ENERGY FROM SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR FLUID
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- monitoring demand on an electrical supply system;
if the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value;
enabling fluid to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first elevation through a turbine-generator;
in the turbine-generator, converting kinetic energy associated with the flowing fluid into electrical energy;
collecting a portion of the fluid in an area downstream of the turbine generator; and
pumping the collected fluid from the area downstream of the turbine-generator into a subterranean reservoir with an injection pump; and
if the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value, moving fluid from the subterranean reservoir to the first elevation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system includes a collection of water at a first elevation, an aquifer at a second elevation lower than the first elevation and one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid communication between the collection of water and the aquifer. A turbine-generator is in one of the fluid communication channels to convert kinetic energy of fluid that has flown out of the collection of water into electrical energy. A fluid collection area is downstream of the turbine-generator that at least temporarily collects fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator. An injection pump is provided to pump fluid that has accumulated in the collection area into the aquifer.
47 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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monitoring demand on an electrical supply system; if the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value; enabling fluid to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first elevation through a turbine-generator; in the turbine-generator, converting kinetic energy associated with the flowing fluid into electrical energy; collecting a portion of the fluid in an area downstream of the turbine generator; and pumping the collected fluid from the area downstream of the turbine-generator into a subterranean reservoir with an injection pump; and if the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value, moving fluid from the subterranean reservoir to the first elevation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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a collection of water at a first elevation; a subterranean reservoir at a second elevation lower than the first elevation; one or more fluid communication channels to facilitate fluid communication between the collection of water and the subterranean reservoir; a turbine-generator to create electrical energy from kinetic energy of fluid flowing from the collection of water to the subterranean reservoir inside one of the fluid communication channels; a fluid collection area downstream of the turbine-generator to at least temporarily collect fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator; and an injection pump to move accumulated fluid in the collection area to the subterranean reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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moving fluid from a subterranean reservoir to an elevation above the subterranean reservoir; using the fluid at the higher elevation for a domestic or industrial application; after using the fluid for the domestic or industrial application, enabling the fluid to flow from the higher elevation through a turbine-generator substantially under the influence of gravity; converting kinetic energy of the flowing fluid into electrical energy with the turbine-generator; collecting fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator at a collection area downstream of the turbine-generator; and pumping fluid from the collection area into the subterranean reservoir with an injection pump. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method comprising:
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monitoring demand on an electrical supply system; if the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value; enabling fluid to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first elevation that is higher than a subterranean reservoir through a turbine-generator; converting kinetic energy associated with the flowing fluid into electrical energy at the turbine-generator; collecting fluid in a collection area at an elevation lower than the turbine-generator; and pumping collected fluid from the collection area into the subterranean reservoir; and if the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value; moving fluid from the subterranean reservoir to the first, higher elevation; and when the fluid is at or near the higher elevation, using the fluid for a domestic or industrial application.
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Specification