# US 2013/0153399 A1 · Geothermal energization of a non-combustion chemical reactor and associated systems and methods

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- Number: US 2013/0153399 A1
- Document ID: US20130153399A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/764,107
- Filed: 2013-02-11
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-12
- Assignees: McAlister Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153399A1

## CPC

- C01B 32/956: Silicon carbide
- C01B 32/05: Preparation or purification of carbon not covered by groups C01B32/15, C01B32/20, C01B32/25, C01B32/30
- C01B 32/205: Preparation
- C12M 21/04: {for producing gas, e.g. biogas (digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10)}
- C12M 41/20: {the heat transfer medium being a gas}
- F01K 13/00: General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants
- F23G 5/02: with pretreatment
- F24S 20/20: Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
- F24S 23/71: with parabolic reflective surfaces (with cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces F24S23/74)
- F24S 30/20: for linear movement
- F28D 15/02: in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes {(heat pipes used in solar heat collectors F24S10/95; in radiators F28D1/0226; in nuclear reactors G21C15/257)}
- F28D 15/046: {characterised by the material or the construction of the capillary structure}
- F28D 15/06: Control arrangements therefor
- H10P 95/00: Generic processes or apparatus for manufacture or treatments not covered by the other groups of this subclass
- F23G 2201/50: Devolatilising; from soil, objects
- F23G 2900/50803: using solar energy
- F24S 23/74: with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
- F24T 10/15: using bent tubes; using tubes assembled with connectors or with return headers
- F24T 10/17: using tubes closed at one end, i.e. return-type tubes
- 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 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- 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)
- F23G: CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general)
- H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10
- F24T: GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A reactor system for use with a geothermal heat source, the reactor system comprising:
a chemical reactor;
a products collector positioned to receive a reaction product from the chemical reactor, the reaction product being formed from a separation process applied to a donor in the chemical reactor;
a working fluid transfer system including:
a collection conduit coupled to the geothermal heat source to convey heated working fluid from the geothermal heat source;
a heat transfer device coupled to the collection conduit to transfer heat from the working fluid to the reactor;
a first conduit portion operatively coupled to the heat transfer device to convey the working fluid in a gas phase to an intermediate location, the intermediate location having a higher elevation than an elevation of the chemical reactor;
a phase change device located at the intermediate location to change the phase of the working fluid from the gas phase to a liquid phase; and
a second conduit portion coupled to the phase change device to convey the working fluid in the liquid phase to the geothermal heat source.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a reactant source coupled to the chemical reactor to provide the donor to the chemical reactor;

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein the reactant source further provides a carbon-hydrogen donor to the chemical reactor, and wherein the products collector is a first products collector positioned to receive a carbon-based product, and wherein the system further comprises a second products collector positioned to receive a hydrogen-based product.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid transfer system includes a closed loop that conveys a working fluid in a circuit between the geothermal heat source and the chemical reactor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid transfer system is an open loop system in which the working fluid is directly exposed to the geothermal heat source.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the chemical reactor is a non-combustion dissociation reactor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the phase change device includes a heat exchanger.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the phase change device includes a condenser.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the phase change device includes a compressor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid includes a first constituent, and wherein the system further comprises a mixer positioned at the intermediate location and coupled to at least one of the first and second conduits to mix a second constituent with the first constituent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate location is positioned at least 500 feet above the first location, the second location, or both the first and second locations.

### Claim 12

A reactor system for use with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
a non-combustion dissociation reactor disposed above the geothermal heat source;
a working fluid supply system, the supply system including a supply conduit extending to a first portion of the geothermal heat source, the supply system further including a pressure source coupled to the supply conduit to convey the working fluid from a terminal end of the supply conduit into direct contact with the geothermal heat source;
a working fluid collection system including a collection conduit having a terminal end disposed at a second portion of the geothermal heat source spaced apart from the first portion of the geothermal heat source;
a separator coupled to the collection conduit to remove from the working fluid a constituent retrieved by the working fluid at the geothermal heat source;
a heat transfer system coupled between the working fluid collector and the reactor;
a reactant source coupled to the reactor to provide a donor to the reactor;
a product removal passage positioned to direct a reaction product from the reactor; and
a working fluid return system coupled between the working fluid collection system and the working fluid supply system.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12 wherein the working fluid return system includes an evaporator in fluid communication with the working fluid collection system.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13 wherein the working fluid return system further includes a condenser in communication with the working fluid system via a channel.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14 wherein the condenser is disposed at an elevation above the evaporator.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12 wherein the working fluid return system includes:
a first conduit portion coupled to the heat transfer system to convey the working fluid in a gas phase to an intermediate location, the intermediate location having a higher elevation than an elevation of the chemical reactor;
a phase change device located at the intermediate location to change the phase of the working fluid from the gas phase to a liquid phase; and
a second conduit portion coupled to the phase change device to convey the working fluid to the geothermal heat source.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, further comprising the working fluid, and wherein the working fluid includes ammonia.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, further comprising the working fluid, and wherein the working fluid includes at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

### Claim 19

A method for heating a reactor system with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
heating a working fluid at the geothermal heat source;
extracting a constituent from the geothermal heat source with the working fluid;
separating the constituent from the working fluid;
transferring heat from the working fluid to a reactor;
providing a donor substance to the reactor;
reacting the donor substance at the reactor using the heat provided by the working fluid; and
removing a reaction product from the reactor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the working fluid includes ammonia.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the working fluid includes at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the constituent includes a metal.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the constituent includes a rare earth metal.

### Claim 24 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the reaction product is at least one of carbon, silicon carbide, graphite, graphene, a carbon film, a ceramic, a semiconductor device, and a polymer.

### Claim 25 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein heating the working fluid includes disposing the working fluid in direct contact with the geothermal heat source.

### Claim 26 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein heating the working fluid includes directing the working fluid to exit a first conduit at an entry portion of the geothermal heat source, directing the working fluid to pass along a flowpath extending through the geothermal heat source with the working fluid being in direct contact with the geothermal heat source, and directing the working fluid to enter a second conduit at an exit portion of the geothermal source, the second conduit being spaced apart from the first conduit.

### Claim 27

A method for heating a reactor system with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
directing a working fluid into thermal contact with the geothermal heat source to transfer heat from the geothermal heat source to the working fluid;
transferring heat from the working fluid to a chemical reactor;
dissociating a constituent from a donor substance in a non-combustive chemical process at the chemical reactor, using the heat transferred from the working fluid;
elevating the working fluid in a gas phase from a first elevation to an intermediate elevation higher than the first elevation;
at the intermediate elevation, changing the phase of the working fluid from the gas phase to a liquid phase;
under the force of gravity, recirculating the working fluid in the liquid phase from the intermediate elevation and into thermal contact with the geothermal heat source.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, further comprising:
extracting a constituent from the geothermal heat source with the working fluid; and
separating the constituent from the working fluid.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein changing the phase of the constituent includes cooling the constituent.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The method of claim 29 wherein an outside temperature at the second elevation is less than an outside temperature at the first elevation.

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein changing the phase of the constituent includes compressing the constituent.

### Claim 32 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the second elevation is at least 500 feet above the first elevation.