Method, system and apparatus for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal technologies face issues such as scaling, inability to store energy for later use, and difficulty in transporting heat energy to secondary locations, often resulting in toxic steam releases during plant shutdowns, especially when extracting heat from geothermal briny fluids.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system that transfers heat energy from geothermal briny fluids to molten salt via a heat exchanger, allowing for extended heat storage and transportation, with the molten salt being used to power remote electric generating units and incorporating materials like lithium for extraction, while maintaining a constant pressure within the system to prevent scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional geothermal technologies are used to extract heat from briny fluids, then heat energy can be extracted, but scaling occurs on heat exchanger surfaces reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid (carbon dioxide or organic solvent) that acts as a mediator between the geothermal briny fluid and the heat exchanger system. This intermediary fluid extracts heat from the briny fluid through a separator vessel, preventing direct contact between briny fluid components and heat exchanger surfaces, thereby eliminating scaling while maintaining efficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic briny fluid from the heat exchange process by using a separator vessel that allows an intermediary fluid to extract heat from the briny fluid without the briny fluid itself contacting the heat exchanger surfaces. This separation removes the scaling-causing components from the heat transfer path
2Productivity
If conventional geothermal systems operate without energy storage, then immediate heat utilization is possible, but energy cannot be stored for later use or transported to remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the working fluid by using an intermediary fluid that can be easily transported and stored. The system converts geothermal heat into a transportable thermal energy carrier (the intermediary fluid) that can be moved to remote locations or stored for later use, fundamentally changing the parameters of energy delivery from fixed-location steam to mobile thermal fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary fluid serves as a mediator that carries thermal energy from the geothermal source to remote locations or storage facilities. This mediator enables both energy transport to remote electric generating units and energy storage by simply halting circulation, providing versatility without compromising immediate utilization capability
3Stress or pressure
If conventional systems release steam during shutdown, then pressure relief is achieved, but toxic steam releases occur causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inert or non-toxic intermediary fluid (such as carbon dioxide or organic solvent) that replaces toxic steam in the pressure relief function. During shutdown, this inert fluid can be safely vented without causing environmental harm, while still providing the necessary pressure relief to maintain system safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful toxic steam release into a beneficial safe venting process by using an intermediary fluid that is environmentally benign. The system transforms what would be a harmful emission (toxic steam) into a beneficial feature (safe pressure relief with non-toxic fluid), eliminating environmental harm while maintaining pressure management capability
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 effectively addresses scaling issues, enables efficient energy storage and transport, and reduces the risk of toxic steam releases by using a closed-loop system that reinjects briny fluids, allowing for continuous operation and energy utilization.
Implementation Method 1
transfers heat energy from geothermal briny fluids to molten salt via a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
configured to transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt system
Implementation Method 3
The molten salt can store heat energy for an extended period of time
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.