# US 2009/0260358 A1 · Thermoelectric Energy Conversion System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260358 A1 - Document ID: US20090260358A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/411,824 - Filed: 2009-03-26 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-03 - Assignees: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Inventors: John W. Rapp; Robert James Howard; Nicholas J. Nagurny; Natalie Levings; Lance Greer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260358A1 ## CPC - F01K 27/00: Plants for converting heat or fluid energy into mechanical energy, not otherwise provided for - E21B 41/0007: {for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence)} - E21B 41/0085: {Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes} - F01K 13/00: General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants - F03G 4/001: {Binary cycle plants where the source fluid from the geothermal collector heats the working fluid via a heat exchanger} - F03G 4/074: {Safety arrangements} - F03G 7/05: Ocean thermal energy conversion, i.e. OTEC - F24T 10/20: using underground water as working fluid; using working fluid injected directly into the ground, e.g. using injection wells and recovery wells - Y02E 10/10: Geothermal energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - F24T: GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A system for generating electrical energy using a naturally occurring temperature difference is disclosed. The system provides electrical energy by thermally coupling a conduit that conveys hot material from a petroleum reserve and cold deep-level water to opposing sides of a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element generates electrical energy based on the temperature difference between these two surfaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for generating electrical energy comprising: an energy conversion unit, wherein the energy conversion unit comprises; a hot zone, wherein the hot zone and a conduit are thermally coupled; and a cold zone that is thermally coupled to a region of a body of water; and an energy conversion system that generates electrical energy based on a temperature difference between the hot zone and the cold zone; wherein the conduit conveys a petroleum product from a petroleum reserve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the region is at a depth greater than 100 meters. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the region is at a depth greater than 1000 meters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a Rankine-cycle engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a solid-state thermoelectric element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy conversion system generates electrical energy by means of the Peltier effect. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a quantum-well thermoelectric element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure hull, and wherein the pressure hull encloses the energy conversion system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pressure hull comprises the cold zone. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for generating electrical energy comprising: a conduit, wherein the conduit conveys a fluid from a petroleum reserve; an energy conversion unit, wherein the energy conversion unit comprises; a hot zone that is thermally coupled to the fluid; and a cold zone that is thermally coupled to a region of a body of water; an energy conversion system that generates electrical energy based on a temperature difference between the hot zone and the cold zone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the region is at a depth greater than 100 meters. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the region is at a depth greater than 1000 meters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a Rankine-cycle engine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a solid-state thermoelectric element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the energy conversion system generates electrical energy by means of the Peltier effect. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the energy conversion system comprises a quantum-well thermoelectric element. ### Claim 17 A method for generating electrical energy comprising: conveying petroleum product from a petroleum reservoir; thermally coupling a hot zone of an energy conversion unit to the conduit; thermally coupling a cold zone of the energy conversion unit to a region of a body of water; and generating electrical energy, wherein the energy conversion unit generates the electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the hot zone and the cold zone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising providing the generated electrical energy to a petroleum production platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising: thermally coupling the hot zone and a working fluid; vaporizing the working fluid; and condensing the working fluid; wherein the turbogenerator generates the electrical energy based on a pressure that is based on the vaporized working fluid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising: thermally coupling the hot zone and a first surface of a thermoelectric element; thermally coupling the cold zone and a second surface of the thermoelectric element; wherein the thermoelectric element generates the electrical energy based on a difference in the temperature of the first surface and the second surface.