Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solid materials from a fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit configured to allow the fluid to flow therethrough. The apparatus further includes a mesh extending across the conduit. The mesh is configured to allow the fluid to flow therethrough and to allow a solid material to precipitate out of the fluid onto the mesh. The apparatus further includes a support structure configured to support the mesh in position across the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a wellbore in a material, such as rock, is provided. The apparatus can include a microwave source, a first fluid source, and a second fluid source. The microwave source can be configured to transmit microwave energy to a surface of the material to alter the material. The first fluid source can be configured to emit a first fluid to the surface of the material to alter the material. The first fluid can be substantially absorptive to the microwave energy. The second fluid source can be configured to emit a second fluid to the surface of the material to flush the first fluid from the surface of the material. The second fluid can be substantially transparent to the microwave energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solid materials from a fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit configured to allow the fluid to flow therethrough. The apparatus further includes a mesh extending across the conduit. The mesh is configured to allow the fluid to flow therethrough and to allow a solid material to precipitate out of the fluid onto the mesh.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for drilling a wellbore in a material, such as rock. The apparatus can include a microwave source, a first fluid source, and a second fluid source. The microwave source can be configured to transmit microwave energy to a surface of the material to alter the material. The first fluid source can be configured to emit a first fluid to the surface of the material to alter the material. The first fluid can be substantially absorptive to the microwave energy. The second fluid source can be configured to emit a second fluid to the surface of the material to flush the first fluid from the surface of the material. The second fluid can be substantially transparent to the microwave energy.

Abstract: A geothermal energy system utilizes geothermal heat under the floor of a body of water. The system includes at least one well having a top and a bottom. At least one well is drilled to a sufficient depth to access geothermal heat from one or more areas under the floor. The system further includes at least one energy converter operatively coupled to the well. The at least one energy converter is configured to convert the geothermal heat to another form of energy.

Abstract: A system for drilling a deep-sea borehole in a seabed is provided. The system includes a drill string having a plurality of strands adapted to be reversibly connected together to assemble the drill string and reversibly disconnected from one another to disassemble the drill string. The system further includes a submerged drilling deck anchored on the seabed, the deck adapted to reversibly connect the strands together and to reversibly disconnect the strands from one another. Methods of disassembling and assembling the drill string are also provided.

Abstract: A geothermal energy system utilizes geothermal heat under the floor of a body of water. The system includes at least one well having a top and a bottom. At least one well is drilled to a sufficient depth to access geothermal heat from one or more areas under the floor. The system further includes at least one energy converter operatively coupled to the well. The at least one energy converter is configured to convert the geothermal heat to another form of energy.

Abstract: A system for the generation of electricity from geothermal energy that is less expensive, more efficient, and avoids dealing with undesirable byproducts, is disclosed. The system of the present invention relies on using endothermic reactions at the bottom of a well to capture and store the geothermal heat, and exothermic reactions at the top of the well to release the heat stored within the products of the endothermic reactions. In the preferred embodiment, the endothermic reaction is the dehydrogenation of ethanol. To induce the endothermic reaction as well as to harvest and separate the resulting products, a catalytic device is used where each type of product selectively diffuses into its individual conduit. The endothermic products undergo the exothermic reaction in a combustion turbine, and the products of the exothermic reaction are immediately condensed in a condenser.

Abstract: A system for the generation of electricity from geothermal energy that is less expensive, more efficient, and avoids dealing with undesirable byproducts, is disclosed. The system of the present invention relies on using endothermic reactions at the bottom of a well to capture and store the geothermal heat, and exothermic reactions at the top of the well to release the heat stored within the products of the endothermic reactions. In the preferred embodiment, the endothermic reaction is the decomposition of water. To induce the endothermic reaction as well as to harvest and separate the resulting products, a catalytic device is used where each type of product selectively diffuses into its individual conduit. The endothermic products undergo the exothermic reaction in a combustion turbine, and the products of the exothermic reaction are immediately condensed in a condenser. In the preferred embodiment the condenser condenses steam into liquid water to be returned down the well, thus creating a closed system.

Abstract: A system for the generation of electricity from geothermal energy that is less expensive and more efficient, and avoids dealing with undesirable byproducts, is disclosed. The first system of the present invention relies on using endothermic reactions at the bottom of a well to capture and store the geothermal heat, and exothermic reactions at the top of the well to release the heat stored within the products of the endothermic reactions. In one preferred embodiment, the endothermic reaction is the decomposition of water. To induce the endothermic reaction as well as to harvest and separate the resulting products, a catalytic device is used where each type of product selectively diffuses into its individual conduit. The endothermic products undergo the exothermic reaction in a combustion turbine, and the products of the exothermic reaction are immediately condensed in a condenser.