Abstract:
Provided are a geothermal exchanger including a capillary-type heat pipe, an apparatus for preventing icing on a road/bridge, and a geothermal cooling and heating apparatus. The geothermal exchanger includes: a heat exchange part disposed adjacent to the ground so as to absorb heat from the ground or discharge heat to the ground; and a capillary-type heat pipe for transferring heat, in which a working fluid is injected, one side of the heat pipe for transferring heat being disposed adjacent to the heat exchange part so as to transfer heat, and the other side thereof being buried underground. When the surface of the ground is warmer than below the ground, the heat pipe for transferring heat transfers heat from the heat exchange part to below the ground, thereby storing the heat. When the ground surface is cooler than below the ground, the heat pipe for transferring heat transfers the heat from below the ground to the heat exchange part. Thus, natural energy from the ground may be accumulated underground in the form of thermal energy so as to increase the available heat in the earth. Further, providing the capillary-type heat pipe, which has a wide heat-transfer area and high heat-transfer efficiency, enables a loss of energy to be minimized and the thermal energy efficiency of the earth to be improved. In addition, the capillary-type heat pipe may be used alone without an additional operational device, such as a pump, so as to easily store the thermal energy and enable the easy installation and repair/maintenance of the geothermal exchanger.
Abstract:
Methods are described for using heated fluids from enhanced geothermal systems projects that recover geothermal heat from hot dry rock resources, and then injecting the heated pressurized fluids into a suitable rock formation to create an artificial geothermal energy reservoir. The artificial geothermal reservoir can then be used to store thermal energy by boosting the enthalpy of injected fluids by exchanging against heated fluids from other sources including a solar thermal power plant. Recovered heated fluids are utilized in a geothermal power plant and the spent geothermal fluids can be injected to recover additional thermal energy from hot dry rock resources. One embodiment is a geosolar electric power generation project to provide a steady and flexible source of renewable energy from a hot dry rock geothermal source integrated with a concentrating solar power project.
Abstract:
Embodiments of thermal transfer devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a thermal transfer system can include a conduit that has an input portion, an output portion, and a sidewall between the input and output portions. Heat can enter the conduit at the input portion and exit the conduit at the output portion. The thermal transfer system can further include an end cap proximate to a terminus of the conduit. A working fluid can circulate through the conduit utilizing a vaporization-condensation cycle. The thermal transfer device can also include an architectural construct having a plurality of parallel layers of a synthetic matrix characterization of a crystal.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides equipment and processes for ground heat exchange. Embodiments of the ground heat exchange system may comprise a geothermal well that includes an inner tube positioned coaxially inside a borehole in geologic units, a substantially-liquid impermeable outer liner sealed at the bottom, and a liquid supply system. The outer liner may include one or more layers of a substantially-liquid impermeable fabric or coating. A fluid such as water is supplied by the liquid supply system and flows co-axially through the inner tube. The fluid pressure in the annulus between the inner tube and the outer liner presses the outer liner against the borehole wall, providing sealing contact and preventing interconnection of aquifers of the geologic units.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for efficiently extracting geothermal energy from a subterranean thermal reservoir through a wellbore where the heat exchange fluid is introduced at a slower velocity than the velocity at which the fluid is extracted. The method and apparatus further comprises a gas zone near the top of the wellbore to reduce heat losses of the heat exchange fluid. A portion of the casing of the wellbore can directly contact the subterranean environment for improved thermal conductivity. Alternatively, a thermally conductive wall comprising a thermally conductive material can surround a potion of the casing of the wellbore. Further, the inner and/or outer surface of the pipes and conduits of the disclosed method and apparatus can include features that enhance the surface areas for improved heat transfer efficiency.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a geothermal probe and a method for the insertion of such a geothermal probe. Said probe comprises a thermal tube which is inserted into the ground with prestress.
Abstract:
A closed-loop, solid-state system generates electricity from geothermal heat from a well by flow of heat, without needing large quantities of water to conduct heat from the ground. The present invention contemplates uses for depleted oil or gas wells and newly drilled wells to generate electricity in an environmentally-friendly method. Geothermal heat is conducted from the Earth to a heat exchanging element to heat the contents of pipes. The pipes are insulated between the bottom of the well and the surface to minimize heat dissipation as the heated contents of the pipes travel to the surface.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a geothermal probe and a method for the insertion of such a geothermal probe. Said probe comprises a thermal tube which is inserted into the ground with prestress.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for generating energy are provided. The method comprises the steps of creating a downward flow of air through a first conduit (1) having an upper end (3) and a lower end (4), an air inlet being arranged at or near the upper end, controlling the relative humidity of the air in at least the first conduit at a predetermined level, heating the air at or near the lower end of the first conduit, creating an upward flow of the heated air through a second conduit (2) having a lower end (5) and an upper end (6), an air outlet being arranged at or near the upper end, and utilizing the energy content of the heated air.
Abstract:
This snow coverage installation is of the type comprising at least one snow gun (6) connected to a water and air supply network, mounted on a base (5) and associated with a buried housing (3) above a portion (7, 7') of the said supply network. The housing (3) defines an internal volume (12) which incorporates a directional flow valve (9) for controlling the water and air supply of the said associated snow gun (6); it also comprises at least one passageway (20, 21) for the entrance of the water and air ducts (8, 8') which supply the said directional flow valve (9) and for the exit of the water and air ducts (11, 11') originating from the said directional flow valve (9) and supplying the said snow gun (6). According to the invention, the directional flow valve (9) is placed in the internal volume (12) of the housing (3), at a depth such that an operator (13) can have access thereto for the purpose of an installation, maintenance or inspection intervention, without his body being totally confined within the said internal volume (12), the latter also comprising means for keeping the said directional flow valve member (9) frost-free (preferably the internal volume of the housing has a maximum depth (hi) of 80 cm). In addition, the housing (3) comprises means (4) that allow it to be secured to the said base (5) of the gun (6), this base (5) being anchored to the ground, situated outside the internal volume (12) and used as a structure of support to the said housing (3).