System and method for producing geothermal energy
US8820075B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for extracting geαthermal heat from neighboring or proximate/ones in a fractured rock formation. The extraction of heat may be performed by cycling between injection and production using separate wells for each zone and offsetting the injection-production cycles between neighboring zones, for example, by keeping the injection-production cycle;* for neighboring zones out of phase with each other. The techniques provide for improved heal recover}’ from rock volumes while decreasing the size of buffer/ones between neighboring/ones, her example, in exemplary embodiments of the present techniques, proximate zones may be within 1000 meters, or even less, of each other. Accordingly, the zones do not have to be totally isolated from each other. The methods and systems described herein may help to impede cross-flow between the zones while minimizing waste heat (and well separation) from unutilized rock layers left between wells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.