GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 3,824,793 A
• Filed: 10/24/1972
• Issued: 07/23/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sperry Corporation (Unisys Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hugh B. Matthews
• Inventors: Matthews, Hugh B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Geoghegan, Edgar W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ostrager, Allen M.
• Application Number:
  US05/300,058
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 165/45 60/641,26
• US Class Current: 60/641.4
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/04 using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature F03G7/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 Geothermal energy

Abstract

A geothermal energy transfer and utilization system makes use of thermal energy stored in hot solute-bearing well water to generate super-heated steam from an injected flow of clean water; the super-heated steam is then used for operating a turbinedriven pump at the well bottom for pumping the hot solute-bearing water at high pressure and in liquid state to the earth'"'"''"'"'s surface, where it is used by transfer of its heat to a closedloop boiler-turbine-alternator combination for the generation of electrical or other power. Cooled, clean water is regenerated by the surface-located system for re-injection into the deep well and residual concentrated solute-bearing water is pumped back into the earth.

Claims

1. The method of transfering thermal energy from an interior hot stratum of the earth for utilization adjacent the surface of said earth including the steps of:

pumping a first liquid initially in a relatively cool state from a first station adjacent said surface of said earth to a second station at said interior hot stratum, employing a portion of said thermal energy for converting said first liquid into a vapor at said second station, employing said vapor for driving pump means at said second station, employing said pump means for pumping a second liquid from said hot stratum to said first station at a pressure for retaining said second liquid solely in liquid state, and abstracting a portion of said thermal energy from said second liquid at said first station for performing useful work.

2. The method described in claim 1 wherein the step of employing said vapor for driving pump means includes the substeps of:

employing said vapor for actuating motive means for driving said pump means at said second station, conducting said vapor after actuation of said motive means to said first station, and abstracting thermal energy from said conducted vapor at said first station for performing useful work and for forming said first liquid.

3. The method described in claim 2 wherein said second liquid, after abstraction of thermal energy therefrom at said first station, is returned to a sub-surface strata of said earth.

4. The method described in claim 3 wherein a portion of said second liquid, after abstraction of thermal energy therefrom at said first station, is purified and is admixed with said first liquid for supply to said second station.

5. Apparatus for transferring thermal energy from an interior hot stratum of the earth for utilization adjacent the surface of said earth comprising:

pump means for pumping a first liquid initially in a relatively cool state from a first station adjacent said surface of said earth to a second station at said interior hot stratum, heat exchanger means at said second station for converting said first liquid into a vapor for driving motive means at said second station, pump means at said second station responsive to said motive means for pumping a second liquid from said hot stratum to said first station at a pressure retaining said second liquid solely in liquid state, and thermal energy transfer means at said first station for abstracting a portion of said thermal energy from said second liquid for performing useful work.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 additionally including:

conduit means for conducting said vapor after driving said motive means to said first station, and second thermal energy transfer means at said first station for abstracting a portion of said thermal energy from said vapor for performing useful work.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 additionally including pump means at said first station for pumping said second liquid, after abstraction of thermal energy therefrom at said first station, into sub-surface strata of said earth.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 additionally including:

evaporator means for purifying a portion of said second liquid, after abstraction of thermal energy therefrom, at said first station, and means for admixing said purified portion with said first liquid for supply to said second station.

9. In deep well geothermal energy transfer means for transfer of geothermal energy from a geothermal fluid, the combination comprising:

first means for transfer at an interior stratum of the earth of a portion of said geothermal energy from said geothermal fluid to a second fluid for conversion of said second fluid into a corresponding working fluid, and second means responsive to said working fluid for translating said geothermal fluid from said interior stratum of said earth always in liquid state in thermal energy exchanging relation with respect to said first means.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said working fluid is superheated vapor and said second means includes turbine means driven by said superheated vapor, pump means operatively coupled to said turbine means for pumping said geothermal fluid in a liquid state to utilization apparatus at a station adjacent the surface of said earth.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 10 further including third means for supply of said second fluid to said first means always in liquid state.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 11 further including:

bearing means for support of rotor means within said pump means fourth means for supply of said second fluid always in liquid state to lubricate said bearing means.

13. A geothermal deep well apparatus at an interior stratum of the earth comprising:

geothermal energy exchange apparatus for providing a working fluid at said interior stratum, motor means responsive to said working fluid, and pump means operatively coupled to said motor means for translating said geothermal fluid to a station adjacent said surface of said earth always in liquid state cooperatively with respect to said geothermal energy exchange apparatus.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said geothermal exchange apparatus comprises plural heat exchange conduit means.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said motive means comprises turbine means and said working flUid comprises a super-heated vapor.

16. Apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein said pump means comprises rotary pump means directly responsive to said turbine means.

17. Apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said turbine and said pump means are rotatably supported by liquid-lubricated thrust bearing means.

18. Apparatus as described in claim 17 further including means for lubricating said thrust bearing means with a relatively clean liquid.