Multiple-completion geothermal energy production systems
OwnerAllen T. Van Huiseninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for the mining of geothermal energy in which a plurality of geothermal wells radiate from a single surface site into a subsurface geothermal reservoir. The wells can be drilled by conventional slant drilling techniques and each may contain a closed end heat exchanger which receives water and generates steam. Some of the heat exchangers are disposed vertically and others are implanted horizontally. By alternating production of the wells in a programmed cyclical manner, convective movement of the hydrothermal fluid will occur within the geothermal zone. The generated steam is collected in a reservoir at the surface site and utilized to generate electricity. The condensate from the turbine can be recycled to the wells.
Claims19
A system for the recovery of geothermal energy comprising:
- a closed, steam vapor collection reservoir vessel for collection of high pressure steam vapor having side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, said side walls and bottom wall being recessed below the surface of the earth and said bottom wall containing a plurality of apertures;
- a plurality of cased geothermal wells, the casings of each having a first end converging toward and sealingly connected to one of the apertures in the bottom wall of said reservoir and each well casing diverging from said reservoir and having a second end disposed within a common, wet geothermal zone having a temperature of at least 300.degree. F;
- and
- vapor fluid delivery means within each of said wells to conduct heated steam vapor fluid from each second end to said reservoir vessel for collecting high pressure steam vapor fluid therein.
A method of recovering geothermal energy comprising the steps of:
- recessing the apertured bottom wall and the side walls of a closed, steam vapor collection reservoir vessel below the surface of the earth;
- slant drilling a plurality of geothermal wells, each having a first upper end converging toward said reservoir vessel and a second lower end disposed within a common, wet geothermal zone;
- casing each of said wells;
- connecting each of the upper, first ends of said casings to the aperture in the bottom wall of said reservoir vessel;
- and
- collecting high pressure steam vapor in said vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.