US3782468A - Geothermal hot water recovery process and system - Google Patents

Geothermal hot water recovery process and system Download PDF

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US3782468A
US3782468A US00182054A US3782468DA US3782468A US 3782468 A US3782468 A US 3782468A US 00182054 A US00182054 A US 00182054A US 3782468D A US3782468D A US 3782468DA US 3782468 A US3782468 A US 3782468A
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hot water
well
casing
steam
gases
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English (en)
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J Kuwada
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ROGERS ENG CO Inc
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ROGERS ENG CO Inc
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24T—GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
    • F24T10/00—Geothermal collectors
    • F24T10/20—Geothermal collectors using underground water as working fluid; using working fluid injected directly into the ground, e.g. using injection wells and recovery wells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24T—GEOTHERMAL COLLECTORS; GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
    • F24T10/00—Geothermal collectors
    • F24T10/10—Geothermal collectors with circulation of working fluids through underground channels, the working fluids not coming into direct contact with the ground
    • F24T10/13—Geothermal collectors with circulation of working fluids through underground channels, the working fluids not coming into direct contact with the ground using tube assemblies suitable for insertion into boreholes in the ground, e.g. geothermal probes
    • F24T10/17—Geothermal collectors with circulation of working fluids through underground channels, the working fluids not coming into direct contact with the ground using tube assemblies suitable for insertion into boreholes in the ground, e.g. geothermal probes using tubes closed at one end, i.e. return-type tubes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F19/00—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/10—Geothermal energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S166/00—Wells
    • Y10S166/902—Wells for inhibiting corrosion or coating

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An improved process and system for recovering high temperature hot water from a geothermal supply.
  • a well casing assembly is sunk to position an apertured end portion of a casing in proximity to an underground hot water supply with an apertured end portion of a centrally disposed conduit within the casing adjacent the apertured casing end.
  • flashing of the hot water to steam occurs to elevate a two phase mixture of steam and hot water through the casing assembly.
  • Such flashing is accompanied by the evolution of substantially non-condensible gases, including carbon dioxide.
  • gases are separated with the steam from the elevated hot water, the latter being withdrawn from the system for its intended use, such as the generation of electric power.
  • the separated steam and gases are heat exchanged to condense the steam and to withdraw useful heat from the gases, following which the gases are compressed and recycled into contact with the underground hot water supply to assist in elevating additional hot water.
  • the carbon dioxide containing gases are effective in countering the problems normally created when geothermal hot water is allowed. to flash to steam, namely the formation of system clogging deposits, of which calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are typical, within the well and related apparatus.
  • the presence of carbon dioxide in the recycled gases during the steam flashing maintains chemical equilibrium in the system to prevent formation of such deposits.
  • recovery of a substantially constant stream of geothermal hot water from a deep underground well may be effected without attendant precipitation of clogging chemical compounds commonly encountered when geothermal hot water is elevated utilizing a steam flashing procedure.
  • This invention relates generally to the field of improved processes and systems for recovering hot water from geothermal supplies thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to the field of removing geother' mal hot water from underground supplies thereof without utilizing moving mechanical or other pumping devices within the well and without attendant chemical compound deposits being formed which would normally clog the well and related equipment.
  • this invention relates to the field of recovery of geothermal hot water by recycling substantially non-condensible gases into the system which have been obtained from the geothermal hot water supply itself.
  • This invention further relates to the field of recovering and recycling carbon dioxide containing gases obtained from a geothermal hot water supply, which gases are evolved in conjunction with the flashing of the hot water to steam, the presence of such gases when recycled into the system controlling the chemical equilibrium of the system to prevent formation of system clogging deposits which would normally be formed in the absence of such recycled carbon dioxide containing gases.
  • This invention additionally relates to the field of an apparatus system for recovering evolved gases in conjunction with flashing of a two phase steam-hot water mixture from a geothermal hot water supply and the separation of such gases for compression and recycling thereof into the system to assist in elevating additional hot water and to counteract the formation of system clogging chemical precipitants.
  • the present invention has the distinct advantage over known geothermal hot water recovery procedures and systems in that no moving mechanical or other type of pumping device is necessary within the well and substantially all the apparatus, except the well casing assembly itself, is located above ground. Also, recovery depth limitations encountered with prior known geothermal recovery procedures are obviated with the subject system.
  • the present invention relates to an improved process and system for recovering geothermal hot water from underground hot water supplies thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved process and system for recovering geothermal hot water for various uses, such as electric power production, by recycling gases in the system which have evolved from the geothermal hot water supply itself.
  • this invention relates to an improved process and system for effecting the flashing of geothermal hot water into a two phase mixture of steam and hot water and utilizing the same in conjunction with elevating the mixture through a well casing assembly, such steam flashing being accompanied by the evolution of substantially non-condensible gases which contain carbon dioxide.
  • This invention further relates to the recovery of such carbon dioxide containing gases and the recycling of the same into the geothermal system to assist in elevating additional quantities of steamhot water while at the same time preventing the formation of chemical compound deposits which normally accompany such steam flashing.
  • this invention relates to an improved process and system for recovering evolved carbon dioxide containing gases from a geothermal hot water supply during flashing of the hot water supply to a two phase mixture of steam and hot water and to separation of such gases for subsequent compression and reintroduction into the geothermal hot water recovery system.
  • This invention further relates to an improved and simplified process and system for recovering geothermal hot water without attendant chemical compound deposition problems heretofore encountered and without requiring moving mechanical pumping devices or like pumping devices within the well, thereby permitting recovery of geothermal hot water from well holes at depths heretofore not feasible.
  • mechanical pumping devices can be employed only with great difficulty, if at all, to recover geothermal hot water when the hot water being recovered is at very high temperatures and is found at very great depths below ground. Attempts to utilize mechanical or like pumping devices at such depths result in clogging of such pumping devices and related equipment which necessitate repeated shut-downs of the recovery system and the attendant electric power generation equipment supported thereby for cleaning and maintenance thereof.
  • objects of this invention include: the provision of an improved geothermal hot water recovery process and system; the provision of an improved apparatus combination in a geothermal hot water recovery system which requires no moving mechanical or like pumping devices within the well; the provision of an improved process for obtaining and recycling substantially noncondensible gases evolved from a geothermal hot water supply itself; and the provision of an improved and simplified process and system for compressing and recycling gases obtained during flashing of geothermal hot water to a two phase mixture of steam and hot water while at the same time countering the formation of system clogging chemical compound deposits which nor mally attend such steam flashing.
  • FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view of one preferred embodiment of the geothermal hot water recovery system of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a generally schematic view of a portion of another preferred embodiment of the subject system
  • FIG. 3 is a partially cut away view of the lower end portion of the well casing assembly illustrating details of construction thereof;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the conduit which forms part of the well casing assembly illustrating a preferred pattern of perforations therein which effectively permits recycled gases to exit therethrough;
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are graphs which illustrate various illustrative operating conditions for the subject system
  • FIG. 7 is a generally schematic view of a portion of another preferred embodiment of the subject system.
  • FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken in the plane of line 8-8 thereof.
  • this invention recognizes and solves the serious problems previously encountered in conjunction with geothermal hot water recovery, namely the formation of well clogging chemical deposits in conjunction with steam flashing and the counteracting of such chemical deposit formation in a fashion which insures long-term operation of a well without such clogging so that repeated shut-downs encounterable at short intervals with geothermal recovery procedures utilizing moving mechanical or like pumping devices within the well are obviated.
  • this invention relates specifically to the lifting or elevating of high temperature geothermal hot water out of deep underground supplies thereof by utilizing recycled carbon dioxide containing gases in a manner which prevents entirely, or minimizes within manageable limits, the precipitation of chemical compounds which normally cause fouling or plugging of the well casing assembly, associated conduit structure, and related processing equipment installed to utilize the geothermal hot water in conjunction with the generation of electric power or like procedures.
  • geothermal hot water energy in the form of steam or hot water for the generation of electric power and the recovery of desalinized water and the valuable minerals normally contained therein. From exploratory investigations of geothermal active areas throughout much of the world, it has been determined that the predominant form of geothermal energy exists as high temperature hot water, rather than as steam. This invention is directed primarily to the recovery of underground supplies of such hot water, rather than the recovery of underground steam.
  • reaction 2 establishes that the evolution of CO containing gas shifts the equilibrium of the geothermal system to the right, thereby promoting the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO in the manner indicated by reaction 3.
  • the high temperature of the geothermal hot water further enhances the hydrolysis of carbonates according to reaction 4. Additionally, therefore, depending upon the temperature of the geothermal water supply, and the magnesium content of the water, magnesium hydroxide [Mg (Oi-1),] formed according to reaction 5.
  • the principal objective of this invention is based upon recognition that such chemical precipitants can be counteracted in conjunction with the withdrawal of large quantities of geothermal hot water utilizing a steam flashing procedure without permitting the shift in equilibrium which causes such precipitation.
  • the present invention is based on turning a serious disadvantage heretofore encountered with geothermal well procedures into a workable advantage, namely utilizing effectively the carbon dioxide containing gases evolved in conjunction with steam flashing of geothermal hot water as a steam hot water column is elevated in a well casing.
  • the present invention is not restricted by the mechanical problems encountered in conjunction with utilization of pumping devices inserted within a well, nor by the precipitation problems of chemical compounds which heretofore normally resulted from steam flashing.
  • the geothermal hot water recovery system is generally designated 1 and comprises a well casing assembly generally designated 2 which is positioned a suitable depth in the ground 3 by any suitable drilling technique of any known type.
  • the well casing assembly comprises an outer pipe or well casing 4 and an inner pipe or conduit 6 positioned within the casing and surrounded thereby so that an open annular space 7 exists between the casing and the conduit.
  • the well casing assembly is sunk into a hole 5 drilled into the ground to a depth sufficient to position an apertured lower end 8 of the casing; 4 in proximity to an underground supply of geothermal hot water, generally designated 9, so that such hot water may enter the apertured end of the casing during the water recovery procedure.
  • the apertured casing end 8 preferably is defined by a socalled well screen" of the type commonly utilized in conjunction with underground fluid deposit recovery procedures.
  • Such a well screen is generally designated 11 and is formed by a series of adjacent convolutions of suitable metal wire or cable wound around a supporting longitudinal skeletal framework (not shown).
  • Such convolutions may be formed from any suitable material, such as stainless steel, galvanized low carbon steel, Monel, galvanized iron, or the like in a manner and by procedures well known in the well drilling industry.
  • each of such convolutions is formed with a generally triangular cross-section so that the screen defines a series of narrow slots extending around the periphery of the well casing.
  • slots are open and unrestricted to an increasing degree internally of the well screen to facilitate entry of liquid therethrough and to make more difficult the clogging thereof, in known fashion.
  • the lower end of the casing 4 is closed off by a suitable plug 12 in known fashion so that hot water entering the casing passes through the slots formed in the well screen section 11 thereof.
  • the conduit 6 contained within casing 4 is formed with a perforated section 13 for a predetermined portion of its length which, as will be described hereinafter more fully, is formed to extend longitudinally a predetermined distance along the length of the conduit starting at a predetermined point spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof.
  • an imperforate section 14 separates the perforated section 13 from the open lower end .15 of the conduit, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 3.
  • the casing assembly may be sunk to substantial depths of 3,000 feet or more before a suitable geothermal hot water supply 9 is encountered. Because no pumping device is required within the well casing assembly, a well casing of much smaller diameter is usable than would be usable if a pumping device were to be inserted therein, thereby minimizing drilling and attendant costs.
  • the subject system is designed to recover carbon dioxide containing gases evolved from the hot water during steam flashing thereof and to recirculate the same into the well casing assembly.
  • recirculation is effected through the annular space 7 surrounding the conduit 6.
  • that embodiment of the invention although illustrated and discussed first herein, should not be considered of greater importance than the other embodimentshereinafter described.
  • this invention utilizes the procedure of pressure reduction at the well head to effect steam flashing, and to utilize such steam flashing in a manner which turns the heretofore detrimental effects thereof into favorable operation conditions.
  • the well is capped in any known fashion, such as by a conventional cap structure 14 positioned thereover.
  • a fitting for a conduit 16 used in recycling gases into the system through the well casing assembly as will be described.
  • Another conduit 17, separated from the well head by a blocking valve I8, is provided for operatively connecting the casing assembly with a conventional flash tank 19 located adjacent the well head.
  • the function of the flash tank is to create pressure reduction at the well head in known fashion to effect flashing of steam in the geothermal water supply which results inof recycled gases surrounding conduit 6 and passing downwardly therearound. Such gases will enter conduit 6 through the perforated section 13 thereof and will bubble upwardly through the conduit with the steamhot water mixture to assist in lifting thereof.
  • the geothermal hot water-steam mixture is separated into steam plus the noncondensible carbon dioxide containing gases which are evolved in conjunction with the flashing procedure, and hot water.
  • the separated hot water is removed from the flash tank in known fashion through a suitable conduit 21 and is transferred by a pumping device 22 into another conduit 23 for removal for use in the generation of electric power or other known uses in known fashion.
  • a drain conduit 24 is provided in conjunction with the flash tank for the obvious purpose.
  • a series of blocking valves 18 corresponding to the previously mentioned valve 18 are provided at required locations for the well known purpose.
  • check valves 25 may be positioned within the system at required locations, as noted in FIG. 1. The construction of such valves is conventional.
  • the steam and gases are transferred from the flash tank through conduit 26 into a conventional heat exchanger unit 27 in which the steam is condensed and the useful heat is extracted from the noncondensible evolved gases to extract the useful heat therefrom while effecting cooling of such gases.
  • the steam condensate and cooled gases are then passed through another conduit 28 into a conventional compressor suction knock-out drum 29 of known construction. In drum 29, the steam condensate is separated from the evolved gases and is removed through a con duit 31 for disposition in any suitable fashion.
  • the separated evolved gases are then introduced through a conduit 32, provided with a pressure vent 33 for control purposes, into a conventional compressor unit 34 of known construction, In the compressor 34, which is operated by an electric motor 36 in known fashion, the gases are compressed prior to recycling the same back into the system.
  • the aforementioned conduit 16 is connected with the discharge end of the compressor and receives compressed gases therefrom and introduces the same back into the well casing assembly as seen in FIG. 1.
  • the recycled compressed gas flow rate is determined in accordance with maintaining partial pressure on the carbon dioxide containing gases in the flash tank 19 at the level which is required to suppress chemical precipitation in accordance with known pressure criteria.
  • the flash tank operating pressure is selected and adjusted to permit a predetermined amount of steam flashing to occur in the conduit 6 of the well casing assembly. This is done to create additional gas lift volume, thereby reducing the horsepower requirements of the gas compressor 34 for introducing recycled gases into the system.
  • steam flashing is utilized as the primary motive power of the hot water elevating system to thereby reduce horsepower requirements of the gas compressor which would obviously be higher if all the lifting force were provided by utilizing recycled gases, Thus, system operating costs are minimized.
  • the total volume of lifting gas which includes recycled carbon dioxide containing gases and flashed steam, is predicated upon the volume which is required to prevent unstable or sluggish flow of the two phase mixture of steam and hot water rising inconduit 6, as well as to maintain the desired temperature of geothermal hot water being recovered.
  • the specific quantities and values for a given geothermal well will have to be determined on an individual basis, taking into consideration such factors as well depth, water temperature and composition, the relative diameters of the conduit 6 and casing 4, well productivity and draw down, submergence, and like factors, all of which are within the knowledge of a competent well engineer, and all of which can be evaluated by such an engineer to develop the necessary gas flow volume, pressure and related criteria necessary to effectively operate a given system.
  • the system can be initially gas-filled by allowing initial quantities of the hot water to be lifted by steam flashing only, pursuant to well head pressure reduction.
  • steam flashing will result in the evolution of non-condensible gases including carbon dioxide in the manner noted previously.
  • Any precipitants formed can be removed from the flash tank 19 to prevent contamination thereby of the pump 22 and other equipment positioned downstream of the flash tank.
  • further precipitation is completely eliminated, or maintained within nondetrimental manageable limits which will not result in clogging of the system or rendering the same inoperative.
  • the flash tank pressure can be gradually increased as the CO carrying gases evolve to replace steam in the system to the appropriate ratio which satisfies both the carbon dioxide partial pressure and gas lifting requirements of the system. That is, by recyclingthe carbon dioxide containing gases evolved and recovered from the geothermal hot water supply, carbon dioxide partial pressure can be maintained on the geothermal hot water supply so that it will suppress further evolution of carbon dioxide gas when such water flashes to steam during saturation of the recycled gases.
  • flashing steam acts as the principal lifting gas for elevating thermal hot water
  • carbon dioxide containing recycled gases act primarily as a chemical anti-precipitant.
  • liquid lifting is done entirely by the lifting gas introduced into the system which requires substantially greater volume of gas and more horsepower to compress and introduce the same into the system. Additionally, in such prior known arrangements, the lifting gases are not evolved directly from the product to be recovered from the ground as in the present invention.
  • the required amounts of recycled gases can be determined for a particular well by measuring the. noncondensible gas evolution at the well head flash drum at various operation drum pressures. This determination can be made at the time of well drilling, development and flow testing in known fashion. More than the minimum required gas flow may prove desirable, based on criteria such as the particular well casing diameter, depth and quantity of water available, and water recovery temperature desired.
  • FIG. 5 a graph showing water flow versus recycled gas flow is illustrated in FIG. 5 which shows variable combinations of gas flow rates and water flow rates for a well operated at'varying recycle gas pressures.
  • Curves A, B, C and D shown therein represent illustrative wellhead pressures-at "the wellhead separator flash tank 19 of PSIA, PSIA, 78 PSIA and 80 PSIA, respectively.
  • water flow into the well casing assembly at the apertured bottom end 8 of casing 4 may be determined in accordance with the operating pressure level at the wellhead.
  • the best combination of gas flow pressure, and hot water flow may be determined for a given well.
  • a substantially continuous flow of thermal hot water may be recovered from an underground supply thereof in conjunction with the recycling of evolved and subsequently compressed carbon dioxide containing gases from the thermal hot water supply itself.
  • FIG. 2 shows another highly effective system arrangement in which the recycled gases are introduced through the central conduit 6 with the thermal hot water being elevated through the annular space 7 between the casing 4 and the conduit 6 as seen.
  • This alternate embodiment functions fully as effectively and in the same basic fashion as described previously and the principal distinction therebetween and the FIG. 1 embodiment resides in the direction of flow of the recycled gases and of the flashed steam-water mixture. That is, the flow paths of the recycled gases and hot water are reversed relative to each other in the embodiments of FIGS. 1' and 2.
  • the perforated gas distributor section 13 should be designed to insure unobstructed water flow into the well casing assembly. It also should be designed so that the system will not become clogged due to dirt or scale passing into contact with the perforations formed in conduit 6.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 An example of a gas distributor conduit which satisfies the noted criteria is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • reference is directed to the perforate gas distributor section being formed in the conduit 6, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the reversal thereof may also be employed with the water being intended to enter the conduit 6 with the gases passing through the space 7 surrounding the conduit'in the manner described previously with respect to FIG. I. v
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 A particular perforated gas distributor section 13 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and reference is directed thereto for an understanding of the principles discussed. It should be understood that such perforated section shown is intended to be illustrative of one embodiment thereof and that modifications to meet particular needs may be developed in line with the disclosures contained herein.
  • the perforated conduit section 13 is formed with a series of generally circular holes or openings 41 arranged in a preferred pattern.
  • Such openings preferably are arranged in a three row pattern having a triangular arrangement or pitch between adjacent openings as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. That is, the openings are oriented in parallel rows about the periphery of conduit 6 with the openings in one row being offset and centered between the openings of an adjacent row.
  • the openings in alternate rows are longitudinally aligned with each other, as seen in FIG. 4.
  • the spacing (D--FIG. 4) between adjacent openings of adjacent rows is determined by the gas flow desired through an individual opening.
  • the gas flow per opening is determined by the following standard equation for gas flow through a given orifice:
  • liquid static seal preferred for a given installation is 2Ah.
  • the above consideration may be utilized to determine center to center spacing of the openings 41 as follows, assuming a recycled gas flow of 2,000 pounds per hour utilizing ,4; inch diameter (d) round openings as noted previously.
  • the number of openings required per each three rows of openings at the exemplary flow rate noted is 2000 pounds/hour/l9.5/pounds/hour/opening 102 openings. Therefore, in each three row section of openings, 102/3 or 34 openings per row are required.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 A third embodiment of this system is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the basic operational features and functions described herein previously are applicable and corresponding reference numerals for corresponding components of the system are utilized.
  • conduit 6 positioned within cas ing 4 is imperforate for its length and is not axially arranged (note FIG. 8) as was true in the prior embodiments. That is, conduit 6 is laterally offset relative to the axis of casing 4 to provide room for a separate gas recycle pipe 42 which extends longitudinally through the well casing assembly to carry recycled gases from the compressor 34 through conduit 16 to the lower end of the well casing assembly for bubbling upwardly through the conduit 6 with steam-hot water mixture rising into such conduit through its open end 15.
  • recycle pipe 42 is curved to enter an opening provided in the wall of conduit 6 and to direct recycled gases upwardly through the conduit for the purpose explained previously.
  • the end of recycle pipe 42 terminates in an orifice 43 which may or may not have a nozzle configuration or construction, as required. .Thus, the recycled gases pass through the annular space surrounding conduit 6 but are retained during such passage within the confines of pipe 42.
  • a process of obtaining high temperature geothermal hot water, such as hot water at a temperature of above 300F., as opposed to oil and like minerals, from a deep underground well without utilizing a moving mechanical or other pumping device within said well and without requiring gas-lift techniques comprising A. positioning a well casing assembly, comprising a well casing and a conduit within said casing, in the ground to a depth sufficient to position an apertured end portion of said casing in proximity to an underground hot water supply and with an apertured end portion of said conduit adjacent said casing end portion,

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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US00182054A 1971-09-20 1971-09-20 Geothermal hot water recovery process and system Expired - Lifetime US3782468A (en)

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Cited By (41)

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US3958635A (en) * 1975-09-26 1976-05-25 Union Oil Company Of California Method of inhibiting scale for high temperature steam wells
US4017120A (en) * 1975-11-28 1977-04-12 The Dow Chemical Company Production of hot brines from liquid-dominated geothermal wells by gas-lifting
US4044830A (en) * 1973-07-02 1977-08-30 Huisen Allen T Van Multiple-completion geothermal energy production systems
US4057108A (en) * 1976-11-19 1977-11-08 Shell Oil Company Completing wells in deep reservoirs containing fluids that are hot and corrosive
US4059156A (en) * 1976-04-29 1977-11-22 Berg Clyde H Geothermal brine production
US4131161A (en) * 1977-08-25 1978-12-26 Phillips Petroleum Company Recovery of dry steam from geothermal brine
US4243102A (en) * 1979-01-29 1981-01-06 Elfarr Johnnie A Method and apparatus for flowing fluid from a plurality of interconnected wells
US4244190A (en) * 1978-10-23 1981-01-13 Union Oil Company Of California Process for integrating treatment of and energy derivation from geothermal brine
US4262747A (en) * 1979-02-26 1981-04-21 Elliott Guy R B In situ recovery of gaseous hydrocarbons and steam
US4268283A (en) * 1979-12-31 1981-05-19 W-K-M Wellhead Systems, Inc. Fluid control means for geothermal wells
US4302328A (en) * 1978-09-25 1981-11-24 Envirotech Corporation Geothermal brine treatment
US4319895A (en) * 1979-02-08 1982-03-16 Nalco Chemical Company Optimizing the quality of steam from geothermal fluids
US4375153A (en) * 1981-03-26 1983-03-01 Wahl Iii Edward F Process and apparatus for control of two-phase flow to geothermal power plants
US4376462A (en) * 1981-02-19 1983-03-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
US4377208A (en) * 1980-11-28 1983-03-22 Elliott Guy R B Recovery of natural gas from deep brines
US4392532A (en) * 1979-03-05 1983-07-12 Raggio Ivan J Minimum temperature correction method for locating and setting gas-lift valves
JPS59116774U (ja) * 1983-12-22 1984-08-07 三井造船株式会社 地熱水利用発電装置における蒸気取出し装置
US4476930A (en) * 1982-08-23 1984-10-16 Union Oil Company Of California Inhibition of scale deposition from steam generation fluids
US4533526A (en) * 1981-12-21 1985-08-06 Institut Francais Du Petrole Process for recovering polymetal compounds discharged from a submarine hydrothermal source and devices for carrying out the same
US4563283A (en) * 1984-02-15 1986-01-07 Phoenix Project Partnership Process for clarifying bicarbonate bearing waters using measurement and control of carbon dioxide content
FR2584771A1 (fr) * 1985-07-10 1987-01-16 Rech Geolog Miniere Procede et installation pour l'activation de puits geothermiques
US4670157A (en) * 1984-02-15 1987-06-02 The Phoenix Project Partnership Process for clarifying bicarbonate bearing water using measurement and control of carbon dioxide content
EP0236640A1 (en) * 1985-12-03 1987-09-16 Japan Oil Engineering Company Ltd. Method and apparatus for extracting geothermal fluid
US4741398A (en) * 1986-12-30 1988-05-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Hydraulic accumulator-compressor for geopressured enhanced oil recovery
US4763479A (en) * 1986-12-29 1988-08-16 Union Oil Co. Of California Method for the production of useable steam and non-toxic solids from geothermal brine
DE3704935A1 (de) * 1987-02-17 1988-08-25 Klein Schanzlin & Becker Ag Verfahren und einrichtungen zur nutzung der in einem thermalbrunnen enthaltenen erdwaerme
US4787450A (en) * 1987-05-07 1988-11-29 Union Oil Company Of California Gas lift process for restoring flow in depleted geothermal reservoirs
US5143150A (en) * 1992-02-10 1992-09-01 Johnston James M Geothermal heat converter
US5190108A (en) * 1991-08-19 1993-03-02 Layne-Western Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for inhibiting biological fouling of water wells
JP2003083494A (ja) * 2001-09-07 2003-03-19 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd ガスハイドレート搬送装置
US20040035110A1 (en) * 2000-10-20 2004-02-26 Hans Hildebrand Method and system for exchanging earth energy between earthly bodies and an energy exchanger, especially to produce an electric current
US7717181B2 (en) 2007-01-09 2010-05-18 Terry Bullen Artificial lift system
US20100300701A1 (en) * 2007-01-09 2010-12-02 Terry Bullen Artificial lift system
US20110100003A1 (en) * 2009-11-03 2011-05-05 Mcleod Todd System and method to reduce the temperature of geothermal water to increase the capacity and efficiency while decreasing the costs associated with a geothermal power plant construction
US20120117967A1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2012-05-17 InnerGeo LLC System and method for extracting energy
EP2339113A3 (de) * 2009-12-22 2013-11-06 Anger's Söhne Bohr-und Brunnenbaugesellschaft mbH Airliftverfahren mit feinperligem Auftriebsstrom
US8650875B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-02-18 Dwpna, Llc Direct exchange geothermal refrigerant power advanced generating system
ES2532512A1 (es) * 2013-09-27 2015-03-27 Aprovechamientos Energéticos Jg S.L. Central eléctrica geotérmica con geiseres artificiales
US9394771B2 (en) 2012-01-27 2016-07-19 Deep Well Power, LLC Single well, self-flowing, geothermal system for energy extraction
US20160363350A1 (en) * 2015-02-16 2016-12-15 Est. Inc. Boiling-water geothermal heat exchanger and boiling-water geothermal power generation equipment

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US4364232A (en) * 1979-12-03 1982-12-21 Itzhak Sheinbaum Flowing geothermal wells and heat recovery systems

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Cited By (49)

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US4044830A (en) * 1973-07-02 1977-08-30 Huisen Allen T Van Multiple-completion geothermal energy production systems
US3873238A (en) * 1973-09-19 1975-03-25 Johnnie A Elfarr Method and apparatus for flowing crude oil from a well
US3958635A (en) * 1975-09-26 1976-05-25 Union Oil Company Of California Method of inhibiting scale for high temperature steam wells
US4017120A (en) * 1975-11-28 1977-04-12 The Dow Chemical Company Production of hot brines from liquid-dominated geothermal wells by gas-lifting
US4059156A (en) * 1976-04-29 1977-11-22 Berg Clyde H Geothermal brine production
US4057108A (en) * 1976-11-19 1977-11-08 Shell Oil Company Completing wells in deep reservoirs containing fluids that are hot and corrosive
US4131161A (en) * 1977-08-25 1978-12-26 Phillips Petroleum Company Recovery of dry steam from geothermal brine
US4302328A (en) * 1978-09-25 1981-11-24 Envirotech Corporation Geothermal brine treatment
US4244190A (en) * 1978-10-23 1981-01-13 Union Oil Company Of California Process for integrating treatment of and energy derivation from geothermal brine
US4420938A (en) * 1978-10-23 1983-12-20 Union Oil Company Of California Geothermal power plant
US4243102A (en) * 1979-01-29 1981-01-06 Elfarr Johnnie A Method and apparatus for flowing fluid from a plurality of interconnected wells
US4319895A (en) * 1979-02-08 1982-03-16 Nalco Chemical Company Optimizing the quality of steam from geothermal fluids
US4262747A (en) * 1979-02-26 1981-04-21 Elliott Guy R B In situ recovery of gaseous hydrocarbons and steam
US4392532A (en) * 1979-03-05 1983-07-12 Raggio Ivan J Minimum temperature correction method for locating and setting gas-lift valves
US4268283A (en) * 1979-12-31 1981-05-19 W-K-M Wellhead Systems, Inc. Fluid control means for geothermal wells
US4377208A (en) * 1980-11-28 1983-03-22 Elliott Guy R B Recovery of natural gas from deep brines
US4376462A (en) * 1981-02-19 1983-03-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
US4375153A (en) * 1981-03-26 1983-03-01 Wahl Iii Edward F Process and apparatus for control of two-phase flow to geothermal power plants
US4533526A (en) * 1981-12-21 1985-08-06 Institut Francais Du Petrole Process for recovering polymetal compounds discharged from a submarine hydrothermal source and devices for carrying out the same
US4476930A (en) * 1982-08-23 1984-10-16 Union Oil Company Of California Inhibition of scale deposition from steam generation fluids
JPS59116774U (ja) * 1983-12-22 1984-08-07 三井造船株式会社 地熱水利用発電装置における蒸気取出し装置
JPS6310446Y2 (ja) * 1983-12-22 1988-03-28
US4563283A (en) * 1984-02-15 1986-01-07 Phoenix Project Partnership Process for clarifying bicarbonate bearing waters using measurement and control of carbon dioxide content
US4670157A (en) * 1984-02-15 1987-06-02 The Phoenix Project Partnership Process for clarifying bicarbonate bearing water using measurement and control of carbon dioxide content
FR2584771A1 (fr) * 1985-07-10 1987-01-16 Rech Geolog Miniere Procede et installation pour l'activation de puits geothermiques
EP0236640A1 (en) * 1985-12-03 1987-09-16 Japan Oil Engineering Company Ltd. Method and apparatus for extracting geothermal fluid
US4763479A (en) * 1986-12-29 1988-08-16 Union Oil Co. Of California Method for the production of useable steam and non-toxic solids from geothermal brine
US4869066A (en) * 1986-12-29 1989-09-26 Union Oil Company Of California Method for the production of usable steam and non-toxic solids from geothermal brine
US4741398A (en) * 1986-12-30 1988-05-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Hydraulic accumulator-compressor for geopressured enhanced oil recovery
DE3704935A1 (de) * 1987-02-17 1988-08-25 Klein Schanzlin & Becker Ag Verfahren und einrichtungen zur nutzung der in einem thermalbrunnen enthaltenen erdwaerme
US4787450A (en) * 1987-05-07 1988-11-29 Union Oil Company Of California Gas lift process for restoring flow in depleted geothermal reservoirs
US5190108A (en) * 1991-08-19 1993-03-02 Layne-Western Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for inhibiting biological fouling of water wells
US5143150A (en) * 1992-02-10 1992-09-01 Johnston James M Geothermal heat converter
US20040035110A1 (en) * 2000-10-20 2004-02-26 Hans Hildebrand Method and system for exchanging earth energy between earthly bodies and an energy exchanger, especially to produce an electric current
US7059131B2 (en) * 2000-10-20 2006-06-13 Hita Ag Method and system for exchanging earth energy between earthly bodies and an energy exchanger, especially to produce an electric current
JP2003083494A (ja) * 2001-09-07 2003-03-19 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd ガスハイドレート搬送装置
US7717181B2 (en) 2007-01-09 2010-05-18 Terry Bullen Artificial lift system
US20100300701A1 (en) * 2007-01-09 2010-12-02 Terry Bullen Artificial lift system
US8261838B2 (en) 2007-01-09 2012-09-11 Terry Bullen Artificial lift system
US20110100003A1 (en) * 2009-11-03 2011-05-05 Mcleod Todd System and method to reduce the temperature of geothermal water to increase the capacity and efficiency while decreasing the costs associated with a geothermal power plant construction
EP2339113A3 (de) * 2009-12-22 2013-11-06 Anger's Söhne Bohr-und Brunnenbaugesellschaft mbH Airliftverfahren mit feinperligem Auftriebsstrom
US20120117967A1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2012-05-17 InnerGeo LLC System and method for extracting energy
US8991488B2 (en) * 2010-11-16 2015-03-31 InnerGeo LLC System and method for extracting energy
US9708885B2 (en) 2010-11-16 2017-07-18 InnerGeo LLC System and method for extracting energy
US8650875B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-02-18 Dwpna, Llc Direct exchange geothermal refrigerant power advanced generating system
US9394771B2 (en) 2012-01-27 2016-07-19 Deep Well Power, LLC Single well, self-flowing, geothermal system for energy extraction
ES2532512A1 (es) * 2013-09-27 2015-03-27 Aprovechamientos Energéticos Jg S.L. Central eléctrica geotérmica con geiseres artificiales
US20160363350A1 (en) * 2015-02-16 2016-12-15 Est. Inc. Boiling-water geothermal heat exchanger and boiling-water geothermal power generation equipment
US10060652B2 (en) * 2015-02-16 2018-08-28 Kyoei Denki Kogyo Corporation Boiling-water geothermal heat exchanger and boiling-water geothermal power generation equipment

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TR17140A (tr) 1974-04-25
JPS542882B2 (ja) 1979-02-15
JPS4838807A (ja) 1973-06-07

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