Modular mobile heat generation unit for generation of geothermal power in organic Rankine cycle operations

A system for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation for supplying electrical power to in-field equipment, a grid power structure, energy storage devices, or combinations thereof, the system comprising:

• at least one mobile heat generation unit;
• one or more conduits configured to divert a flow of heated fluid from one or more heat sources to the at least one mobile heat generation unit;
• wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit comprises:
• a pair of heat exchangers mounted at elevated positions adapted to facilitate access,
• a pump configured to pump a flow of a working fluid through the heat exchangers, and
• a first fluid path extending through the heat exchangers and along which the flow of heated fluid is received from at least one of the one or more conduits and is directed through the heat exchangers, and a second fluid path extending through the heat exchangers and along which the flow of the working fluid directed through the heat exchangers for indirectly transferring heat from the flow of heated fluid passing through the heat exchangers along the first fluid path to the flow of the working fluid passing through the heat exchangers along the second fluid path to cause the working fluid be heated so as to change phases from a liquid substantially to a vapor;
• and
• an ORC unit including a generator, a gas expander, and a pump;
• wherein a substantially closed fluid recirculation loop for the working fluid is defined between the at least one mobile heat generation unit and the ORC unit when connected to the second fluid path of the mobile heat generation unit,
• wherein the flow of the heated working fluid into the ORC unit causes the generator thereof to generate electrical power via rotation of the gas expander of the ORC operation, after which the working fluid is cooled so as to cause the working fluid to change phases to the liquid phase, whereupon the liquid phase working fluid is recirculated back to the at least one mobile heat generation unit for reheating, and
• wherein the at least one heat mobile heat generation unit comprises a transportable pre-packaged module.

A mobile heat generation unit for use in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power operation for generation of electrical power, comprising:

• a transportable package including a frame having upper and lower portions and sides defining a chamber and a footprint, the package further comprising:
• at least one heat exchanger located within the chamber at an elevated position adjacent the upper portion of the frame to facilitate access to the at least one heat exchanger;
• a connecting pipe extending between the at least one heat exchanger and a heat source and configured to direct a flow of a high pressure or high temperature fluid from the heat source to the at least one heat exchanger;
• a controller having programming configured to monitor temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof of a working fluid passing along a fluid recirculation loop defined between the mobile heat generation unit and at least one ORC unit, and for regulating flow of the working fluid through the at least one heat exchanger for transfer of heat from the flow of the high pressure or high temperature fluid to the working fluid;
• and
• a fluid recirculation system comprising:
• a fluid intake conduit coupled in fluid communication with the at least one ORC unit for receiving the working fluid at a first temperature from the at least one ORC unit,
• a fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the at least one ORC unit for supplying the working fluid thereto, wherein the working fluid is supplied to the ORC unit at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature,
• a pump connected to the fluid intake conduit, the pump and configured to pump the working fluid received through the fluid intake conduit through the fluid recirculation system, and
• a piping array, including a first section of piping extending between the pump and the at least one heat exchanger for supplying the working fluid to the at least one heat exchanger, and a second section of piping extending between the at least one heat exchanger and the fluid outlet conduit, at least a portion of the fluid inlet conduit extends along an upper portion of the frame and connects to the first section of piping, and at least a portion of the fluid outlet conduit extends along an upper portion of the frame and connects to the second section of piping,
• thereby as the working fluid passes along the piping array and through the at least one heat exchanger, heat from the high pressure or high temperature fluid supplied to the at least one heat exchanger from the heat source transfers to the working fluid so as to heat the working fluid to the second temperature for supply to the at least one ORC unit.

A method for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle operation during hydrocarbon production to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device, the method comprising:

• locating one or more mobile heat generation units at a hydrocarbon production site;
• wherein the one or more mobile heat generation units each comprise a package having at least one heat exchanger, a controller, and a fluid recirculation system including a pump, a fluid inlet conduit through which a flow of a working fluid is received in a substantially liquid phase, a fluid outlet conduit through which the working fluid is supplied in a substantially vapor phase, and an array of piping defining a fluid path extending from the pump through the at least one heat exchanger and to the fluid outlet conduit;
• connecting the at least one heat exchanger of the one or more mobile heat generation units to a heat source thereby defining a fluid path extending from the heat source through the at least one heat exchanger;
• connecting one or more ORC units to the at least one heat exchanger;
• opening one or more valves positioned between the at least one heat exchanger and the heat source connected thereto to enable a flow of heated fluid along the fluid path extending from the heat source through the at least one heat exchanger, and pumping the working fluid along the fluid path extending from the pump through the at least one heat exchanger and to the fluid outlet conduit,
• wherein the at least one heat exchanger transfers heat from the flow of heated fluid to the working fluid pumped through the at least one heat exchanger, to cause a change in phase of the working fluid from a liquid to a vapor, which is thereafter supplied to the one or more ORC units to drive a generator for generation of electrical power from the ORC operation;
• and
• monitoring temperature of the working fluid, pressure of the working fluid, ambient weather conditions, or a combination thereof, and opening and closing one or more control valves to regulate the flow of the working fluid through the array of piping to control the temperature or pressure thereof, or to drain the working fluid from the array of piping upon detecting of subfreezing temperatures.