Storage systems for heat or cold including aquifers
OwnerHenry J. Hibshmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for storing heat or cold in aquifers in the form of hot or cold water, making use of one or more above-ground subsystems for collecting or utilizing the aquifer-stored heat and/or cold. A salient feature of the aquifer storage systems and methods of the present invention includes means and techniques for at least partially controlling or neutralizing the hydraulic gradients in the aquifer area.
Claims18
A system for storing heat or cold in material aquifers in the form of hot or cold water, comprising in combination:
- a first subsystem for heat or cold utilization disposed above ground-water level including a first set of conduits with circulating heat-transfer fluid;
- a second subsystem including a second set of conduits connected to means in heat-transfer relation with said first subsystem;
- said second subsystem including at one terminal a core well configuration extending substantially vertically down from ground level to an aquifer stratum disposed below said ground level for storing hot or cold water, and connected at the other terminal to means for returning at a point spaced apart from said core well configuration, water derived from said means in heat transfer with said first subsystem;
- and means for at least partially controlling the thermal and hydraulic gradients surrounding said core well configuration.
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for at least partially controlling said thermal and hydraulic gradients comprises a space relationship between said satellite wells and said core well configuration such that when all of the water to be stored has been injected into said core wells, the thermal energy of said injected water is contained within the perimeter of a storage area A;
- wherein said storage area A is defined by the equation:
- A=V/t where V=the volume of the storage area, and t=the average thickness of the storage area;
- in which the storage volume V is computed from the following equation:
- V=Q/c.sub.v(Ave.)
- Where Q=the stored heat energy;
- ##EQU2## of solids in storage Vol. V.
A system for storing heat or cold in natural aquifers in the form of hot or cold water, comprising in combination:
- a first subsystem for heat or cold utilization disposed above ground-water level including a first set of conduits with circulating heat-transfer fluid;
- a second subsystem including a second set of conduits connected to means in heat-transfer relation with said first subsystem;
- said second subsystem including at one terminal a core well configuration extending substantially vertically down from ground level to an aquifer stratum disposed below said ground level, for storing hot or cold water, and connected at the other terminal to means for recharging into the ground at a point spaced apart from said core well configuration, water derived from said means in heat-transfer with said first subsystem;
- and
- means for at least partially controlling the hydraulic gradients surrounding said core well configuration.
A system for storing heat or cold in natural aquifers in the form of hot or cold water, comprising in combination:
- a first subsystem for heat or cold utilization disposed above ground-water level including a first set of conduits with circulating heat-transfer fluid;
- a second subsystem including a second set of conduits connected to means in heat-transfer relation with said first subsystem;
- said second subsystem including at one terminal a core well configuration extending substantially vertically down from ground level to an aquifer stratum disposed below said ground level, for storing hot or cold water, and connected at the other terminal to means for recharging into the ground at a point spaced apart from said core well configuration, water derived from said means in heat-transfer with said first subsystem;
- and
- means for at least partially controlling the thermal gradients surrounding said core well configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.