US 2008/0289795 A1 · GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A pipe for use in a geothermal heat exchange system is disclosed that is insertable into a bore hole having a proximal end and a distal end. The pipe has a proximal end, a distal end and an outer wall member. The outer wall member includes an external surface, and an interior surface defining an interior passageway through which a heat exchange fluid can flow. The pipe also includes a divider extending between opposed points of the interior surface for dividing the interior passageway into an inflow passageway for conducting water from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe, and an outflow passageway for conducting water from the distal end to the proximal end of the pipe. The divider segregates the water in the outflow passageway from the water in the inflow passageway.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A pipe for use in a geothermal heat exchange system, the pipe being insertable into a bore hole having a proximal end and a distal end, the pipe comprising

a pipe having a proximal end, a distal end and an outer wall member, the outer wall member including an external surface, and an interior surface defining an interior passageway through which a heat exchange fluid can flow;
the pipe including a divider extending between opposed points of the interior surface for dividing the interior passageway into an inflow passageway for conducting heat exchange fluid from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe, and an outflow passageway for conducting heat exchange fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the pipe;
wherein the divider segregates the water in the outflow passageway from the water in the inflow passageway.

A method for installing a pipe for use in a geothermal heat exchange system in a bore hole including a great containing space between a bore hole wall and the pipe comprising

(1) providing a pipe having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall member including an external surface and an interior surface defining an interior passageway through which a heat exchanger fluid can flow;
the pipe further includes a divider for dividing the interior passageway into at least an inflow passageway, and an outflow passageway through which the heat exchange fluid can flow;
and a grout receiving passageway and at least one laterally extending passageway, the laterally extending passageway including a first end in fluid communication with the grout receiving passageway and a second end in fluid communication with the external surface of the outer member,
(2) placing the pipe in the bore hole such that a grout receiving space exists between the external surface of the outer member and a wall of the bore hole,
(3) inserting grout in the grout receiving passageway in a manner to cause the grout to flow from the grout receiving passageway through the lateral passageway and into the grout containing space (GSC), and
(4) continuing to add grout into the grout receiving passageway until sufficient grout has entered the grout containing space (GCS) to substantially encase the pipe.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Geothermal heat exchanger

Life of this patent

Geothermal heat exchanger

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24