Abstract: Described are methods and systems for producing hydrogen using closed-loop geothermal technology from geothermal, oil and gas or other resources. Various configurations and types of closed-loop systems are described which enable the capture, transfer and use of heat from the resource and from chemical reactions from the processes and methods employed and to also create high down bore pressure, in each case to enhance the technical and commercial efficiency of various hydrogen production methods. As hydrogen is created at high pressures and purities which are necessary for delivery and commercial use of hydrogen, the need for additional compression and purification activities is minimized. Various of the methods and systems described can make hydrogen produced from fossil fuel inputs less carbon intensive and make renewable fuel inputs produce hydrogen entirely without carbon outputs, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

Abstract: A system for producing geothermal energy may include a tiered geothermal loop energy production system. The tiered geothermal loop energy production system includes: a first closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat-producing geologic formation, the first closed-loop pipe system having a first energy production; and a second closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat producing geologic formation, the second closed-loop pipe system having a second energy production greater than the first energy production; and, optionally a third closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat producing geologic formation, the third closed-loop pipe system having a third energy production. An energy conversion system is configured to convert energy from the tiered geothermal loop energy production system to another form of energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermal or electrical power from geothermal wells. Power is produced from a working fluid circulating in a closed loop within a geothermal well. Geothermal steam or brine at depth transfers heat at higher temperature than at the surface to the working fluid. The working fluid is then used to produce power directly or indirectly. The geothermal production fluid may be stimulated through use of gas lifting or submersible pumps to assist in bringing such fluids to the surface or through the use blockers to encourage the downhole steam advection and brine recirculation through the resource in a connective loop. The working fluid may be compatible with existing direct heat or power generation equipment; i.e., water for flash plants or hydrocarbons/refrigerants for binary plants.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for producing hydrogen using closed-loop geothermal technology from geothermal, oil and gas or other resources. Various configurations and types of closed-loop systems are described which enable the capture, transfer and use of heat from the resource and from chemical reactions from the processes and methods employed and to also create high down bore pressure, in each case to enhance the technical and commercial efficiency of various hydrogen production methods. As hydrogen is created at high pressures and purities which are necessary for delivery and commercial use of hydrogen, the need for additional compression and purification activities is minimized. Various of the methods and systems described can make hydrogen produced from fossil fuel inputs less carbon intensive and make renewable fuel inputs produce hydrogen entirely without carbon outputs, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermal or electrical power from geothermal wells. Power is produced from a working fluid circulating in a closed loop within a geothermal well. Geothermal steam or brine at depth transfers heat at higher temperature than at the surface to the working fluid. The working fluid is then used to produce power directly or indirectly. The geothermal production fluid may be stimulated through use of gas lifting or submersible pumps to assist in bringing such fluids to the surface or through the use blockers to encourage the downhole steam advection and brine recirculation through the resource in a connective loop. The working fluid may be compatible with existing direct heat or power generation equipment; i.e., water for flash plants or hydrocarbons/refrigerants for binary plants.

Abstract: Tiered or stacked geothermal loop energy systems may include closed-loop pipe systems disposed within a heat producing geologic formation. The pipe systems are emplaced in wellbores drilled so as to efficiently and effectively take advantage of localized formation properties.

Abstract: A method or apparatus that uses a fluid in a closed loop well system to extract heat from geothermal resources that are located in or near high-temperature, low-permeable geologic formations to produce power. In some embodiments, the closed loop system may include one or more heat exchange zones, where at least a portion of the one or more heat exchange zones may be disposed within a subterranean region having a temperature of at least 350° C. The subterranean region may be within a plastic zone or within 1000 meters of the plastic zone, the plastic zone having a temperature gradient of at least 80° C. per kilometer depth.

Abstract: A method or apparatus that uses a fluid in a closed loop well system to extract heat from geothermal resources that are located in or near high-temperature, low-permeable geologic formations to produce power. In some embodiments, the closed loop system may include one or more heat exchange zones, where at least a portion of the one or more heat exchange zones may be disposed within a subterranean region having a temperature of at least 350° C. The subterranean region may be within a plastic zone or within 1000 meters of the plastic zone, the plastic zone having a temperature gradient of at least 80° C. per kilometer depth.

Abstract: Methods for thermalsiphoning supercritical CO2 within a geothermal formation includes providing a geothermal energy system that includes an underground hot rock reservoir, a production well, and an injection well that together form a fluid path suitable for circulating supercritical CO2. The supercritical CO2 flows by thermosiphoning. Thermosiphoning is maximized by maintaining a pressure between 1400-4000 psia, an injection temperature in a range from 50-200 C and a production temperature in a range from 150-600 where injection temperature and the production temperature differ by at least 50° C.

Abstract: A process for producing power including injecting a first heat transfer fluid through an injection well to a geothermally-heated formation that contains a second heat transfer fluid. The first heat transfer fluid may then be heated via indirect heat exchange in an interwell run fluidly connected to the injection well and disposed within the geothermally-heated formation. The heated first heat transfer fluid may then be recovered through a production well fluidly connected to the interwell run. Thermal energy contained in the recovered heated first heat transfer fluid may then be converted in a power production unit fluidly connected to the injection well and the production well. The interwell run, in some embodiments, may include multiple heat exchange tubes disposed within a perforated casing or drill pipe.

Abstract: Tiered or stacked geothermal loop energy systems may include closed-loop pipe systems disposed within a heat producing geologic formation. The pipe systems are emplaced in wellbores drilled so as to efficiently and effectively take advantage of localized formation properties.