Closed-loop geothermal energy collection system

Abstract

Techniques are provided for extracting geothermal energy, by providing salt into a well shaft that ends in a chamber in the Earth surrounded by a source of geothermal energy. The salt melts and heats up to the temperature within the chamber. The hot molten salt is then extracted and the heat from the molten salt is used as a source of energy to generate electricity or drive an industrial process. The salt can be re-used once the heat is extracted in a closed-loop system. According to some techniques, the salt is conveyed down the well by a pneumatic conveyer system or in other cases by using a mechanical system, such as a screw drive. Once returned to the surface, the molten salt can be used to heat graphite blocks for energy storage or be stored and transported to remote locations to extract the heat energy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.