GEOTHERMAL WELL USING GRAPHITE AS SOLID CONDUCTOR
First Claim
1. A closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising:
- a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth;
b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes;
c. one or more heat conducting channels; and
d. a heat conducting filler,wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground,wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite,wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system;
andwherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A closed loop geothermal system and apparatus is provided comprising a piping system inside a main well to create a closed circulation of thermal fluid to a target temperature zone underground. The piping system may have an inner pipe is inserted inside an outer pipe/casing in a concentric arrangement to allow thermal fluid to flow downward between inner pipe and outer pipe/casing and upward inside inner pipe by entering inner pipe near the bottom of the well. A heat conducting filler comprising graphite may be packed in a space between the well and piping system in the target temperature zone. The system and apparatus may further include an extended portion of the main well and/or heat conducting channels each comprising graphite converging on a heat exchange zone of the well, which may further include a heat exchanger. Methods for constructing and operating the apparatus are also provided
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising:
-
a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth; b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes; c. one or more heat conducting channels; and d. a heat conducting filler, wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system; and wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising:
-
a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth; b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes; c. an extended portion of the main well below the bottom of the piping system; and d. a heat conducting filler, wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the piping system is configured such that a thermal fluid traveling downward toward the bottom of the piping system and heated before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth, wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone, and wherein the extended portion of the main well is filled and packed with graphite. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method comprising:
-
(a) providing a closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising a main well having a hole in the earth, a piping system having one or more pipes, one or more heat conducting channels; and
a heat conducting filler;wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system; and
wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone; and
(b) causing a thermal fluid to flow downward toward the bottom portion of the piping system and heated, before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth.
-
Specification