Modular Thermal Cycle Generator for Subsea Local Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing electrical power to downhole and subsea components in hydrocarbon wellbores is challenging due to the difficulty in delivering electricity to these remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A thermal cycle generator system that utilizes a working fluid to convert heat from production fluids into electrical power using a thermodynamic cycle, involving a source heat exchanger, turbine, and sink heat exchanger, with the working fluid expanding and contracting to generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical power is delivered to downhole and subsea components through traditional methods (platform or surface vessel connection), then power supply reliability is improved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power generation system is divided into modular components including heat exchangers, turbines, and control systems that can be independently installed and maintained. This segmentation allows the system to provide reliable local power without requiring complex surface connections, as each module can function autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates its own electrical power locally at the subsea location using thermodynamic cycles with working fluids. By self-generating power rather than relying on surface supply, the system eliminates complex transmission infrastructure while ensuring continuous power availability for downhole and subsea components
2Ease of operation
If modular localized power generation is implemented without platform connection, then ease of installation and system simplicity are improved, but power generation capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The thermodynamic power generation system is designed to utilize various heat sources including production fluids, geothermal gradients, or waste heat from subsea equipment. This multi-functionality allows the same modular system to be deployed in different subsea environments and scaled to meet varying power requirements without requiring complex platform infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The modular power generation units can be nested or stacked to increase total power capacity while maintaining ease of installation. Multiple heat exchanger-turbine-generator assemblies can be integrated in a compact configuration, allowing the system to scale from small autonomous nodes to larger subsea platforms without requiring surface connections
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
Enables modular and localized power generation in subsea environments without requiring connection to a platform or surface vessel, providing redundancy and power to downhole and surface components.
Implementation Method 1
receiving heat from a production fluid with a source heat exchanger; transferring the heat to a working fluid with the source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing the working fluid to a gas phase
Implementation Method 3
expanding the working fluid in a turbine; generating electricity with the turbine; flowing the gas phase through a turbine; generating electricity based on a rotation of the turbine
Implementation Method 4
exhausting heat from the working fluid to an ambient liquid with a sink heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
condensing the gas phase to a liquid phase after the sink heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
compressing the working fluid after the sink heat exchanger and before the source heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive heat from a production fluid with a source heat exchanger. A device may transfer the heat to a working fluid with the source heat exchanger. A device may expand the working fluid in a turbine. A device may generate electricity with the turbine. A device may exhaust heat from the working fluid to an ambient liquid with a sink heat exchanger. A device may compress the working fluid after the sink heat exchanger and before the source heat exchanger.