WO2024091187A1 - A method and a device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe - Google Patents
A method and a device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe Download PDFInfo
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- WO2024091187A1 WO2024091187A1 PCT/SI2023/050016 SI2023050016W WO2024091187A1 WO 2024091187 A1 WO2024091187 A1 WO 2024091187A1 SI 2023050016 W SI2023050016 W SI 2023050016W WO 2024091187 A1 WO2024091187 A1 WO 2024091187A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- geothermal
- heat pipe
- working fluid
- condenser
- vapour
- Prior art date
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 63
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 142
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 55
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 17
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006200 vaporizer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005493 condensed matter Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/02—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers
- F22B1/16—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being hot liquid or hot vapour, e.g. waste liquid, waste vapour
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K7/00—Steam engine plants characterised by the use of specific types of engine; Plants or engines characterised by their use of special steam systems, cycles or processes; Control means specially adapted for such systems, cycles or processes; Use of withdrawn or exhaust steam for feed-water heating
- F01K7/10—Steam engine plants characterised by the use of specific types of engine; Plants or engines characterised by their use of special steam systems, cycles or processes; Control means specially adapted for such systems, cycles or processes; Use of withdrawn or exhaust steam for feed-water heating characterised by the engine exhaust pressure
- F01K7/12—Steam engine plants characterised by the use of specific types of engine; Plants or engines characterised by their use of special steam systems, cycles or processes; Control means specially adapted for such systems, cycles or processes; Use of withdrawn or exhaust steam for feed-water heating characterised by the engine exhaust pressure of condensing type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K9/00—Plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines
- F01K9/003—Plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines condenser cooling circuits
Abstract
The method and the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) according to the invention allows use of thermal energy of subterranean rock for production of heat and/or electric energy. Geothermal energy of subterranean layers of rock is exploited with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) so that liquid working fluid is lead into the pipe for vaporization due to the geothermal potential of subterranean rock and the generated vapour is led to the surface. According to a first embodiment the working fluid vapour are used for combined production of heat and/or electric energy. According to a second embodiment, working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface are used for production of electric energy. According to a third embodiment the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface are used for production of heat and to a lesser extent for production of electric energy by the optional variable phase turbine (20).
Description
A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR PRODUCTION OF HEAT AND/OR ELECTRIC ENERGY WITH A GEOTHERMAL GRAVITATIONAL HEAT PIPE
Field of the invention
The present invention belongs to the field of devices and methods for exploitation of Earth's geothermal energy. The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, which enables exploitation of the Earth's geothermal potential.
Background of the invention and the technical problem
Heat and/or electric energy production using geothermal energy is hampered due to too small temperature gradient or flow of geothermal water, presence of gases and dissolved matter in the geothermal water, low porosity of geological layers, costs for implementing re-injection holes, and similar. Due to mentioned problems, more convenient use of geothermal potential is direct use of Earth's geothermal heat with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe. The technical problem, which is solved by the present invention, is thus design of a method and a device that will allow production of heat of a heating system and/or production of electric energy by exploiting geothermal energy produced by the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
Prior art
International register of patents and patent applications lists few similar solutions, however, none of these relate to exploitation of saturated vapours of a working fluid produced with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. Patent SI23618A describes an embodiment of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, but does not disclose a procedure to produce heat or electric energy with the said pipe. Patent US6895740B2 describes production of electric energy with ammonia as the working fluid, which is vaporized in a boiler, wherein the heated ammonia vapours are led to a turbine. This process differs from the present invention in that overheated
ammonia vapours are produced in the boiler and are then led to an axial turbine. Patent application US3436912A describes production of electric energy by supplying overheated ammonia vapour into a sequence of axial turbines installed in succession, which significantly differs from the present invention. Patent application US20040139747A1 describes a combined cycle of a gas turbine and a steam turbine with ammonia as the working fluid, which is also significantly different from the present invention. Patent US9540958B2 discloses an ORC cycle with a single-stage steam turbine with a radial outflow, wherein for generation of vapour of working fluid led into the turbine a vaporizer is used, and wherein after condensation of the working fluid in a condenser the condensed matter is returned into the vaporizer using a pump, which also differs from the invention.
Description of the solution to the technical problem
The geothermal gravitational heat pipe enables use of the geothermal temperature potential of the Earth's depths so that a liquid working fluid is led to a geothermal hole, where due to the heat in the hole the working fluid vaporizes, and the created vapours of the working fluid are let to the surface.
For production of heat, the saturated vapours of working fluid are led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface into a condenser, where the vapours condense and heat water of a heating system of a heat user, wherein the condensate is via a regulation valve let back into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
In cases in which production of electric energy is required, the saturated vapours of the working fluid are led into a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow, which is driven by an electric generator, wherein the vapours of working fluid exiting the turbine are led into a condenser, wherein they condense using an external cooling system.
In case of combined production of heat and/or electric energy, the working fluid vapours led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe are led into a condenser, where a part of working fluid vapours condense for heat production, while the remaining part of the working fluid vapours are separated and led to a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow and then to a condenser, where they condense using an external cooling system. The condensate obtained by the separation of mixture of vapours and condensate of working fluid in the separator, are led into a variable phase turbine, wherein it is partly vaporized. The obtained mixture of vapour
and condensate is then led to a condenser with an external cooling system. In the condenser with the external cooling the generated condensate of working fluid is returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe based on gravitation.
The invention allows efficient use of renewable sources of geothermal energy and reduces environmental burden.
The method according to the invention uses thermal energy of underground (subterranean) rock by leading liquid working fluid into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein said liquid working fluid vaporizes due to the geothermal potential of rock and the generated vapours are led onto the surface where heat and/or electric energy is produced. The suitable working fluid is selected based on the geothermal potential of rock and the depth of the geothermal hole. For holes with smaller geothermal potential the most suitable working fluid is ammonia, while in cases of very deep holes with larger geothermal potential a possible working fluid is water.
The method according to the first possible embodiment enables production of heat and/or electric energy, wherein the saturated vapours of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface and to the condenser, where they entirely or partly condense for production of heat. A mixture of saturated vapours and/or liquid of the working fluid are led from the condenser to a separator for separating vapours from liquid. The separated liquid is from the separator led into a variable phase turbine (VPT), in which the liquid working fluid partly vaporizes due to energy emission for production of electric energy. The mixture of vapour and liquid leaving the variable phase turbine is led to a condenser, where the vapours of working fluid are cooled and condense. The cooling medium for the condenser is supplied from an external cooling system. The cooled condensate leaving the condenser is via a reducing valve returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. For regulating pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe the system is provided with a reservoir with working fluid, wherein in case of too high pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, the condensate or liquid working fluid is supplied from the condenser with external cooling system to the reservoir, and in case of too low pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, an additional amount of liquid working fluid is supplied from the reservoir into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. In case only a part of saturated vapour of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe condenses in
the condenser, the saturated vapours of the working fluid are separated from the liquid in the separator, followed by leading the saturated vapour of working fluid via the reducing valve and the separator for elimination of possible liquid in the working fluid vapour to a single-stage turbine with radial outlet, in which the vapour partly condense due to energy emission for production of electric energy. The mixture of vapour and fluid of working fluid from the single- stage turbine with radial outflow are led to the condenser with an external cooling system, where the mixture is condensed, so as to be returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe via the reducing valve.
In order to establish a stationary operational state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a pipe connection is used to connect the piping for leading saturated vapour from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the condenser with the external cooling system, in which the saturated vapour of the working fluid condense and the generated liquid of the working fluid are returned via the reducing valve to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. In this case the valves for leading vapour into the condenser for production of heat as well as valves on the inlet and outlet side of both turbines are closed. For removing non-condensable gases from the condenser, reservoir of the working fluid and the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a piping system is used for removing the collected non-condensable gases from the system, if necessary.
The method according to a second possible embodiment allowing production of electric energy is performed as follows: saturated vapours of working fluid are led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, through a reducing valve into the separator, where from the saturated vapours possible liquid is separated, and then to a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow. The mixture of vapour and liquid leaving the single-stage turbine with radial outflow is led to the condenser, where the working fluid vapours condense. The cooling medium used for operation of the condenser is led from an external cooling system. The cooled condensate leaving the condenser is then through a reducing valve returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. For regulating pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe the system is provided with a reservoir with working fluid, wherein in case of too high pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, the condensate or liquid working fluid is supplied from the condenser with external cooling system to the reservoir, and in case of too low pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, an
additional amount of liquid working fluid is supplied from the reservoir into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
In order to establish a stationary operational state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a pipe connection is used to connect the piping for leading saturated vapour from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the condenser with the external cooling system, in which the saturated vapour of the working fluid condense and the generated liquid of the working fluid are returned via the reducing valve to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. In this case the valves on the inlet and outlet side of the single-stage turbine with radial outflow are closed. For removing non-condensable gases from the condenser, reservoir of the working fluid and the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a piping system is used for removing the collected non-condensable gases from the system, if necessary.
The method according to a third possible embodiment allows production of heat. Vapour of working fluid led to the surface from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe are saturated vapours, which are according to the third embodiment led to a condenser, where by condensing the working fluid vapours water or a mixture of water and glycol is heated for the heat user needs. The condensate cooled to a critical temperature leaves the condenser and is let to a variable phase turbine, inside which due to the drop in pressure the condensate partly vaporizes. Then, the working fluid mixture is led to a second condenser with an external cooling system, inside which the remaining vapours of the working fluid condense and the formed condensate is led via a reducing valve back to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. For regulating pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe the system is provided with a reservoir with working fluid, wherein in case of too high pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, the condensate or liquid working fluid is supplied from the condenser with external cooling system to the reservoir, and in case of too low pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, an additional amount of liquid working fluid is supplied from the reservoir into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. For removing non-condensable gases from the condenser, reservoir of the working fluid and the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a piping system is used for removing the collected non- condensable gases from the system, if necessary.
The present invention will be described in further detail based on exemplary embodiments and figures, which show:
Figure 1 a process scheme of the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe according to a first embodiment
Figure 2 a process scheme of the device for production of electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe according to a second embodiment
Figure 3 a process scheme of the device for production of heat with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe and use of energy of the condensate flow for production of electric energy according to a third embodiment
Figure 1 shows a process scheme of the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. The device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, as shown in figure 1, comprises:
- a geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 installed in a geothermal pipe, wherein the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 for use of the geothermal potential of rock, is on the surface provided with stop valves 2 and 3, installed each at its own line (piping),
- a reservoir 4 filled with water, into which non-condensable gases from the above-terranean and sub-terranean system are occasionally led via stop valves 32, 33 and 34, and a system of pipes 24, 28 and 31,
- a condenser 10 for producing heat for a user 9, into which saturated vapour of working fluid are led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via stop valves 3, 5 and 6, wherein the formed mixture of saturated vapour and liquid of the working fluid is led to a separator 11,
- the separator 11 from which the saturated vapour is led via a stop valve 12 and a reducing valve 13 to a second separator 14 and then to a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow 15, wherein the condensate is from the separator 11 led via a reducing valve 17 to a variable phase turbine 20,
- the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow 15, from which the mixture of vapour and condensate is led via a stop valve 16 to a second condenser 21,
- the variable phase turbine 20, from which the mixture of vapour and condensate is led via a stop valve 19 to the second condenser 21,
- the second condenser 21 with an external cooling system 22, from which the condensate is via a reducing valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1,
- a second reservoir 26, into which the condensate from the second condenser 21 is led via a regulation valve 25, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too high or from the second reservoir 26 the condensate is led to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the reducing valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too low.
With the stop valves 2 and 3 the system located above ground is separated from the geothermal gravitational het pipe 1 in case the device for production of heat and/or electric energy is not in operation. Saturated vapour of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3 and 5 into the device for production of heat and/or electric energy comprising said geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The thermodynamic state of the working fluid in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is before start of the operation of the aboveground system determined by measuring pressure and temperature between the stop valves 3 and 5 and 2 and 30, wherein the stop valves 5 and 30 are closed.
Before operation of the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a stationary operation state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe has to be established. To achieve this, saturated vapour of working fluid is led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3, 5, and 17 to the condenser 21, where they condense, and the obtained condensate of the working fluid is returned via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 3 back to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The remaining stop and regulation valves are closed.
When the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is in stationary operational state, the stop valve 17 is closed and the saturated vapour of working fluid is led via stop valves 3, 5 and 6 to the condenser 10. In the condenser 10 the saturated vapour of working fluid is fully or at least partly condensed and heat a heating medium, which is with a pump 8 supplied to the heat user 9. The mixture of saturated vapour and liquid working fluid is from the condenser 10 led to the separator 11, where liquid is separated from the saturated vapour of working fluid. The liquid working fluid is from the separator 11 via a regulation valve 7 led to a variable phase turbine 20, where it is partly vaporized. The device is optionally without the variable phase turbine 20 for using the energy of condensate flow for production of electric energy. The obtained mixture
of vapour and liquid working fluid leaving the variable phase turbine 20 is led via a valve 19 into the second condenser 21. The saturated vapour of working fluid is from the separator 11 led via a stop valve 12 into a regulation valve 13 and a separator, where possibly present liquid is separated from the vapour of working fluid. The saturated vapour is from the separator 14 led to the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow 15, where they emit energy and partly condense. The mixture of vapour and liquid of working fluid is from the turbine with the radial outflow 15 led via a stop valve 16 into the second condenser 21 where they condense.
For cooling the condenser 21 the external cooling system 22 is used, where the cooling medium is with a pump supplied into the condenser 21. The condensate of the working fluid leaving the condenser 21 is via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
The reservoir 26 is used for regulation of pressure and temperature in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein in case of too high pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, a part of condensate form the condenser 21 is led via the regulation valve 25 into the reservoir 26. In case of tool low pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface via stop valves 3 and 5, the working fluid is from the reservoir 26 supplied via the regulation valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2 to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. Filling the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid is done via stop valves 33, 34 and 2. Before filling of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid, the whole system must be vacuumized. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is achieved via stop valves 2, 34 and 32, which via piping 31 lead to the reservoir 4. Removal of non-condensable gases from the condenser 21 is achieved via piping 24 and 28 into the reservoir 4 or reservoir 26. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the reservoir 26 is performed via piping 28 to the reservoir 4.
Figure 2 shows a process scheme of the second embodiment of the method and the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe according to the invention, wherein the saturated vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface are used exclusively for the production of electric energy. The device for production of electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe as shown in figure 2 comprises:
- a geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 installed in a geothermal pipe, wherein the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 for use of the geothermal potential of rock, is on the surface provided with stop valves 2 and 3, installed each at its own line,
- a reservoir 4 filled with water, into which non-condensable gases from the above-terranean and sub-terranean system are occasionally led via stop valves 32, 33 and 34, and a system of pipes 24, 28 and 31,
- s single-stage turbine with the radial outflow 15, from which the mixture of vapour and condensate is led via a stop valve 16 to a condenser 21,
- a condenser 21 with an external cooling system 22, from which the condensate is via a reducing valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1,
- a second reservoir 26, into which the condensate from the second condenser 21 is led via a regulation valve 25, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too high or from the second reservoir 26 the condensate is led to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the reducing valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too low.
The stop valves 2 and 3 separate the system located above ground from the geothermal gravitational het pipe 1 in case the device for production of electric energy is not in operation. Saturated vapour of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3 and 5 into the device for production of electric energy comprising said geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The thermodynamic state of the working fluid in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is before start of the operation of the above-ground system determined by measuring pressure and temperature between the stop valves 3 and 5 and 2 and 30, wherein the stop valves 5 and 30 are closed.
Before operation of the device for production of electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a stationary operation state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe has to be established. To achieve this, saturated vapour of working fluid is led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3, 5, and 17 to the condenser 21, where they condense, and the obtained condensate of the working fluid is returned via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 3 back to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The remaining stop and regulation valves are closed.
When the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is in stationary operational state, the stop valve 17 is closed and the saturated vapour of working fluid is led via stop valves 3, 5 and 6 to the regulation valve 13 and the separator 14, where possibly present liquid is separated from the vapour of working fluid. The saturated vapour is from the separator 14 led to the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow 15, where they emit energy and partly condense. The mixture of vapour and liquid of working fluid is from the turbine with the radial outflow 15 led via a stop valve 16 into the second condenser 21.
For cooling the condenser 21 the external cooling system 22 is used, where the cooling medium is with a pump supplied into the condenser 21. The condensate of the working fluid leaving the condenser 21 is via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
The reservoir 26 is used for regulation of pressure and temperature in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein in case of too high pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, a part of condensate form the condenser 21 is led via the regulation valve 25 into the reservoir 26. In case of tool low pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface via stop valves 3 and 5, the working fluid is from the reservoir 26 supplied via the regulation valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2 to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. Filling the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid is done via stop valves 33, 34 and 2. Before filling of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid, the whole system must be vacuumized. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is achieved via stop valves 2, 34 and 32, which via piping 31 lead to the reservoir 4. Removal of non-condensable gases from the condenser 21 is achieved via piping 24 and 28 into the reservoir 4 or reservoir 26. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the reservoir 26 is performed via piping 28 to the reservoir 4.
Figure 3 shows a process scheme of the third embodiment of the method and the device for production of heat and/or electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe intended for production of heat for heating and use of energy of condensate flow for production of electric energy. The device for the production of heat and electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 as shown in figure 3 comprises:
- a geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 installed in a geothermal pipe, wherein the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 for use of the geothermal potential of rock, is on the surface provided with stop valves 2 and 3, installed each at its own line,
- a reservoir 4 filled with water, into which non-condensable gases from the above-terranean and sub-terranean system are occasionally led via stop valves 32, 33 and 34, and a system of pipes 24, 28 and 31,
- a condenser 10 for producing heat for a user 9, into which saturated vapour of working fluid are led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via stop valves 3, 5 and 6, wherein the formed mixture of saturated vapour and liquid of the working fluid is led to a variable phase turbine 20,
- the phase variable turbine 20, from which the mixture of vapour and condensate is led via the stop valve 19 into a second condenser 21,
- the second condenser 21 with an external cooling system 22, from which the condensate is via a reducing valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1,
- a second reservoir 26, into which the condensate from the second condenser 21 is led via a regulation valve 25, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too high or from the second reservoir 26 the condensate is led to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the reducing valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2, in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is too low.
Stop valves 2 and 3 separate the system located above ground from the geothermal gravitational het pipe 1 in case the device for production of heat and electric energy is not in operation. Saturated vapour of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3 and 5 into the device for production of heat and electric energy comprising said geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The thermodynamic state of the working fluid in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is before start of the operation of the above-ground system determined by measuring pressure and temperature between the stop valves 3 and 5 and 2 and 30, wherein the stop valves 5 and 30 are closed.
Before operation of the device for production of heat and electric energy with the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a stationary operation state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe has to be established. To achieve this, saturated vapour of working fluid is led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 via the stop valves 3, 5, and 17 to the condenser 21, where they
condense, and the obtained condensate of the working fluid is returned via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 3 back to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1. The remaining stop and regulation valves are closed.
When the geothermal gravitational heat pipe 1 is in stationary operational state, the stop valve 17 is closed and the saturated vapour of working fluid is led via stop valves 3, 5 and 6 to the condenser 10. In the condenser 10 the saturated vapour of working fluid is fully or at least partly condensed and heat a heating medium, which is with a pump 8 supplied to the heat user 9. The mixture of saturated vapour and liquid working fluid is from the condenser 10 led to the separator 11, where liquid is separated from the saturated vapour of working fluid. The liquid working fluid is from the separator 11 via a regulation valve 7 led to a variable phase turbine 20, where it is partly vaporized. The device is optionally without the variable phase turbine 20 for using the energy of condensate flow for production of electric energy. The obtained mixture of vapour and liquid working fluid leaving the variable phase turbine 20 is led via a valve 19 into the second condenser 21.
For cooling the condenser 21 the external cooling system 22 is used, where the cooling medium is with a pump supplied into the condenser 21. The condensate of the working fluid leaving the condenser 21 is via the regulation valve 27 and stop valves 30 and 2 returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe.
The reservoir 26 is used for regulation of pressure and temperature in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein in case of too high pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface, a part of condensate form the condenser 21 is led via the regulation valve 25 into the reservoir 26. In case of tool low pressure of the working fluid vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the surface via stop valves 3 and 5, the working fluid is from the reservoir 26 supplied via the regulation valve 29 and stop valves 30 and 2 to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. Filling the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid is done via stop valves 33, 34 and 2. Before filling of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe with the working fluid, the whole system must be vacuumized. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe is achieved via stop valves 2, 34 and 32, which via piping 31 lead to the reservoir 4. Removal of non-condensable gases from the condenser 21 is achieved via piping 24 and 28 into the reservoir 4 or reservoir 26. Occasional removal of non-condensable gases from the reservoir 26 is performed via piping 28 to the reservoir 4.
Claims
1. A device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, characterized in that the device comprises:
- the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1), and
- a condenser (10) arranged for condensing saturated vapour of working fluid, which allows heating of a water in a heating system of a heat user (9).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:
- said geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) installed in a geothermal hole, which is provided with two stop valves (2 in 3), each installed at its own line,
- a reservoir (4) filled with water,
- the condenser (10) for production of heat for a user (9), into which saturated vapour of working fluid is led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via stop valves (3, 5 and 6), wherein the formed condensate is led into a variable phase turbine (20),
- optionally the variable phase turbine (20), from which the mixture of vapour and condensate is led to a second condenser (21) via a stop valve (19),
- the second condenser (21) with an external cooling system (22), arranged to return the condensate via a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2) into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1).
3. A device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, characterized in that the device comprises:
- the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1),
- a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow (15) connected to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) for receiving saturated vapour of working fluid from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1), wherein said single-stage turbine with the radial outflow (15) is configured to drive an electric generator for production of electric energy,
- a condenser (21) with an external cooling system (22) arranged to condense vapour of working fluid exiting the turbine with the radial outflow (15).
The device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises:
- the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) installed in a geothermal hole and provided with two stop valves (2 and 3), each installed at its own line,
- a reservoir (4) filled with water,
- a stop valve (16) for leading mixture of vapour from the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow (15) to the condenser (21),
- a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2) for returning the condensate from the condenser (21) back into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1). A device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, characterized in that the device comprises:
- the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1),
- a condenser (10) arranged for condensing saturated vapour of working fluid, which allows heating of a water in a heating system of a heat user (9),
- a separator (11) for separating vapour from liquid of working fluid,
- a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow (15) in connection to said geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1), arranged to receive working fluid vapour from the separator (11), wherein said single-stage turbine with radial outflow (15) is arranged to drive an electric generator for production of electric energy,
- a variable phase turbine (20) arranged to receive the condensate from the separator (11) for production of electric energy,
- a second condenser (21) with an external cooling system (22) arranged to condense vapour and cool liquid of the working fluid exiting the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow (15) and the variable phase turbine (20). The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises:
- the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) installed in a geothermal hole and provided with two stop valves (2 and 3), each installed at its own line,
- a reservoir (4) filled with working fluid, preferably water,
- a condenser (10) for production of heat for a user (9), into which saturated vapour of working fluid is led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via stop valves (3,
5 and 6), wherein the formed mixture of saturated vapour and liquid of working fluid is lead to the separator,
- the separator (11), from which the saturated vapour is lead via a stop valve (12) and a reducing valve (13) into a second separator (14) and from the latter to the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow (15), the condensate being led from the separator (11) via a reducing valve (17) to the variable phase turbine (20),
- a stop valve (16) for supplying mixture of vapour and condensate from the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow (15) into a second condenser (21),
- a stop valve (19) for supplying mixture of vapour and condensate from the variable phase turbine (20) into the second condenser (21),
- a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2) for returning the condensate from the second condenser (21) back into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1). The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further provided with a second reservoir (26) for working fluid intended for regulation of pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein in case of too high pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface, the condensate or liquid working fluid is supplied from the condenser (21) with external cooling system to the reservoir (26), and in case of too low pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface, an additional amount of liquid working fluid is supplied from the reservoir (26) into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via the reducing valve (29) and stop valves (30 and 2). The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a pipe system (24, 28, 31) with valves (2, 34, 32) for removing non-condensable gases from the condenser (21), the reservoir (26) and the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1). The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working fluid is ammonia or water. A method for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, characterized in that saturated vapour of working fluid are led into a condenser, where
the vapour is condensed and used to heat water of a user's heating system, wherein the condensate is via a regulation valve returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe. The method according to claim 10, wherein the saturated vapour of working fluid leaving the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) are led via stop valves (3, 5 and 6) into a condenser(lO) for production of heat for a user (9), wherein the formed liquid of the working fluid is lead via a reducing valve (7) into an optional variable phase turbine (20), and the mixture of vapour and liquid of the working fluid leaving the optional variable phase turbine (20) is lead via a stop valve (19) into a second condenser (21) with an external cooling system (22), from which the condensate is via a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2) returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) or is via a regulation valve (25) led to a reservoir (26), in case the pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) is too high, or in case of a too low pressure the liquid from the reservoir (26) is supplied to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via a reducing valve (29( and stop valves (30 and 2), wherein removal of non-condensable gases from the system is performed via stop valves (32, 33 and 34) and a pipe system (24, 28 in 31) to a reservoir (4) filled with water. A method for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal heat pipe, characterized in that saturated vapour of working fluid are led into a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow, which drives an electric generator for generating electric energy, and then to a condenser, where the vapour is with an external cooling system condensed. The method according to claim 12, wherein saturated vapour of working fluid leaving the geothermal hite pipe (1) are led via stop valves (3, 5 and 6) into the condenser (10) for producing heat for a user (9), wherein formed liquid of working fluid is lead via a reducing valve (7) into an optional variable phase turbine (20), and the mixture of vapour and liquid of working fluid leaving the optional variable phase turbine (20) are led via a stop valve (19) into the second condenser (21) with the external cooling system (22), from which the condensate is returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2).
A method for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe, characterized in that vapor of working fluid led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe are led into a condenser, wherein a part of the vapour is condensed for heat production and the remaining part of working fluid vapour is separated and led into a single-stage turbine with a radial outflow and then to a second condenser, wherein the vapour is condensed using an external cooling system, wherein the condensate obtained by separation of the mixture of vapour and condensate is led to a variable phase turbine for partial vaporization and the obtained mixture of vapour and condensate is led into the condenser with the external cooling system to obtain a condensate, which is returned back to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe by gravitation. The method according to claim 14, wherein saturated vapour of working fluid leaving the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) are led via stop valves (3, 5 and 6) into the condenser (10) for production of heat for a user (9), and the obtained mixture of saturated vapour and liquid working fluid is led to the separator (11), from which the saturated vapour are led via a stop valve (12) and a reducing valve (13) into a second separator (14) and to the single- stage turbine with the radial outflow (15), and the condensate is from the separator (11) led via a reducing valve (7) into an optional variable phase turbine (20), and the mixture of the vapour and liquid working fluid leaving the single-stage turbine with the radial outflow k (15) and optional variable phase turbine (20) is led to the second condenser (21) with the external cooling system (22), from which the condensate is via a reducing valve (27) and stop valves (30 and 2) returned to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1). The method according to any claim from 10 to 15, wherein for regulation of pressure in the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) a reservoir (26) with working fluid is provided, wherein in case of too high pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface, the condensate or liquid working fluid is supplied from the condenser (21) with external cooling system (22) to the reservoir (26) via a regulation valve (25), and in case of too low pressure of vapour led from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) to the surface, an additional amount of liquid working fluid is supplied from the reservoir (26) into the geothermal gravitational heat pipe (1) via the reducing valve (29) and stop valves (30 and 2).
The method according to any claim from 10 to 16, wherein for removal of non-condensable gases from the condenser (21) or from the reservoir (26) is performed with a pipe system (24, 28, 31) and stop valves (32, 33 in 34) into the reservoir (4). The method according to any claim from 10 to 17, wherein in order to establish a stationary operational state of the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, a pipe connection is used to connect the piping for leading saturated vapour from the geothermal gravitational heat pipe to the condenser with the external cooling system, in which the saturated vapour of the working fluid condense and the generated liquid of the working fluid are returned via the reducing valve to the geothermal gravitational heat pipe, wherein the valves for supplying vapour to the condenser and on the inlet and outlet side of the turbines are closed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SI202200222A SI26426A (en) | 2022-10-28 | 2022-10-28 | A method and a device for production of heat and/or electricity with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe |
| SIP-202200222 | 2022-10-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2024091187A1 true WO2024091187A1 (en) | 2024-05-02 |
Family
ID=89321802
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SI2023/050016 WO2024091187A1 (en) | 2022-10-28 | 2023-10-23 | A method and a device for production of heat and/or electric energy with a geothermal gravitational heat pipe |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| SI (1) | SI26426A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024091187A1 (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3757516A (en) * | 1971-09-14 | 1973-09-11 | Magma Energy Inc | Geothermal energy system |
| US3986362A (en) * | 1975-06-13 | 1976-10-19 | Petru Baciu | Geothermal power plant with intermediate superheating and simultaneous generation of thermal and electrical energy |
| US20100018668A1 (en) * | 2007-02-19 | 2010-01-28 | Daniel Favrat | Co2 based district energy system |
| US20120279681A1 (en) * | 2009-06-16 | 2012-11-08 | Dec Design Mechanical Consultants Ltd. | District Energy Sharing System |
| US20180313340A1 (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2018-11-01 | Exergy S.P.A. | Orc binary cycle geothermal plant and process |
| EP3399246A1 (en) * | 2017-05-02 | 2018-11-07 | E.ON Sverige AB | District energy distributing system and method of providing mechanical work and heating heat transfer fluid of a district thermal energy circuit |
| US20210317758A1 (en) * | 2018-07-30 | 2021-10-14 | Ormat Technologies Inc. | System and method for increasing power output from an organic vapor turbine |
-
2022
- 2022-10-28 SI SI202200222A patent/SI26426A/en unknown
-
2023
- 2023-10-23 WO PCT/SI2023/050016 patent/WO2024091187A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3757516A (en) * | 1971-09-14 | 1973-09-11 | Magma Energy Inc | Geothermal energy system |
| US3986362A (en) * | 1975-06-13 | 1976-10-19 | Petru Baciu | Geothermal power plant with intermediate superheating and simultaneous generation of thermal and electrical energy |
| US20100018668A1 (en) * | 2007-02-19 | 2010-01-28 | Daniel Favrat | Co2 based district energy system |
| US20120279681A1 (en) * | 2009-06-16 | 2012-11-08 | Dec Design Mechanical Consultants Ltd. | District Energy Sharing System |
| US20180313340A1 (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2018-11-01 | Exergy S.P.A. | Orc binary cycle geothermal plant and process |
| EP3399246A1 (en) * | 2017-05-02 | 2018-11-07 | E.ON Sverige AB | District energy distributing system and method of providing mechanical work and heating heat transfer fluid of a district thermal energy circuit |
| US20210317758A1 (en) * | 2018-07-30 | 2021-10-14 | Ormat Technologies Inc. | System and method for increasing power output from an organic vapor turbine |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SI26426A (en) | 2024-04-30 |
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