Apparatus and methods for producing electricity using geothermal energy
AssigneeGeogen Technologies Inc.
InventorMatthew HOGG
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A geothermal power system is disclosed. The system comprises a downhole turbine configured to operate within a wellbore and a downhole electrical generator configured to be driven by the turbine. A channel facilitates flow of a working fluid through the turbine. The channel has a feed portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction away from the surface and a return portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface. A surface structure is in fluid communication with the feed portion and the return portion to circulate the working fluid through the channel.
Claims53
A geothermal system for generating electric power from flow of a working fluid in a wellbore, the system comprising:
- a downhole coaxial channel having an inner passage, an outer passage, and a toe located between the inner passage and the outer passage to place the inner passage in fluid communication with the outer passage;
- a turbine generator located in the downhole coaxial channel;
- and
- a surface structure in fluid communication with the inner passage and the outer passage for circulating the working fluid through the coaxial channel in a closed loop.
A geothermal power system comprising:
- a downhole turbine configured to operate within a wellbore;
- a downhole electrical generator configured to operate within the wellbore and to be driven by the turbine;
- and
- a channel for directing a working fluid through the turbine in order to drive the turbine, wherein the channel is a continuous channel which comprises a feed portion configured to allow the working fluid to flow in a direction away from a surface and a return portion configured to allow the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface, wherein the feed and return portion are configured to sit within the wellbore.
A method of generating power comprising:
- directing a working fluid through a continuous downhole channel extending between a feed and a return at surface, the working fluid increasing in temperature and pressure as the working fluid is directed through a first portion of the channel;
- passing the working fluid through a turbine located in the first portion of the channel to generate power;
- after passing the working fluid through the turbine, directing the working fluid through a second portion of the channel, the working fluid further increasing in temperature as the working fluid is directed through the second portion of the channel;
- and
- directing the working fluid through a third portion of the channel,
- wherein the working fluid is thermosyphoned back to surface through the third portion of the channel.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.