Geothermal energization of a non-combustion chemical reactor and associated systems and methods
AssigneeMcAlister Technologies, LLC
InventorRoy Edward McAlister
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims13
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.