Patents Assigned to GeoThermal Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 11927177Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a thin-bed hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) in geothermal energy generation applications. An example embodiment operates by pumping, via an extraction well, heated water from an extraction depth of an HSA. The HSA is identified based on a permeability satisfying a threshold permeability range and could even have a thickness equal to or less than about 100 meters. The example embodiment further operates by extracting, via a power generation unit, heat from the heated water to generate power and transform the heated water into cooled water. Subsequently, the example embodiment operates by injecting, via an injection well, the cooled water at an injection depth of the HSA. A first portion of the extraction well and a second portion of the injection well are disposed within the HSA.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce D. Marsh, Saman Karimi
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Patent number: 11852769Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using direction-angles to identify geologic features and geologic attributes for use in geothermal, oil and gas, mining, and other applications. An example embodiment operates by receiving a discrete three-dimensional (3D) representation of a geologic volume comprising a set of 3D orientations, where each 3D orientation is represented as a set of direction-angles measured relative to a set of coordinate axes. The example embodiment further operates by receiving a set of other measurements of properties of the geologic volume. In response, the example embodiment operates by correlating the set of 3D orientations with the set of other measurements to generate a geologic correlation data structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Alfred Lacazette
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Publication number: 20230228461Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for stimulating convective thermal recharge in a hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) used in geothermal energy generation applications. An example system pumps, via an extraction well, heated water from an extraction depth of a hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) identified based on a convective heat transfer coefficient of the HSA satisfying a threshold convective heat transfer coefficient. The system then extracts, via a power generation unit, heat from the heated water to generate power and transform the heated water into cooled water. Subsequently, the system injects, via an injection well, the cooled water at an injection depth of the HSA. As a result of these operations, the system stimulates a convective flow field within the HSA having a convective heat transfer rate sufficient to provide a convective thermal recharge of the extracted heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce D. MARSH, Saman KARIMI, James HOLLIS, J. Gary MCDANIEL
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Patent number: 11644220Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) in geothermal energy generation applications. An example embodiment operates by pumping, via multiple extraction wells, heated water from one or more extraction depths of an HSA. The HSA is identified based on a permeability satisfying a threshold permeability range. The example embodiment further operates by extracting, via a power generation unit, heat from the heated water to generate power and transform the heated water into cooled water. Subsequently, the example embodiment operates by injecting, via multiple injection wells, the cooled water at one or more injection depths of the HSA.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce D. Marsh, Saman Karimi, James Hollis, J. Gary McDaniel
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Publication number: 20230062942Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a thin-bed hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) in geothermal energy generation applications. An example embodiment operates by pumping, via an extraction well, heated water from an extraction depth of an HSA. The HSA is identified based on a permeability satisfying a threshold permeability range and could even have a thickness equal to or less than about 100 meters. The example embodiment further operates by extracting, via a power generation unit, heat from the heated water to generate power and transform the heated water into cooled water. Subsequently, the example embodiment operates by injecting, via an injection well, the cooled water at an injection depth of the HSA. A first portion of the extraction well and a second portion of the injection well are disposed within the HSA.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce D. MARSH, Saman KARIMI
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Publication number: 20220365236Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using direction-angles to identify geologic features and geologic attributes for use in geothermal, oil and gas, mining, and other applications. An example embodiment operates by receiving a discrete three-dimensional (3D) representation of a geologic volume comprising a set of 3D orientations, where each 3D orientation is represented as a set of direction-angles measured relative to a set of coordinate axes. The example embodiment further operates by receiving a set of other measurements of properties of the geologic volume, In response, the example embodiment operates by correlating the set of 3D orientations with the set of other measurements to generate a geologic correlation data structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Alfred LACAZETTE
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Publication number: 20150252653Abstract: A system for adapting an HVAC system in an existing building for utilizing geothermal energy is described. The system uses an incoming flux of geothermal energy, along with a plurality of heat exchange surfaces adapted to receive the incoming flux of geothermal energy. The system also includes an interface between the HVAC system and the heat exchange surfaces. The interface is adapted to transfer the geothermal energy to the system. A multiplier sub for a drill rig and several drilling assemblies are also described, along with a system to reduce vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Tommie E. Shelton, JR.
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Patent number: 8672058Abstract: The invention provides a system for adapting an HVAC system in an existing building for utilizing geothermal energy, the system comprising an incoming flux of geothermal energy; a plurality of heat exchange surfaces adapted to receive the incoming flux of geothermal energy; and an interface between the HVAC system and the heat exchange surfaces, said interface adapted to transfer the geothermal energy to the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: GeoThermal Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Shelton E. Tommie, Jr.