Controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic rankine cycle operation during hydrocarbon production

A controller to control an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) process having an ORC unit when the ORC unit is positioned in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, the controller comprising:

• an input in signal communication with a wellhead fluid temperature sensor, the wellhead fluid temperature sensor to provide a temperature of a wellhead fluid flow from the wellhead;
• an input/output in signal communication with the wellhead fluid valve and a heat exchanger valve, the controller being operable to:
• in response to the temperature being above a phase change threshold:
• transmit a signal to the heat exchanger valve to cause a position of the heat exchanger valve to adjust so as to allow continuous diversion of the flow of the wellhead fluid to one or more heat exchangers and to facilitate transfer of heat from the flow of the wellhead fluid to a working fluid through the one or more heat exchangers thereby causing generation of electrical power in the ORC unit, and
• transmit a signal to the wellhead fluid valve to cause a position of the wellhead fluid valve to adjust.

A controller to control an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) process having an ORC unit when the ORC unit is positioned in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, the controller comprising:

• a first input in signal communication with a working fluid temperature sensor, the working fluid temperature sensor to provide a temperature measurement of a working fluid flow from one or more heat exchangers;
• a second input in signal communication with a wellhead fluid temperature sensor, the wellhead fluid temperature sensor to provide a temperature of a wellhead fluid flow from the wellhead;
• and
• an input/output in signal communication with the wellhead fluid valve and the heat exchanger valve, the controller being operable to:
• transmit a signal to the heat exchanger valve to cause a position of the heat exchanger valve to adjust so as to allow continuous diversion of the flow of the wellhead fluid to one or more heat exchangers and to facilitate transfer of heat from the flow of the wellhead fluid to the working fluid through the one or more heat exchangers thereby causing generation of electrical power in an ORC unit, and
• in response to one or more of (a) a temperature measurement of the working fluid from the first input being less than a working fluid threshold and (b) a temperature measurement of the wellhead fluid being less than a wellhead fluid threshold:
• transmit a signal to the wellhead fluid valve to cause a position of the wellhead fluid valve to adjust, and
• transmit a signal to the heat exchanger valve to the position of the heat exchanger valve to adjust.