Method for thermal profile control and energy recovery in geothermal wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current geothermal energy production technologies face challenges in managing thermal losses and optimizing energy recovery within geothermal wells, particularly due to high temperatures damaging equipment and inefficiencies in heat transfer and well configuration, which are not adequately addressed by existing methods.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the geothermal gradient to optimize wellbore configuration and working fluid management, including fluid rerouting, composition, and flow direction, to maximize energy recovery, using interdigital well arrangements and sealing compositions to enhance thermal conductivity and reduce 'dead spots' in the rock volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If high temperature geothermal formations are exploited, then energy recovery potential increases, but equipment damage from high temperatures occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy recovery potentialVSAvoidequipment damage from high temperatures

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A working fluid is introduced as an intermediary medium between the geothermal formation and the equipment. The fluid circulates through the formation, absorbs thermal energy, and transports it to the surface where heat exchange occurs, preventing direct exposure of equipment to extreme formation temperatures while still enabling energy recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional well configurations are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but thermal losses and dead spots in heat extraction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidthermal losses and dead spots

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The well system is divided into multiple segments or zones along the wellbore length, with different working fluid flow rates, temperatures, or compositions optimized for each segment. This segmentation allows targeted heat extraction from different formation zones, eliminating dead spots and reducing thermal losses by matching fluid properties to local formation characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of working fluid parameters (flow rate, temperature, composition) that can be adjusted during operation based on real-time performance data. This dynamic adaptation optimizes heat extraction efficiency throughout the well lifecycle, preventing thermal losses and eliminating dead spots that would occur with static traditional configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple branched horizontal wells are deployed, then heat mining rate increases, but footprint and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat mining rateVSAvoidsystem complexity and footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple well systems are merged into an interconnected network where working fluid can flow between adjacent wells. This merging allows thermal energy to be extracted more efficiently by utilizing temperature differences between wells, achieving higher heat mining rates while reducing the overall footprint and complexity compared to operating multiple independent branched horizontal well systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for efficient heat extraction from geothermal formations, reducing well construction costs and thermal interference, and enabling universal applicability across varying geothermal conditions, thereby enhancing geothermal energy recovery and production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Heat transfer from the rock is inversely proportional to the working fluid temperature within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

using interdigital well arrangements and sealing compositions to enhance thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conductivity enhancement: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11156386B2Method for thermal profile control and energy recovery in geothermal wells

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 EAVOR TECH INC

AI summary

A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.