System and method for downhole geothermal electrical power generation

• US 8,610,303 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2012
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John R. Yocum Jr
• Original Assignee: John R. Yocum Jr
• Inventors: Yocum, John R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIRARDI, VANESSA MARY
• Application Number:
  US13/343,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20130168965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/54, 165/45, 606/411, 606/412
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/02 Adaptations for drilling wells

Abstract

There is provided herein a system and method for generating downhole electricity from wells or similar apertures that penetrate sufficiently deep into the subsurface to allow liquid water to be converted to steam. In the preferred embodiment, a well that reaches to a point in the subsurface where the ambient temperature at depth is significantly above the boiling point of water (i.e., greater than 212° F.) will be used, said steam providing the force necessary to turn the blades of a turbine which, in turn, provides rotational force a downhole generator, thereby resulting in the generation of electricity.

Claims

1. A downhole electric generating system for producing electricity from within a well bore having a lower terminus at a temperature at least sufficient to produce steam from liquid water, comprising:

a. a generator sized to be smaller than a diameter of the well bore, said generator having a rotatable component for generating an electrical current when so rotated;

b. a turbine sized to be smaller than the diameter of the well bore, said turbine containing a plurality of rotatable blades, said rotatable blades delivering a rotational force in the presence of steam originating from below said turbine in the well bore, said rotatable blades being in fluid communication with the well bore; and

,

c. a water delivery system, said water delivery system at least for delivering liquid water to a depth in the well bore below said turbine, said liquid water at least for being converted to steam to power said turbine; and

d. a drive shaft in mechanical communication with said generator and with said turbine, said drive shaft delivers rotational force from said turbine to said generator and serves as a conduit for said water delivery system.

2. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 1, wherein said downhole generator is a downhole electric motor.

3. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 1, wherein said downhole generator and said turbine are integrated into a single unit.

4. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable blades have a ceramic coating.

5. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 1, further comprising:

e. at least one electrical line between said generator and the surface, said at least one electrical line being at least for transmitting an electrical current from said generator to the surface.

6. A downhole electric generating system for producing electricity from within a well bore having a lower terminus at a temperature in excess of a boiling point of water, comprising:

a. an electrical generator sized to be smaller than a diameter of the well bore, said generator having a rotatable component for generating an electrical current when so rotated; and

,

b. a turbine sized to be smaller than the diameter of the well bore, said turbine containing a plurality turbine blades in fluid communication with the well bore that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said turbine, said rotatable blades are urged into rotation by steam under pressure that originates external to said downhole electric generating system and that is produced from within the well bore via a water delivery system; and

,

c. a drive shaft in mechanical communication with said generator and with said turbine, said drive shaft delivers rotational force from said turbine to said generator and serves as a conduit for said water delivery system.

7. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 6, wherein said downhole generator is an electric motor.

8. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 6, wherein said downhole generator and said turbine are integrated into a single downhole unit.

9. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 6, wherein said rotatable blades have a ceramic coating.

10. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 6, further comprising:

d. a water delivery system, said water delivery system at least for delivering liquid water to a depth in the well bore below said turbine, said liquid water at least for being converted to steam to power said turbine.

11. A downhole electric generating system for producing electricity from within a well bore having a lower terminus at a temperature at least sufficient to produce steam from liquid water, comprising:

a. a generator sized to be smaller than a diameter of the well bore, said generator having a rotatable component for generating an electrical current when so rotated;

b. a turbine sized to be smaller than the diameter of the well bore, said turbine containing a plurality of rotatable blades, said rotatable blades delivering a rotational force in the presence of steam originating from below said turbine in the well bore, wherein said rotatable blades are in fluid communication with the well bore; and

,

c. a water delivery system, said water delivery system at least for delivering liquid water from a location proximate to the surface to a depth in the well bore below said turbine, said liquid water at least for being converted in said borehole to steam to power said turbine; and

,

d. a drive shaft in mechanical communication with said generator and with said turbine, said drive shaft delivers rotational force from said turbine to said generator and serves as a conduit for said water delivery system.

12. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 11, wherein said downhole generator is an electric motor.

13. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 11, wherein said downhole generator and said turbine are integrated into a single downhole unit.

14. The downhole electrical generating system according to claim 11, wherein said rotatable blades have a ceramic coating.

15. A method of generating electricity, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning an electrical generator within a bore hole;

b. positioning a turbine within the borehole in fluid communication with said bore hole; and

c. delivering liquid water within the bore hole to a depth sufficient to produce steam, wherein the steam is produced at a pressure sufficient to urge at least a portion of said turbine to rotate; and

,

d. providing a drive shaft in mechanical communication with said generator and with said turbine, said drive shaft delivers rotational force from said turbine to said generator and serves as a conduit for said water delivery system.