System and methods for enhanced thermal syphoning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geothermal power systems face challenges in creating a sufficient flow of hot water through rock structures due to the low heat transfer coefficient of rock formations, making it difficult to efficiently draw heat from subsurface reservoirs, especially in deep wells where pressure drops are significant.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced thermal syphoning system utilizing a combination of open and closed configuration wells, where fluid flow is controlled through permeable geological layers to maximize heat transfer, with adjustable valves to manage flow rates and temperatures, allowing for efficient heat extraction with minimal energy input once the thermal syphoning effect is initiated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fluid is forced through small cracks in fractured zones to maximize heat transfer surface area, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single wellbore into multiple separate flow channels using parallel tubing strings, allowing independent optimization of each channel's flow path and heat transfer characteristics without compromising overall system pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical flow through fractured zones to horizontal or angled flow paths within the wellbore, reducing the impact of gravitational head and frictional losses while maintaining contact with hot rock formations for heat transfer
2Loss of energy
If narrow tubing strings are used to force fluid through rock formations, then heat transfer surface area is maximized, but pressure drops become unacceptable in deep wells
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple tubing strings in parallel within a single wellbore, effectively merging their flow capacities to achieve high total flow rates while each individual string maintains sufficient surface area for heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both production conduit for geothermal fluid and injection conduit for reinjection fluid, while also acting as a heat exchanger and structural support element
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate tubing strings in parallel are used to separate flow channels, then flow separation is achieved, but the arrangement becomes impractical for deep wells due to pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tubing strings are nested within a single wellbore structure, with each tubing string containing both injection and production channels, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that simplifies surface equipment while maintaining subsurface flow separation
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 increases heat transfer efficiency by forcing fluid through permeable geological layers, achieving higher temperatures and flow rates with reduced energy input, optimizing thermal energy extraction from geothermal sources.
Implementation Method 1
the water must be forced through a series of small cracks in a fractured zone to maximize the surface area from which the requisite heat can be drawn
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer coefficient of rock formations is generally low, the water must be forced through a series of small cracks in a fractured zone to maximize the surface area from which the requisite heat can be drawn
Implementation Method 3
An enhanced thermal syphoning system utilizing a combination of open and closed configuration wells, where fluid flow is controlled through permeable geological layers to maximize heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an enhanced thermal syphoning system, comprising a first well and a second well extending though a permeable geological layer, each well having: an inlet channel to introduce a fluid into the well and an inlet valve to control an inlet fluid flow rate into the inlet channel; an outlet channel to draw geologically heated fluid from the well and an outlet valve to control an outlet fluid flow rate from the outlet channel; and an opening in the inlet channel adjacent the permeable geological layer wherein fluid in the inlet channel of the first well and the inlet channel of the second well is communicated therebetween via the permeable geological layer, the fluid entering and exiting the inlet channels through the openings therein, such that each inlet and each outlet valve can be adjusted to vary a flow volume of the fluid between the first well and the second well to thereby control a temperature of the heated fluid drawn from each well. The plurality of wells within the system generates fluid movement along and around outer casings of the plurality of wells to improve a heating effect of the wells and to control fluid flow through the wells. The plurality of wells may be configured in a series of adjacent wells or in a series of patterned or nested wells.