Geothermal plant for extracting energy from a geothermal reservoir located below the ocean bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a commercially viable method to determine the optimal location for extracting geothermal energy from oceanic sources and convert it into usable forms like electrical energy, due to challenges such as violent volcanic activity and the inefficiency of existing heat conduction devices.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal plant with a floating platform and riser system that includes an electrical pump to extract geothermal liquid from the ocean floor, combined with a method for screening the ocean bottom to identify high geothermal potential areas using seismicity, crust age, and other factors, and transforming the heat into electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing heat conduction devices are used to extract geothermal energy from ocean bottom, then the extraction process can be implemented, but the extraction efficiency is insignificant and the system remains in incipient phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heat conduction devices with an electrical pump system. The electrical pump uses electromagnetic fields to move geothermal liquid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts that would fail in the harsh offshore environment. This substitution enables reliable high-efficiency extraction while maintaining system simplicity and commercial viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical pump as an intermediary device between the geothermal reservoir and the floating platform. This intermediary enables efficient energy transfer by pumping geothermal liquid through the riser system, bridging the gap between the deep ocean reservoir and the surface extraction facilities, thereby achieving significant productivity improvement.
2Temperature
If volcanic areas are selected for geothermal extraction, then high geothermal heat is available, but violent eruption and earthquakes occur which are not desired for industrial installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific locations on the ocean bottom that have high geothermal heat availability but are not subject to violent volcanic activity. Rather than avoiding all volcanic areas entirely, the system identifies and exploits localized zones with favorable conditions - high temperature gradients without active eruption risks - thereby achieving both high temperature extraction and operational safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the challenge of locating suitable geothermal sites into a benefit by developing a comprehensive screening method that identifies optimal locations. The screening process uses multiple factors including seismicity, crust age, and heat flow data to transform the complexity of site selection into a systematic approach that avoids harmful volcanic areas while capturing high-heat zones.
3Productivity
If onshore geothermal areas are developed, then geothermal energy can be extracted, but the areas are limited and densely populated which limits further development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional onshore development to three-dimensional offshore development. By moving the geothermal extraction system to the ocean bottom and using a floating platform for surface operations, the system accesses a completely new spatial dimension. This enables unlimited location availability since offshore areas are not constrained by population density or land use restrictions, while maintaining high productivity through efficient electrical pump extraction.
4Productivity
If electrical pump is placed deep in the riser to pump geothermal liquid, then extraction efficiency is improved, but the geothermal liquid may be in two-phase which complicates pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature and pressure sensors to monitor the state of geothermal liquid at different depths in the riser. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the electrical pump placement and operation, ensuring the pump always handles single-phase liquid regardless of depth. The feedback mechanism resolves the complexity by providing real-time data that guides optimal pump positioning and operational parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the electrical pump at the optimal depth where geothermal liquid transitions from two-phase to single-phase. Rather than adjusting pump position during operation, the system is designed with the pump placed in advance at the correct location based on reservoir characteristics and riser geometry, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
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 the efficient extraction and conversion of geothermal energy from the ocean floor into electrical power, overcoming previous limitations and providing a scalable solution for meeting global energy demands while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical pump having a mechanical actuation part located in a bore of the riser, and an electronic part located outside the riser
Implementation Method 2
a power plant located on the floating platform and configured to use a steam produced by the geothermal liquid to generate electrical power
Implementation Method 3
a power plant located on the floating platform and configured to use a steam produced by the geothermal liquid to generate electrical power
Data Source
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AI summary
A geothermal plant (1600, 1700, 1800, 2000), for extracting energy from a geothermal reservoir (1230) located below the ocean bottom, includes a floating platform (1202); a riser (1240) that extends from a well (1208) drilled into the geothermal reservoir (1230), to the floating platform (1202); an electrical pump (1260) having a mechanical actuation part (1264) located in a bore of the riser (1240), and an electronic part (1266) located outside the riser, wherein the electrical pump (1260) is configured to pump a geothermal liquid (1226) from the geothermal reservoir (1230) to the floating platform (1202); and a power plant (1210) located on the floating platform (1202) and configured to use a steam (1222) produced by the geothermal liquid (1226) to generate electrical power. The electrical pump (1260) is placed at a depth of the riser (1240) where the geothermal liquid (1226) is in a single-phase.