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US 2024/0287970 A1Published application
Drilling equipment powered by geothermal energy
AssigneeEnhancedGEO Holdings, LLC
InventorsGreg Lindberg, Kimberly C. Conner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drilling system includes a wellbore extending from a surface into a geothermal reservoir. The geothermal reservoir may be an underground magma reservoir. The wellbore is configured to heat a heat transfer fluid via heat transfer with the underground magma reservoir. A steam-powered motor uses the heat transfer fluid that is heated by the geothermal system to rotate a drill bit to drill a borehole.
Claims15
A drilling system, comprising:
- a geothermal system comprising a wellbore extending from a surface into an underground magma reservoir, the wellbore configured to heat a heat transfer fluid via heat transfer with the underground magma reservoir;
- a drill rig comprising:
- a drill bit;
- and
- a steam-powered motor configured to use the heat transfer fluid heated by the geothermal system to rotate the drill bit.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a heat transfer fluid down a wellbore extending from a surface and into an underground reservoir of magma;
- receiving heated heat transfer fluid from the wellbore;
- and
- powering drilling equipment using the heated heat transfer fluid to drill a borehole.
1 more element
A steam-powered motor comprising:
- a piston within a cylinder;
- one or more valves configured to:
- receive steam heated in a wellbore extending from a surface into an underground magma reservoir;
- and
- control introduction of steam into the cylinder, such that the piston moves within the cylinder;
- and
- a rod connected to the piston and to a flywheel, wherein movement of the piston within the cylinder causes the flywheel to rotate.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.