Abstract: The present invention relates to a close-loop temperature equalization device with single flowpath utilizing the heat exchange fluid for transmitting thermal energy of a natural thermal energy storage body to an external temperature differentiation body, and is provided with one or more than one of following structural devices, including: 1) installing an operation port (111) and a sealing plug (110) at the upper end of the top corner of a close-loop flowpath at a higher location of the heat releasing device (201); 2) forming an outward-expanding arc-shaped flowpath structure at turning locations of the close-type flowpath; 3) installing an auxiliary heating/cooling device (115); 4) installing an auxiliary fluid pump (107); 5) installing a heat exchange fluid temperature sensing device (TS201); 6) installing an environment temperature sensing device (TS202); and 7) installing an electric energy control unit (ECU200).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for recovering heat from the environment, for use in underground and underwater construction, wherein in a sheet piling wall (2) anchored in a subgrade and made of sheet piling wall elements (4) that can be locked to each other, the sheet piling wall elements (4) comprise at least one closed hollow space (6) designed as a heat tube (8), wherein the heat tube (8) transfers heat energy drawn from the water or the ground via the sheet piling wall elements (4) to a heat pump (16) via a heat exchanger (12) at the one end (14) of the heat tube (8).

Abstract: A system is described generally for a water capture structure that is configured to capture wave water lapping over at least one wall of the water capture structure. The at least one wall extends at least above a nominal surface water level and at least one conduit extends downward from the water capture structure. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which at least one property of water at the depth differs substantially from that of water at the surface. The at least one conduit is configured to provide thermal energy to water outside of the at least one conduit. The at least one conduit has at least one conduit wall.

Abstract: Arrangement for transferring heat energy from a unit like heat power plant (1) which produces heat energy or from heat source locating in the nature, like from sea to a unit which utilizes heat energy, in which arrangement heat energy is transferred through a pipe system (2, 3),(16) and water functions mainly as a heat transfer medium. Heat energy is transferred at such a delivery temperature of the heat transfer medium—at least at a temperature of +20 ° C., but under 60° C.—that in order to utilize the heat energy the above mentioned temperature has to be changed with the help of a heat pump (8) to be suitable for utilisation.

Abstract: A ground source heat transfer system circulates transfer fluid between heat exchange units and a ground loop. The system includes a bypass which allows the transfer fluid to continue to circulate past the exchange units while bypassing the ground loop. Monitoring the conditions of the system with temperature sensors allows the system to selectively activate the bypass whenever diverting fluid away from the ground loop can save heat or energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ground circuit in a low-energy system, said ground circuit comprising a connection pipeline (3), collection pipe system (2) and a return pipeline (4) for circulating a transfer fluid. The ground circuit is utilized for transferring thermal energy recovered from its surroundings, for instance, to a heat pump (5) or the like. The present ground circuit collection pipe system (2) is characterized by consisting of a hollow profile (6) arranged to be a coil, whereby the hollow profile is connected at its first end to a connection pipeline (3) for conveying the transfer fluid along the hollow profile from the first coil end to the second, and at the second end of the coil the second end of the hollow profile is connected to the return pipeline (4) for conveying the transfer fluid from the hollow profile towards the place where used. At the opposite ends of this hollow profile there are advantageously arranged means for controlling the fluid flow provided therein.

Abstract: A system designed to introduce fresh air ventilation into the living space, eliminate contaminants, and add fresh air to augment a building's HVAC system. This is done in order to save energy, and the costs associated with heat loss in a building. The system employs the use of geothermal energy conferred to air via a cavity which is constructed in the basement, on the slab, in the crawl space and/or attic of a building. This cavity is created to circulate to absorb the geo and/or solar characteristics of a building, taking advantage of the consistent subterranean temperature of the earth and/or sun, in order to warm air from outside during the winter minimizing a heat sink, and cool air during the summer. One or more heat exchangers are used to transfer the energy from contaminated air in the cavity to clean air destined for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A geosolar temperature control construction for buildings and method of controlling building temperature by using both geo-exchange and solar means.

Abstract: An earth loop heat transfer system which, in certain aspects, has a heat transfer loop for providing heat transfer fluid to facilitate production of hydrocarbons from an earth formation; in certain aspects, to facilitate the production of sluggish crude that remains in a formation following known production methods.

Abstract: A temperature controlling system for buildings is provided. A temperature conditioned perimeter cavity extends around the structure and maintains desired temperature within the structure. The perimeter cavity is insulated and provided an energy storing medium of air, fill material or baffles. The perimeter cavity is temperature conditioned by transfer of energy to the perimeter cavity, particularly by exchange from the perimeter foundation below the perimeter cavity, by geothermal exchange from a below ground energy storage container or energy collecting probe, or a combination of both. The system is applied to a grain silo having an insulated first grain silo forming an outside wall member and a smaller circumference second grain silo forming an inside wall with a temperature conditioned perimeter cavity defined between the two grain silos.

Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

Abstract: A method and device for installing a tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground. A drill rod includes a hook for removably mounting the heat exchange tube for positioning the tube in the hole bored in the ground by the drill bit. The tube may be inserted into the bored hole once the drill is removed therefrom, mounted to the tube and then reinserted into the hole. Alternatively, the tube is mounted to the drill rod as the hole is being bored.

Abstract: An offshore hydrocarbon cooling system is provided. The system includes one or more hydrocarbon process fluid heat exchangers arranged in heat exchange communication between a hydrocarbon process fluid and a cooling medium fluid, a cooling medium fluid distribution pipe system connected to the hydrocarbon process fluid heat exchangers, and a subsea cooling unit for cooling the cooling medium fluid. The subsea cooling unit includes an inlet and an outlet arranged in fluid communication with the cooling medium fluid distribution pipe system, one or more subsea cooling modules, a first conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the subsea cooling module(s) and a second conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the subsea cooling module(s) and the outlet. Each cooling module comprises a plurality of cooling pipes configured in heat exchange relationship with surrounding seawater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground heat exchanger to be positioned in a borehole (1) in the ground. The ground heat exchanger (2) comprises a flow leg (3) and a heat exchanger leg (4). Yet further the ground heat exchanger (2) comprises a refilling pipe (9) that is permanently attached to a lower part of the ground heat exchanger (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fluids using the Earth's inner heat to generate power and desalinate water. Fluids include fresh water and sea water to be desalinized. The method involves passing a filtered fluid down a channel formed by two concentric tubes in a deep well defining inner and outer channels, to a depth at which the fluid reaches the needed temperature. Hot fluids pass into an inner channel and flow to surface with small heat loss, through an insulated pipe. The hot fluid may be vaporized to produce power, and returned to the system when condensed, forming a closed system, or it may be desalinize seawater in an integrated process that also produces electrical power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system which can be used to air-condition buildings and other useable areas used by humans, in a completely self-sufficient manner.

Abstract: A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transferring heat energy between a heat exchanging subsystem installed above the surface of the Earth, and material beneath the surface of the Earth, by installing one or more coaxial-flow heat exchanging structures in the material beneath the surface of the Earth. Each coaxial-flow heat exchanging structure has inner and out flow channels along which aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is circulated. Turbulence is generated in the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along the outer flow channel, to increase the rate of heat energy transfer between the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and material beneath the surface of the Earth along the length of the outer flow channel.

Abstract: An energy producing device is provided that includes a heat exchanger section to provide a heat exchange material, and a thermal riser to receive the heat exchange material from the heat exchange section and to heat the heat exchange material based on a down-hole resource. The thermal riser may include: an outer spiral pipe to circulate the heat exchange material in a downward manner, and an inner return pipe provided inside the outer spiral pipe to receive the heat exchange material from the outer pipe after passing through the spiral pipe.

Abstract: A method and device for installing a tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground. A drill rod includes a hook for removably mounting the heat exchange tube for positioning the tube in the hole bored in the ground by the drill bit. The tube may be inserted into the bored hole once the drill is removed therefrom, mounted to the tube and then reinserted into the hole. Alternatively, the tube is mounted to the drill rod as the hole is being bored.

Abstract: A geothermal energy transfer system has a heat transfer loop associated with a heat pump and a heat absorption loop to circulate fluid through an energy source, such as the ground or body of water. The loops are connected through a reservoir and each loop has a circulating pump to circulate fluid through respective loops. The flow rates of the pumps are selected to optimise energy transfer in each loops and differences in the flow rates are absorbed in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a downhole heat exchanger for extracting geothermal energy from a borehole, wherein the inner surface of the exchanger tube comprises the following roughness values: a) an arithmetic mean roughness Ra according to DIN EN ISO 4287 in the range of 1 to 15 ?m, b) an averaged roughness Rz according to DIN EN ISO 4287 in the range of 8 to 80 ?m, and c) a maximum roughness depth Rz1 max according to DIN EN ISO 4287 in the range of 10 to 500 ?m, comprising an improved precipitation film during operation, such that the entire surface of the exchanger tube is uniformly wetted.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for producing geothermal energy. The techniques include extracting geothermal energy from regions in a reservoir so as to reduce the stress in proximate regions. The geothermal energy is extracted from the proximate regions, and the extraction of geothermal energy is staged across subsequent regions in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 5 or more pipes, wherein further, said 5 or more pipes comprising said conduit are arranged to be contiguous, arranged to be separated, or arranged so that said 5 or more pipes comprising said conduit have both contiguous pipes and separated pipes; wherein further, at least one of said 5 or more pipes is a centrally located pipe, further provided that the functions of said centrally located pipe include, but are not limited to, serving as a conduit for a tremie pipe, serving as a support pipe, serving as an insulating pipe or serving as a tremie pipe.

Abstract: A modular, stackable, geothermal block system for use as a subterranean or submarine heat exchanger in a geothermal energy system which provides a heating/cooling means to an external load. The stackable blocks, which can be filled with a fluid and/or material of generally high heat retention characteristics or precast in such material, contain one or more continuous passageways that extend from the top face of the block through the opposing face, through which a rigid structural heat exchange tube, fabricated from material of high thermal conductivity, is placed. The blocks are stacked one upon another and slidably mounted on the tube(s). Each tube contains a helically wound, thermal transfer tubing comprising one leg of a U-shape configured loop. Each stackable block can contain multiple paired passageways permitting more than one U-shape loop within the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 2 or more pipes, wherein said 2 or more pipes are twisted together, wherein further that said 2 or more twisted pipes are twisted around a central pipe, further provided that the functions of said central pipe include, but are not limited to, serving as a conduit for a tremie pipe, serving as a support pipe, serving as an insulating pipe or serving as a tremie pipe.

Abstract: A distributed energy storage or community energy storage unit incorporates a geothermal temperature regulation system. The system includes a sealed, chemically inert storage energy container or “pack” disposed within an underground chamber. The underground chamber is defined by a support structure or box pad 14 that includes side walls and a top or pad. Mechanical and electrical interfaces both to the utility connections and to the CES converter unit are also included.

Abstract: A soil penetrating plate to position a flexible geothermal conduit loop in spoil is described. The soil penetrating plate has a leading soil penetrating formation which is provided with hook arrangements to hook an end loop portion of a conduit loop. The soil penetrating plate is securable to a force transmitting shaft or cable to displace the soil penetrating plate in soil whereby to position the conduit loop thereinto.

Abstract: An apparatus for water reclamation includes an inlet head for admitting warm humid ambient air, a buried pipe coupled at a first end to the inlet head and sloping downward in the ground from the first end. Water condenses as the air is cooled in the buried pipe and collects in a cistern coupled at a second end of the buried pipe. A tube coupled at a lower end near the second end of the buried pipe includes a heated element extending at least partially into the tube from an upper end of the tube. Cooled air is heated by the heated element and is expelled at the top of the tube. A heater is coupled to an upper end of the heated element. The heater may be a solar collector with a Bernoulli aperture.

Abstract: A geothermal heat exchanger, comprising an inner tube bounding a first passage for a flowing heat exchanger fluid. The inner tube has one or more ribs on an outer side thereof. The inner tube and the one or more ribs are integrally formed by extrusion and entirely made of a thermally-insulating synthetic foamed material. The geothermal heat exchanger further comprises an outer tube made of thermally-conductive material concentrically positioned around the inner tube. The one or more ribs abut a first surface of the outer tube, and the inner tube and the outer tube cooperate to define an annular space which forms a second passage for the flowing heat exchanger fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-cylindrical solar collecting apparatus for a solar boiler that is provided with a plurality of solar collecting plates having a semi-cylindrical shape, thereby greatly enhancing solar collecting efficiencies, and that connects a plurality of heat-exchanging pipes adapted to be heated by the plurality of solar collecting plates with an underground heat-exchanging pipe by means of auxiliary pipes, such that water is circulated well by means of a circulation pump, thereby completely solving the frozen and burst problems of the heat-exchanging pipes and circulation pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space. The hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth. The drill string is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: ‘Underground Thermal Battery Storage System’ using a battery structure of one or more underground thermally insulated cells, where each cell comprised of a waterproof thermal insulation shell, one or more fluid storage tanks and earth matrix. The thermal storage cell's fluid storage tanks are interconnected using a thermal fluid transport system with control valves, circulating pumps, and managed by a programmable controller. The programmable controller uses the cell sensors to determine cell status, control cell interconnections, and to manage the thermal charging and discharging by exterior heating or cooling devices. A moisture injection system is provided to control the thermal conductivity within the cell's earth matrix.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing thermal energy, having at least one subterranean chamber for holding a first fluid, wherein a passage holding a second fluid is extended outside at least a part of the at last one chamber. The at least one channel is arranged to allow fluid communication of the first fluid between different sections of the chamber, and/or in that at least one channel is arranged to allow fluid communication of the second fluid between different sections of the passage. A method is also disclosed for improving an arrangement for storing thermal energy having the steps of providing at least one channel within the arrangement.

Abstract: A heat exchanger module for thermally coupling a first fluid and second fluid is disclosed. The heat exchanger module comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, each of which is fluidically coupled to a common seawater inlet and a common seawater outlet. The heat exchanger module is dimensioned and arranged for integrating with an OTEC system located on an offshore platform that is deployed in a body of water. The heat exchanger module physically and fluidically couples with ports included in pontoons attached to the offshore platform. The ports are individually controllable so that the module can be added or removed from the OTEC system without interrupting operation of other heat exchanger modules integrated with the OTEC system.

Abstract: A geothermal energy system including a heat pump. The system includes a first manifold and a second manifold and a plurality of pipes. Each manifold includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A single orifice is defined in the first end and a plurality of orifices are defined in the second end. Each of the orifices in the second end define a terminus of a tube extension. Each tube extension is configured an angular distance from an adjacent tube extension. Each tube extension is orientated such that the longitudinal center line of each tube extension intersects at a point on the longitudinal center line of the single orifice defined in the first end of the housing. The first and second manifolds and the plurality of pipes are in fluid communication with the heat pump and configured to transfer thermal energy with a geothermal energy source.

Abstract: A self sustaining energy system for a building is provided part of which is typically driven by geothermal energy. The energy system typically uses a ground source heat pump for heating and cooling the building airspace and an organic Rankine cycle drive for producing electricity. A solar powered heating system may also serve as a heat source for providing domestic hot water and supplemental airspace heating.

Abstract: The present invention is a geothermal heat exchanger with a first exchanger, being a return loop inside a geothermal well. The first exchanger is provided for circulating a refrigerant for harvesting heat from the ground surrounding the geothermal well by conduction and convection. A second exchanger, also placed within the geothermal well, is formed from material with high heat transfer coefficient, and also adapted to harvest heat from the ground surrounding the geothermal well by conduction and convection. The first exchanger is completely encased within the second exchanger, and the second exchanger is placed in direct contact with ground surrounding the geothermal well. The outer walls of the first exchanger abut inner walls of the second exchanger along an entire length of the second exchanger. The first exchanger is a copper pipe, and the second exchanger is a housing made of non-ferrous metal with a high thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: An earth loop heat transfer system which, in certain aspects, has a heat transfer loop extending down into the earth and having a first portion, a second portion, and a bottom portion at a first level in the earth, heat transfer fluid flowable down to the bottom portion and up therefrom and in the second portion to the earth surface, and valve apparatus in the heat transfer loop for controlling flow of heat transfer fluid; and, in one aspect, such a system combined with a rig useful in well operations for supplying heat transfer fluid for use on the rig, either from a loop or loops with portion(s) in water or portion(s) in earth, or both.

Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction, a relay heat equalizer, a first fluid transmission duct disposed between the relay heat equalizer and the installation and having a first fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a second fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the relay heat equalizer and having a second fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump and a relay pump respectively connected in series with the first and second fluid transmission ducts for pumping the first and second fluid, and a control means controlling the pump to pump the first fluid through the relay heat equalizer, the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation, and to pump the second fluid through the relay heat equalizer, the second fluid transmission duct and the heat equalizer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a telecom utility cabinet including a heat load chamber. The telecom utility cabinet also includes an air introducing duct configured to conduct air from the heat load chamber to a geothermal cooling system. The telecom utility cabinet also includes an air discharging duct configured to conduct air from the geothermal cooling system to the heat load chamber. In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a method for managing temperature in a telecom utility cabinet. The method includes introducing air from a heat load chamber to a geothermal cooling system and discharging air from the geothermal cooling system to the heat load chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure includes an air-based geothermal cooling system for a telecom utility cabinet. The air-based geothermal cooling system includes a plurality of heat exchange tubes configured to extend into an underground environment. The air-based geothermal cooling system also includes an input/output (I/O) manifold coupled to the plurality of heat exchange tubes and providing an airway between the plurality of heat exchange tubes and the telecom utility cabinet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a telecom utility cabinet and an air-based geothermal cooling system for the telecom utility cabinet. The air-based geothermal cooling system forms an air circulation loop that receives air from the telecom utility cabinet and returns cooled air to the telecom utility cabinet. In another embodiment, an air-based geothermal cooling system for a telecom utility cabinet is provided. The air-based geothermal cooling system comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes configured to extend into an underground environment. The plurality of heat exchange tubes are part of an air circulation loop configured to receive air from the telecom utility cabinet and to return cooled air to the telecom utility cabinet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a telecom utility cabinet and an air-based geothermal cooling system for the telecom utility cabinet. The system also includes a leak detector for the air-based geothermal cooling system. In another embodiment, a method includes detecting a leak in an air-based geothermal cooling system. The method also includes activating a liquid pump for the air-based geothermal cooling system in response to the leak detection.

Abstract: A pipe arrangement for geothermal probes includes at least two pipes having at least one layer each that surrounds a lumen. One of the pipes functions as inflow pipe and the other pipe functions as return flow pipe. At least one of the pipes is produced at least in part from a non cross-linked polymer material and is distinguished in that the polymer material of the at least one layer for the pipes has a FNCT value (full notched creep test) according to ISO 16770 of at least 3000 hours.

Abstract: There is disclosed a subsea cooler for the cooling of a fluid flowing in a subsea flow line. The subsea cooler comprises an inlet and an outlet which are connectable to the subsea flow line and at least two cooling sections arranged in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet of the subsea cooler. Each cooling section includes a plurality of cooling pipes which are configured such that they exchange heat energy with the surrounding sea water when the subsea cooler is in use. The subsea cooler is further provided with valve means such that the flow of fluid through the cooling sections may be regulated individually.

Abstract: The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat equalizer and the fluid transmission duct disposed in a heat carrier existing in solid state in the nature where presents comparatively larger and more stable heat carrying capacity for passing through the fluid. The fluid passes through the solid or gas state semiconductor application installation to regulate temperature equalization of the semiconductor application installation and flows back to the heat equalization installation disposed in the natural heat carrier for the heat equalization installation providing good heat conduction in the natural heat carrier to provide the operation of temperature equalization regulating function on the backflow of the fluid, and through the heat equalizer to transfer thermal energy to the heat storing block constituted by the surrounding natural heat carrier so as to store heat for releasing thermal energy to the specified heat releasing target.

Abstract: A method for cooling a carrier fluid is provided. The carrier fluid is used to drive a turbine in an electric power plant. According to a first embodiment, at least part of a cooling process is performed by leading the carrier fluid and/or a cooling fluid for cooling the carrier fluid underground a soil to a depth in which the soil is substantially cooler than the ambient air. According to a second embodiment, at least part of a cooling process is performed by supplying at least some of the carrier fluid, and/or at least some of a cooling fluid used to cool the carrier fluid, from a cold storage which stores fluid at a significantly lower temperature than the temperature of the carrier fluid in the turbine.

Abstract: A geo-cooling system of specified cooling capacity for cooling a known heat load is disclosed. The system includes a cool water aquifer, a cool water production well and a heated water injection well. The cool water production well is open to the cool water aquifer and in hydrologic communication with a subterranean heat exchange area that provides requisite cooling capacity to a known heat load. The heated water injection well is in hydrologic communication with the subterranean heat exchange area and open to the cool water aquifer at a prescribed distance from the cool water production well. The prescribed distance between the cool water production well and the heated water injection well is at least based on the available size of a subterranean heat exchange area including a portion of the cool water aquifer that hydrologically communicates between the heated water injection well and the cool water production well.

Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction to exchange heat with the natural heat carrier, a fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the installation and having a fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump connected in series with the fluid transmission duct for pumping the fluid, and a control means controlling an operation of temperature equalization system. The control means controls the pump to pump the fluid through the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation.