Abstract: An apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles, wherein the apparatus has a charging module, wherein the charging module is operatively connected to a cooling component, wherein the cooling component is designed in such a way that, for the purpose of carrying away the waste heat from the charging module, a medium which carries along the waste heat is transported through a line which is routed in the ground.

Abstract: A horizontal sump for producing high quality steam, includes at least one inlet, for connection to an evaporator, for receiving steam and contaminated water from the evaporator, the evaporator having a tube side and a shell side. The horizontal sump further includes at least one steam outlet for feeding steam to an evaporator compressor. The at least one steam outlet further includes at least one wash tray, for washing any entrained brine from the steam prior to introduction of the steam to the evaporator compressor, wherein the horizontal sump increases residence time of water and steam in the sump resulting in a steam of quality greater than that of the steam from the steam and contaminated water from the evaporator.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a method of generating steam for the recovery of hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon producing system including (i) generating supercritical steam from water; (ii) converting the supercritical steam to a subcritical steam; and (iii) injecting the subcritical steam into the system.

Abstract: The method of controlling the saturation level of a gaseous state fluid generated at an outlet of a gaseous state fluid generation system comprises measuring a reference parameter of the fluid other than the saturation level itself, with the reference parameter being representative of the saturation level, and selectively superheating the fluid as a response to the measured reference parameter until the reference parameter falls within an acceptable range of reference parameter values.

Abstract: In a direct drill bit drive for tools for comminuting brittle materials and penetrating into brittle materials by percussive impact on the basis of a heat engine operated with a gaseous working medium, the heat engine is a hot gas engine operating in accordance with a real Stirling cycle process.

Abstract: An energy transfer system for transferring energy between the earth and a facility comprising a well bore at least partially filled with groundwater, a center pipe having a top end and a bottom end disposed in the well bore and having a plurality of apertures for allowing the ingress and egress of groundwater, a pump disposed within the center pipe for facilitating a flow of groundwater through the apertures, and a closed source loop disposed in the well bore, the source loop including at least one source loop pipe extending adjacent the center pipe in said well bore and containing a working fluid for absorbing or transmitting thermal energy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recovering and using geothermal energy. Such methods include at least partially vaporizing a working fluid by passing it through a flow loop that at least partially extends into a heated subterranean zone and employing the vaporized working fluid to power a turbine. At least a portion of the flow loop can comprise a depleted or partially depleted hydrocarbon well.

Abstract: A power systems utilizing at least two heat source streams with substantially different initial temperatures, where the systems include a simple vaporization, separation, and energy extraction subsystem, a recycle subsystem, and a condensation and pressurization subsystem and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A hot dry rock generation system, having: a recharge well that is formed from the ground to an underground hot dry rock into which a heat carrier streams through the recharge well; a production well that is formed from the underground hot dry rock from which the heated heat carrier is streams through the production well; a power generation plant that converts the thermal energy of the heat carrier streaming out of, into electric energy; a collecting tank that stores the heat carrier discharged from the power generation plant; a sealing water pump that sucks the heat carrier collected in the collecting tank and makes the heat carrier stream into the recharge well, whereby the hot dry rock generation system is provided with a heat exchanger into which the heat carrier streaming out of the production well streams.

Abstract: The Geothermal Wind System is a hybrid power production system using geothermal transfer of heat between native rock and an air mass circulating between two or more portals of substantially different vertical elevations by use of the stack effect and the buoyancy of heated air or gravity pulling cooled air to turn one or more wind turbines which drive one or more generators. This wind speed can be improved by use of a venturi valve in close proximity to the turbine(s). A novel example of an aerodynamic, adjustable radial venturi is also herein incorporated. Two modes of the GWS are herein described, one used at shallow depths having geothermal temperatures approximating the average exterior climate, and the second used with geothermal temperatures found at greater depths at substantially higher than outside temperatures. The GWS is a non-polluting, non-carbon burning, non-water-dependent power production system easily implemented in third world countries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar assisted combined cycle power plant having a compressor that pressurizes combustion air, a combustor that mixes and burns the combustion air and gas turbine fuel to generate a high-temperature combustion gas, a gas turbine that drives the compressor by using the combustion gas, an exhaust heat recovery steam generator that obtains steam from thermal energy of a gas exhausted from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine that is driven by using the steam obtained by the exhaust heat recovery steam generator. The solar assisted combined cycle power plant includes a solar collector to turn supplied water to warm water; a heat accumulator that stores pressurized hot water from the solar collector and the exhaust heat recovery steam generator; and a spray device that handles the pressurized hot water as spray water and sprays the spray water onto the air to be taken into the compressor.

Abstract: An online diagnostic system for a geothermal generation facility is discloses that includes an automatic steam measurement device for measuring a characteristic of steam to be supplied to a steam turbine from a steam-water separator at the geothermal generation facility that outputs analysis data. A monitor-control device controls an operation of the geothermal generation facility while monitoring the geothermal generation facility. A diagnostic device performs at least one of an evaluation of a steam characteristic at the geothermal generation facility, an evaluation of the steam-water separator, and an evaluation of pulsation and confluence of a production well based on the analysis data from the automatic steam measurement device and performance data of the geothermal generation facility from the monitor-control device. An operating status of the geothermal generation facility is diagnosed.

Abstract: Two Geothermal energy harnessing devices, steam producing System, electricity production Method and heat energy Method are invented for mining renewable geothermal heat energy within a non-polluting, re-circulating, closed cycle intended for electricity generating applications or for other direct or indirect heat uses. The devices, the “Geothermal Energy Collector” and the “Geothermal Energy Exchanger” can work with a Depressurized Mixing Container and a Pressurized Storage Container the entirety of which comprises “THE GEOTHERMAL FLUID HEATING OR STEAM PRODUCTION SYSTEM. The system serves other equipment, such as a phase separator, steam turbine, generator and condenser, which working together with the system comprises either “THE GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION METHOD” or “THE GEOTHERMAL HEAT ENERGY METHOD”.

Abstract: A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which to reciprocally rotate the platform; b) a first container located on the platform on one side and a second container located on the other side of the platform; c) a solar reflector located adjacent each container; d) a connecting tube connecting the first and second containers; e) an evaporative fluid contained within at least one of the containers; f) a roof above the platform with a window located above each of the containers; g) shutter devices at each of the windows; and b) shutter device controls to activate the shutter devices to present alternating exposure of sunlight and shading at each of the containers to effect reciprocal movement.

Abstract: A zero-emissions power plant receives natural gas from wells at elevated pressure and temperature. Gas is expanded through one or more turbo-expanders, preferably reformed, and sent to a fuel cell where electricity, heat, carbon-dioxide, and water are generated. The carbon-dioxide is compressed by at least one compressor and piped downhole for sequestration. The turbo-expanders have shafts which preferably share the shafts of the compressors. Thus, energy given up by the natural gas in the turbo-expanders is used to run compressors which compress carbon dioxide for downhole sequestration. In one embodiment, the natural gas is applied to heat exchangers in order to generate a stream of liquid natural gas. The remainder of the gas is expanded through the turbo-expanders and processed in the reformer prior to being sent to the fuel cell. A shifter may be used between the reformer and fuel cell. A solid oxide fuel cell is preferred.

Abstract: Novel carbon dioxide-based geothermal energy generation systems, i.e., carbon plume geothermal (CPG) systems, and methods are provided. With the novel systems and methods described herein, geothermal energy can now be provided at lower temperatures and at locations other than hot, dry rock formations, without negatively impacting the surrounding area through use of large-scale hydrofracturing. Use of a carbon dioxide-based geothermal system further provides a means for sequestering and storing excess carbon dioxide, rather than having it released to the atmosphere.

Abstract: One or more systems for generating shaft horsepower by using waste heat from combustion exhaust are provided herein. The system can include a heat recovery silencer, a turbine, a compressor, a combustion source, and a control system.

Abstract: A geothermal power system for production of power, and in particular electrical energy, utilizing naturally occurring geothermal energy sources and a method for identifying and converting manmade and natural geological formations into a substantial source of energy and at the same time providing remediation of environmental and safety hazards. Utilizing surface air that is substantially cooler than the geothermal temperature of the subterranean cavern an induced air flow will be produced. This naturally induced air flow will be harnessed and provide the energy to the system power plants for production of electrical energy. The system includes a hydro electric power system, a geothermal well, heat recovery systems, a source of renewable biomass material, and air and water remediation systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for utilizing supercritical subsurface steam as combined supercritical thermal and hydraulic power stations at an efficiency of 50 percent, using molten bath superdeep drilling technology, a hydrofrac process, and the special properties of the supercritical subsurface steam, such as the drastic increase in the thermal capacity, reduced viscosity, and inorganic solubility. The multifunctional use of said technologies and physical properties of supercritical subsurface steam in the inventive method allows a supercritical subsurface boiler to be tapped rapidly and at a low cost at a great depth while making it possible to produce electricity, power, process steam, and heat almost anywhere at one tenth of the cost of conventional fuel technologies and comparable expenses.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system of geothermal energy production containing a production fluid circulated entirely within a continuous subterranean pipeline (13 and 16) while below the earth's surface (11) so that the production fluid is heated, via the encasing pipe, by surrounding subterranean hot rock (12). By directing the heated production fluid through said continuous subterranean pipeline up to the earth's surface and through a power plant (19), energy can be produced from the hot production fluid. This system enables energy production from subterranean rock formations of moderate temperature at moderate depths because any production fluid, such as water, hydrocarbon, or refrigerant, can be used to optimize energy production. Furthermore, natural porosity and permeability of the subterranean rock formations at moderate depths may provide sufficient natural circulation of interstitial water to assist in heat transfer from large volumes of hot rock without the need of inducing artificial fractures.

Abstract: Extracting energy from a naturally-occurring underground hot rock formation includes enabling fluid to flow, at least partially under the influence of gravity, through a fluid injection well to the hot rock formation, converting the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid into electricity, using at least a portion of the generated electricity to preheat the fluid before it reaches the hot rock formation, heating the fluid with the hot rock formation and, subsequently, extracting energy from the heated fluid for use in connection with an application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for extracting and/or utilizing thermal energy from rock formations. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system includes a collection of water at a first elevation, an aquifer at a second elevation lower than the first elevation and one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid communication between the collection of water and the aquifer. A turbine-generator is in one of the fluid communication channels to convert kinetic energy of fluid that has flown out of the collection of water into electrical energy. A fluid collection area is downstream of the turbine-generator that at least temporarily collects fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator. An injection pump is provided to pump fluid that has accumulated in the collection area into the aquifer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for utilizing supercritical subsurface steam as combined supercritical thermal and hydraulic power stations at an efficiency of 50 percent, using molten bath superdeep drilling technology, a hydrofrac process, and the special properties of the supercritical subsurface steam, such as the drastic increase in the thermal capacity, reduced viscosity, and inorganic solubility. The multifunctional use of said technologies and physical properties of supercritical subsurface steam in the inventive method allows a supercritical subsurface boiler to be tapped rapidly and at a low cost at a great depth while making it possible to produce electricity, power, process steam, and heat almost anywhere at one tenth of the cost of conventional fuel technologies and comparable expenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for using a hole to generate power via geo-saturation of secondary working fluids. One system includes a plurality of conduits/tubulars/exchangers, a thermal hydraulic engine, power generation equipment, organic compound secondary working fluid, thermally conditioned fill material, a condenser, a cooling apparatus, and a fluid pump.

Abstract: A geothermal power system for production of power, and in particular electrical energy, utilizing naturally occurring geothermal energy sources and a method for identifying and converting manmade and natural geological formations into a substantial source of energy and at the same time providing remediation of environmental and safety hazards. Utilizing surface air that is substantially cooler than the geothermal temperature of the subterranean cavern an induced air flow will be produced. This naturally induced air flow will be harnessed and provide the energy to the system power plants for production of electrical energy. The system includes a hydro-electric power system, a geothermal well, underground farms, heat recovery systems, a source of renewable biomass material, and air and water remediation systems.

Abstract: A zero-emissions power plant receives natural gas from wells at elevated pressure and temperature. Gas is expanded through one or more turbo-expanders, preferably reformed, and sent to a fuel cell where electricity, heat, carbon-dioxide, and water are generated. The carbon-dioxide is compressed by at least one compressor and piped downhole for sequestration. The turbo-expanders have shafts which preferably share the shafts of the compressors. Thus, energy given up by the natural gas in the turbo-expanders is used to run compressors which compress carbon dioxide for downhole sequestration. In one embodiment, the natural gas is applied to heat exchangers in order to generate a stream of liquid natural gas. The remainder of the gas is expanded through the turbo-expanders and processed in the reformer prior to being sent to the fuel cell. A shifter may be used between the reformer and fuel cell. A solid oxide fuel cell is preferred.

Abstract: A geothermal power system for production of power, and in particular electrical energy, utilizing naturally occurring geothermal energy sources and a method for identifying and converting manmade and natural geological formations into a substantial source of energy and at the same time providing remediation of environmental and safety hazards. Utilizing surface air that is substantially cooler than the geothermal temperature of the subterranean cavern an induced air flow will be produced. This naturally induced air flow will be harnessed and provide the energy to the system power plants for production of electrical energy. The system includes a hydroelectric power system, a geothermal well, underground farms, heat recovery systems, a source of renewable biomass material, and air and water remediation systems.

Abstract: A system for producing electricity by pumping a mixture of melted sodium/potassium metals through tubing within the walls of equipment which extends downward to the geothermal zone of the earth. The mixture of melted metals passes through a first heat exchange area producing steam, then passes downward through an insulated low pressure vacuum area from where it is pumped from the tubing into a high pressure, super conductive heat transfer zone at the bottom of the equipment located in the geothermal zone. The geothermal heated mixture of melted metals passes through insulated tubing in the insulated vacuum area into a super heat exchange area passing through water forming steam and into a super steamer producing super heated steam. The super heated steam passes through a line into turbines producing electricity.

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: Vapour turbine operating with geothermal vapours containing corrosive agents or aggressive substances such as chlorides and/or sulfides in particular. The turbine comprises a series of stator blades and a series of rotor blades, each stator blade of the series of stator blades comprises a surfacing consisting of a nickel alloy containing a quantity of nickel ranging from 54% to 58% by weight to avoid the washing of the geothermal vapours, at the same time maintaining a high useful life of the series of stator blades and vapour turbine.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a geothermal roadway utility grid is presented. This system allows the average home or other structure to be tied into an existing geothermal “grid” constructed along, adjacent to or underneath a nearby roadway. The user need not invest in the geothermal infrastructure necessary outside the home to enable a geothermal system inside the home. The user, instead, is responsible for creating the section of the geothermal system that exists in the interior infrastructure. In one embodiment of the invention, the roadway system comprises at least one distribution flow line having a forward line for a first phase and a return flow line for a circulatory second phase. The distribution flow line is coupled to any point along a main flow line. The main flow line is buried along a roadway and to a sufficient depth within an earthly body for converting the first and second phases.

Abstract: A directional geothermal energy system and method helps to increase control in paths to be taken by geo-fluid flow through hot rock to create engineered geothermal reservoirs and networks to mine heat from hot rock resources. The system uses directional drilling techniques to create a spanning borehole extending between an injection borehole and a production borehole. The spanning borehole typically extends through hot rock for a distance on the order of kilometers to allow the geo-fluid flowing through the spanning borehole adequate transit time and surface contact to obtain sufficient heat given a certain flow rate for the geo-fluid. In some implementations, multiple injection boreholes can supply geo-fluid to a single production borehole. Individual geo-fluid networks can be so sized, shaped, and located with respect to one another to form a collection of geo-fluid networks to mine heat from very large hot rock resources.

Abstract: An energy exchanger (2) is connected to an earth energy exchanger (18) via a flow line (10) and a return flow line (14). The flow line (10) and the return flow line (14) are both provided with a regulatable stop valve (12, 16). At least one heat-insulated flow pipe (20) is surrounded by a separation pipe (24) in a bore hole (22), whereby a return flow area (28) for circulatory water is connected thereto in a radially outward manner. The return flow area (28) contains at least one return flow pipe (30) connected to the return flow line (14) and a porous filling (38) in addition to being connected, at least on the base of the bore hole (22), to the lower inlet (46) of the flow pipe (20) or the lower inlets (46, 46a) of the flow pipes (20,20a) via one or several through openings (44) in the separation pipe (24).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using geothermal energy include the use of at least a first conduit, through which a working substance is carried downward into the interior of the Earth, at least one second conduit, through which the working substance is carried upward, in the direction of the surface of the Earth, with the first and second conduits form a closed system relative to the soil, wherein the working substance is carried downward into the interior of the Earth, and the throttling region throttles the largely liquid working substance upstream, in the flow direction, of the throttling region to a vaporization pressure, so that downstream of the throttling region the working substance is largely completely vaporizable.

Abstract: Studies of the variation in latent heat of fluids with temperature and the rate of heat increase with compression were applied to thermodynamic cycles represented in columns (190, 193, 199). This showed that heat may be circulated and that power output (194) can be boosted by catalysts. Practical layouts show that the present 45% efficiency of thermal power stations may be doubled. The invented layouts produce power from reject heat (185, 188) and saves the water required of cooling thermal power stations.

Abstract: Applicant's preferred embodiment utilizes municipal wastewater effluent to replenish a depleted geothermal field. Condensate produced by expanding steam produced in the geothermal field through a steam turbine-generator may be pooled with cooked water collected from said field, and then directed through a penstock from a higher elevation to a lower elevation where further energy is extracted through a traditional hydroelectric turbine-generator. The cooked water and condensate may be treated to produce potable water and/or distributed for public consumption either before or after being directed to the hydroelectric turbine-generator. The effluent is pumped up to the geothermal field during off-peak periods of electric consumption, and the hydroelectric generation is accomplished during periods of peak electric demand. A fraction of the effluent may be used as cooling water for the steam turbine-generator and its associated condenser before injection into the geothermal field.