Power plants – Utilizing natural heat – Geothermal
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-10-16
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Utilizing natural heat
Geothermal
C060S641100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301894
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a geothermal power generation system and more particularly to an improved geothermal power generation system in which the water in the hot rock strata is not used and water from an outside source is used and can be recycled. Geothermal power generation systems have been used for years. The usual system comprises drilling a well into a hot rock strata containing hot water. If the strata is dry and hot, then water may be pumped into the well and into the hot rock strata. The hot rock strata either contains hot water or will heat the water that is pumped in until it reaches a temperature and pressure that exceeds the conditions necessary for the formation of steam. The hot water flows or is pumped out of the well and when the pressure is released the hot water and steam are separated and the steam is used to operate a turbine that turns an electrical generator or some other mechanism. The generator may be connected to a power grid for transport of the electricity to the point of use or the power may be used on site. The ground water may require treatment before it is returned to the hot rock strata. It has been found that in current geothermal power generation systems the natural water or the water that is pumped into the hot rock strata is highly contaminated. The water is generally high in solids and may contain scaling or corrosive chemicals, or both and requires treatment before it can be returned to the hot rock strata. After the steam is used to turn a turbine and the steam condensed to its water phase, the resulting water is contaminated and requires treatment before passage through the piping and processing basins and before it can be returned to the hot rock strata.
It has also been noted that the use of a single well into which water is pumped into and the steam is pumped out of, limits the location of the generator turbine as well as the wells themselves since they must be located close to each other if a single well is used to both receive water, pump out steam and return water to the strata. In addition, the use of a single well limits the amount of time that the water is within the hot rock strata thereby lowering the efficiency of the system.
OBJECTS
The present invention overcomes these difficulties and has for one of its objects the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the water obtaining heat from the hot rock strata does not become contaminated so that it can be recycled, does not require chemical treatment beyond that used in standard boiler water treatment, and is economical in the amount of water used. Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the turbine turning a generator or other mechanism that is to be powered by the steam needed not be located near the input well that is used to receive water into the ground and can be at a location remote from that well. Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the system is more efficient. Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved geothermal power generation system in which the system is easy to install because the wells can be drilled by horizontal well drilling techniques in common use in the oil industry. The improved geothermal power generation system is simple to use. Another object of the present invention is that the system is maintained without withdrawing water from the strata so that the pressure in the strata is maintained. Other and further objects will be obvious upon the understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or which will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein, will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
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Baker Hughes INTEQ—Short Radius May 1987.
Nguyen Hoang
Previto Joseph J.
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