Energy from subterranean reservoir fluid
US8215104B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/16
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.