geothermal reservoir and the power generation system. These include the steam separator as an intermediary to separate gas and liquid phases, and injection wells as intermediaries to manage the disposal of harmful fluids, thereby protecting the main power generation equipment from direct exposure to corrosive conditions.
2Reliability
If geothermal systems operate continuously to provide reliable power, then high power density is achieved, but weather conditions and time of day affect solar and wind alternatives, making geothermal a more reliable substitute despite technological challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geothermal system into distinct functional components: production wells for fluid extraction, a steam separator for phase separation, power generation equipment for electricity production, and injection wells for fluid disposal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and operation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous operation.
3Power
If high-temperature geothermal resources are accessed, then higher power density is achieved, but corrosion problems from high TDS and gas content increase operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high TDS geothermal fluids into a beneficial resource by using them for irrigation and livestock watering through the injection wells. The separation process concentrates the harmful components in the liquid phase that is directed to injection wells, while the gas phase is separated and disposed of, thereby protecting the power generation equipment from corrosion and scaling.
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 achieves higher efficiency and reduced operational costs by directly harnessing high-temperature, high-pressure steam from magma, increasing the ratio of usable energy and reducing entropy, while avoiding thermal-shock induced earthquakes and corrosion issues.
Implementation Method 1
a steam separator separates gas-phase fluid from condensate formed from the gas-phase fluid
Implementation Method 2
Heat supplied from the magma causes the liquid-phase fluid to change into a gas-phase fluid
Implementation Method 3
Heat supplied from the magma causes the liquid-phase fluid to change into a gas-phase fluid
Implementation Method 4
a first set of turbines connected to the steam separator and configured to generate electricity from the gas-phase fluid
Data Source
AI summary
System, method, and apparatus for harnessing geothermal power from superhot geothermal fluid (SHGF) and magma reservoirs. An exemplary apparatus can include a well screen coupled to an end of a casing string. The well screen, which is at least partially submerged within an underground reservoir, defines a volume in the underground reservoir that can be filled with superhot geothermal fluid. A slidable casing is aligned coaxially with the well screen and configured to be repositioned relative to the well screen. A draw pipe extending through the slidable casing is configured to convey SHGF from the underground reservoir towards the surface in response to the slidable casing being repositioned to obstruct more of a set of apertures in the well screen and an increase in pressure within a cavity of the slidable casing.