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US 2009/0211757 A1Published application
Utilization of geothermal energy
OwnerWilliam Rileyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluid is introduced to one or more underground fluid passages in thermal contact with a hot rock formation. Kinetic energy of the fluid being introduced is converted into electrical energy. The introduced fluid absorbs heat from the hot rock formation. That absorbed heat is extracted from the heated fluid for use in connection with a domestic or industrial application.
Claims28
A method comprising:
- introducing fluid to one or more underground fluid passages in thermal contact with a hot rock formation;
- converting kinetic energy of the fluid being introduced to the one or more underground fluid passages into electrical energy;
- absorbing heat from the hot rock formation into the introduced fluid;
- and
- extracting the absorbed heat from the heated fluid for use in connection with a domestic or industrial application.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- an underground hot rock formation;
- a fluid injection well that facilitates introducing fluid to one or more underground fluid passages in thermal contact with the underground hot rock formation;
- and
- a turbine-generator arranged to convert kinetic energy of the fluid being introduced into electrical energy;
- wherein the system is arranged so that introduced fluid absorbs heat from the hot rock formation and wherein the absorbed heat is extracted for use in connection with a domestic or industrial application.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- an underground hot rock formation having one or more surfaces that define one or more underground fluid passages in thermal contact with a hot dry rock formation;
- a fluid injection well arranged to facilitate introducing fluid to the one or more underground fluid passages, wherein the introduced fluid absorbs heat from the hot rock formation;
- a fluid production well arranged to facilitate removing fluid from the one or more underground fluid passages;
- a turbine-generator arranged in the fluid introduction well to convert kinetic energy of the fluid being introduced into electrical energy;
- and
- a heat exchanger to extract the absorbed heat for use in connection with a domestic or industrial application.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.