Patents by Inventor Elwood L. Carlson

Elwood L. Carlson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4017120
    Abstract: Hot brines containing dissolved gases are produced from liquid-dominated geothermal wells by utilizing lift gases of essentially the same composition as said dissolved gases. The lift gas is separated from the produced brine and recycled. Heat is abstracted from the separated brine, which may be returned to the aquifer, processed for its mineral content or discarded. The gas lift is carried out under temperature and pressure conditions such that precipitation of minerals from the brine does not occur in the well bore. The problems which would result from the use of oxygen-containing and/or brine-soluble inert gases for the lifting operation are avoided. The problems attendant upon production of hot brines by pumping are also avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Elwood L. Carlson, Albert A. Gunkler, Conrad O. M. Miller, H. Hunter Paalman