Abstract: A liquid-to-liquid heat pump is utilized for supplying sufficient heat to generate steam from the condensate of a steam turbine. A liquid coolant is circulated through the condenser of the steam turbine for absorption of heat from the steam as the steam forms condensate. The liquid coolant is then circulated through the heat pump for recovery of the heat absorbed by the coolant during condensation of the steam. Sufficient transferred heat is transferred to the coolant to permit the heat pump to extract sufficient heat from the coolant to regenerate steam from the condensate. The transferred heat is supplied by a plurality of heat sinks buried in the earth to a sufficient depth so as to be in heat exchange relationship with the subterranean water system of the earth.

Abstract: The geothermal system for conditioning air includes a heat pump (10) of the liquid-to-air type and an improved heat sink (40) in heat exchange relationship with the subterranean water system of the earth and connected to the heat pump through a liquid circulating system. The heat sink includes an elongate metallic liquid container (41) providing a large amount of surface contact with the earth and of a sufficient length and buried at a sufficient depth to provide a good heat transfer relationship with the subterranean water system of the earth. A liquid inlet conduit (44) communicates with the interior of the upper end of the liquid container (41) and an outlet conduit (insulator tube 45 and return pipe 54) extends longitudinally within the container and thermally insulates the outlet liquid from the liquid in the container.