Systems for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle operation during hydrocarbon production based on working fluid temperature

A system for generating geothermal power in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a first pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the wellhead, the first pipe configured to transport wellhead fluid under high-pressure;
• a first wellhead fluid valve having a first end and second end, the first end of the first wellhead fluid valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the first wellhead fluid valve to control flow of wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature;
• a heat exchanger valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the heat exchanger valve positioned to divert and control the flow of wellhead fluid;
• a controller configured to signal the heat exchanger valve to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature of an organic working fluid when the organic working fluid reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold;
• a high-pressure heat exchanger to accept the flow of wellhead fluid when the heat exchanger valve is open, the high-pressure heat exchanger including a first opening and a second opening connected via a first fluidic path and a third opening and a fourth opening connected via a second fluidic path, the first fluidic path and the second fluidic path to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid, the transfer of heat from the wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid to cause the organic working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor, the flow of wellhead fluid flowing into the first opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger from the heat exchanger valve through the first fluidic path and to the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a flow of the organic working fluid flowing into the third opening through the second fluidic path and out of the fourth opening;
• a first temperature sensor connected to the fourth opening, the first temperature sensor to provide the organic working fluid temperature, the organic working fluid temperature defined by a temperature of the organic working fluid flowing through the second fluidic path;
• a second pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the second end of the first wellhead fluid valve and connected to and in fluid communication with the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger;
• a generator connected to and in fluid communication with the fourth opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger, the organic working fluid flowing from the fourth opening to the generator, thereby to cause the generator to generate electrical power via rotation of a vapor expander as defined by an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation;
• a condenser to facilitate heat transfer from the organic working fluid to a coolant;
• and
• a pump connected to the condenser to pump the organic working fluid from the condenser to the third opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger.

A system for generating power in thermal power operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger (a) including a first fluid path to accept and output a flow of wellhead fluid and a second fluid path to accept and output a flow of a first working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of wellhead fluid to the flow of the first working fluid;
• a first temperature sensor to provide a first temperature of the flow of the first working fluid output from the second fluid path;
• a heat exchanger valve positioned to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads to the first fluid path;
• a controller configured to signal the heat exchanger valve to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid based on (a) when the first temperature reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold and (b) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• a wellhead fluid valve to adjust the flow of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads downstream based on (a) diversion of the flow of wellhead fluid to the heat exchanger valve, (b) when the first temperature reaches the vaporous phase-change temperature threshold, and (c) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• and
• a thermal power generator including a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger (a) including a third fluid path to accept and output the flow of first working fluid from the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and a fourth fluid path to accept and output the flow of a second working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of the first working fluid to the flow of the second working fluid and cause the second working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor so as to cause the thermal power generator to generate electrical power.

A system for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a first temperature sensor to provide a first temperature, the first temperature defined by a temperature of a flow of organic working fluid;
• a heat exchanger valve to divert flow of wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads based on when the first temperature reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold within a selected period of time;
• a high-pressure heat exchanger including a first fluid path to accept and output the flow of wellhead fluid from the heat exchanger valve and a second fluid path to accept and output the flow of the organic working fluid, the high-pressure heat exchanger positioned to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of wellhead fluid to the flow of the organic working fluid, thereby to cause the organic working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor;
• and
• an ORC unit including a generator, a gas expander, and a partial loop for the flow of the organic working fluid, the partial loop defined by a fluid path through a condenser, the gas expander, and a pump, the partial loop further defining a complete loop when connected to the second fluid path of the high-pressure heat exchanger, the flow of the organic working fluid, as a vapor, positioned to cause the generator to generate electrical power via rotation of the gas expander as defined by an ORC operation, the condenser to cool the flow of the organic working fluid so that the cooled flow of the organic working fluid change phases from the vapor to the liquid, the pump positioned to transport the liquid state organic working fluid from the condenser for heating.

A system for generating geothermal power in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a first pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the wellhead, the first pipe configured to transport wellhead fluid under high-pressure;
• a first wellhead fluid valve having a first end and second end, the first end of the first wellhead fluid valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the first wellhead fluid valve to control flow of wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature;
• a heat exchanger valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the heat exchanger valve to divert and control the flow of wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature of an organic working fluid when the organic working fluid reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold;
• a high-pressure heat exchanger to accept the flow of wellhead fluid when the heat exchanger valve is open, the high-pressure heat exchanger including a first opening and a second opening connected via a first fluidic path and a third opening and a fourth opening connected via a second fluidic path, the first fluidic path and the second fluidic path to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid, the transfer of heat from the wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid when in operation causes the organic working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor, the flow of wellhead fluid flowing into the first opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger from the heat exchanger valve through the first fluidic path and to the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a flow of the organic working fluid flowing into the third opening through the second fluidic path and out of the fourth opening;
• a first temperature sensor connected to the fourth opening, the first temperature sensor to provide the organic working fluid temperature, the organic working fluid temperature defined by a temperature of the organic working fluid flowing through the second fluidic path;
• a second pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the second end of the first wellhead fluid valve and connected to and in fluid communication with the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger;
• a generator connected to and in fluid communication with the fourth opening of the high- pressure heat exchanger, the organic working fluid flowing from the fourth opening to the generator during operation, thereby to cause the generator to generate electrical power via rotation of a vapor expander as defined by an ORC operation;
• a condenser to facilitate heat transfer from the organic working fluid to a coolant;
• a pump connected to the condenser to pump the organic working fluid from the condenser to the third opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger so that the generator, condenser, and pump collectively define an ORC unit associated with a first module and so that the high-pressure heat exchanger is associated with a second module;
• a first vehicle having the first module mounted thereon;
• and
• a second vehicle having the second module mounted thereon.

A system for generating power in thermal power operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger (a) including a first fluid path to accept and output a flow of wellhead fluid and a second fluid path to accept and output a flow of a first working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of wellhead fluid to the flow of the first working fluid;
• a first temperature sensor to provide a first temperature of the flow of the first working fluid output from the second fluid path;
• a heat exchanger valve to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads to the first fluid path based on (a) when the first temperature reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold and (b) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• a wellhead fluid valve to adjust the flow of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads downstream based on (a) diversion of the flow of wellhead fluid to the heat exchanger valve, (b) when the first temperature reaches the vaporous phase-change temperature threshold, and (c) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• a thermal power generator including a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger (a) including a third fluid path to accept and output the flow of first working fluid from the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and a fourth fluid path to accept and output the flow of a second working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of the first working fluid to the flow of the second working fluid and cause the second working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor so as to cause the thermal power generator to generate electrical power;
• and
• a second temperature sensor to provide a second temperature of the flow of the second working fluid output from the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger valve positioned to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads to the first fluid path based on the second temperature.

A system for generating power in thermal power operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger (a) including a first fluid path to accept and output a flow of wellhead fluid and a second fluid path to accept and output a flow of a first working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of wellhead fluid to the flow of the first working fluid;
• a first temperature sensor to provide a first temperature of the flow of the first working fluid output from the second fluid path;
• a heat exchanger valve to divert the flow of the wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads to the first fluid path based on (a) when the first temperature reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold and (b) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• a wellhead fluid valve to adjust the flow of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads downstream based on (a) diversion of the flow of wellhead fluid to the heat exchanger valve, (b) when the first temperature reaches the vaporous phase-change temperature threshold, and (c) production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads;
• a thermal power generator including a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger (a) including a third fluid path to accept and output the flow of first working fluid from the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and a fourth fluid path to accept and output the flow of a second working fluid and (b) to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of the first working fluid to the flow of the second working fluid and cause the second working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor so as to cause the thermal power generator to generate electrical power;
• and
• a flow meter (a) positioned downstream of the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and the wellhead fluid valve and (b) configured to measure the flow of wellhead fluid downstream of the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and the wellhead fluid valve, the flow of wellhead fluid downstream of the high-pressure intermediate heat exchanger and the wellhead fluid valve positioned to indicate production of wellhead fluid from the one or more wellheads.

A system for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in-field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a first temperature sensor to provide a first temperature, the first temperature defined by a temperature of a flow of organic working fluid;
• a heat exchanger valve to divert flow of wellhead fluid from one or more wellheads based on (a) when the first temperature reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold and (b) a pressure of the flow of wellhead fluid being below a pressure threshold;
• a high-pressure heat exchanger including a first fluid path to accept and output the flow of wellhead fluid from the heat exchanger valve and a second fluid path to accept and output the flow of the organic working fluid, the high-pressure heat exchanger positioned to indirectly transfer heat from the flow of wellhead fluid to the flow of the organic working fluid, thereby to cause the organic working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor;
• and
• an ORC unit including a generator, a gas expander, and a partial loop for the flow of the organic working fluid, the partial loop defined by a fluid path through a condenser, the gas expander, and a pump, the partial loop further defining a complete loop when connected to the second fluid path of the high-pressure heat exchanger, the flow of the organic working fluid, as a vapor, positioned to cause the generator to generate electrical power via rotation of the gas expander as defined by an ORC operation, the condenser positioned to cool the flow of the organic working fluid so that the cooled flow of the organic working fluid changes phase from the vapor to the liquid, the pump positioned to transport the liquid state organic working fluid from the condenser for heating.

A system for generating geothermal power in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production, thereby to supply electrical power to one or more of in- field equipment, a grid power structure, or energy storage devices, the system comprising:

• a first pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the wellhead, the first pipe configured to transport wellhead fluid under high-pressure;
• a first wellhead fluid valve having a first end and second end, the first end of the first wellhead fluid valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the first wellhead fluid valve to control flow of wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature;
• a heat exchanger valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe, the heat exchanger valve to divert and control the flow of wellhead fluid based on an organic working fluid temperature of an organic working fluid when the organic working fluid reaches a vaporous phase-change temperature threshold;
• a high-pressure heat exchanger to accept the flow of wellhead fluid when the heat exchanger valve is open, the high-pressure heat exchanger including a first opening and a second opening connected via a first fluidic path and a third opening and a fourth opening connected via a second fluidic path, the first fluidic path and the second fluidic path to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid, the transfer of heat from the wellhead fluid to the organic working fluid, thereby causes the organic working fluid to change phases from a liquid to a vapor, the flow of wellhead fluid flowing into the first opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger from the heat exchanger valve through the first fluidic path and to the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a flow of the organic working fluid flowing into the third opening through the second fluidic path and out of the fourth opening;
• a first temperature sensor connected to the fourth opening, the first temperature sensor to provide the organic working fluid temperature, the organic working fluid temperature defined by a temperature of the organic working fluid flowing through the second fluidic path;
• a second pipe connected to and in fluid communication with the second end of the first wellhead fluid valve and connected to and in fluid communication with the second opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger;
• a generator connected to and in fluid communication with the fourth opening of the high- pressure heat exchanger, the organic working fluid flowing from the fourth opening to the generator, thereby to cause the generator to generate electrical power via rotation of a vapor expander as defined by an ORC operation;
• a condenser to facilitate heat transfer from the organic working fluid to a coolant;
• and
• a pump connected to the condenser to pump the organic working fluid from the condenser to the third opening of the high-pressure heat exchanger;
• a heat sink valve connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe downstream of the heat exchanger valve to divert another flow of wellhead fluid based on a temperature of the another flow of wellhead fluid being below a temperature threshold;
• and
• a heat sink to accept the another flow of wellhead fluid from the heat sink valve and transfer heat from the organic working fluid to the another flow of wellhead fluid.