US3765477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Geothermal-nuclear energy release and recovery system
Assignee: HUISEN A VAN
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A system for mining geothermal energy utilizing the detonation of a deeply buried nuclear device such as nuclear fusion bomb or a nuclear fission bomb to produce a chimney cavity and fractures in a rocky geothermal stratum. Heat exchange fluid is introduced into the cavity and is transferred to flood a higher permeable stratum closer to the surface of the earth. Heat exchangers are introduced into the flooded zone to transfer heat and energy to the surface for utilization.
Inventors
- 👤 Huisen A Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:37
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21J; G21J3/00; G21J3/02; F; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/20; G21D; G21D9/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A geothermal-nuclear energy recovery and distribution system comprising in combination: a fractured, highly permeable, rubble cone cavity formed in a geothermal strate having high heat flow and a mean temperature of at least 200* C by the detonation of a nuclear device within the cavity; a cap rock strate disposed above the cavity to contain radioactive gases and thermal energy and to prevent collapse and caving at the surface of the earth; injection well means extending from the surface of the earth to the cavity for introducing heat exchange fluid into the cavity and to transfer the geothermal and heat energy generated by the nuclear device to the fluid; transfer well means extending from the cavity through the cap rock strata to a higher, fluid permeable, sub-surface zone for flooding and heating the zone with the heated fluid; an upper and lower impermeable geological zone disposed above and below the heat flooded zone to restrict and contain the transferred heat exchange fluid within the flooded zone; heat recovery well means extending from the surface into the flooded zone; heat exchanger means having a closed end received within the terminus of the recovery well and extending into the heat flooded, permeable zone; and means for delivering a second heat exchange fluid to the heat exchanger and for conducting the heated second fluid to the surface of the earth for utilization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A geothermal-nuclear energy recovery and distribution system comprising in combination: a fractured, highly permeable, rubble cone cavity formed in a geothermal strate having high heat flow and a mean temperature of at least 200* C by the detonation of a nuclear device within the cavity; a cap rock strate disposed above the cavity to contain radioactive gases and thermal energy and to prevent collapse and caving at the surface of the earth; injection well means extending from the surface of the earth to the cavity for introducing heat exchange fluid into the cavity and to transfer the geothermal and heat energy generated by the nuclear device to the fluid; transfer well means extending from the cavity through the cap rock strata to a higher, fluid permeable, sub-surface zone for flooding and heating the zone with the heated fluid; an upper and lower impermeable geological zone disposed above and below the heat flooded zone to restrict and contain the transferred heat exchange fluid within the flooded zone; heat recovery well means extending from the surface into the flooded zone; heat exchanger means having a closed end received within the terminus of the recovery well and extending into the heat flooded, permeable zone; and means for delivering a second heat exchange fluid to the heat exchanger and for conducting the heated second fluid to the surface of the earth for utilization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said sub-surface permeable zone is no deeper than 500 feet from the surface and further including means for circulating heated fluid through said permeable sub-surface zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 2 in which the circulating means includes a plurality of said cavities disposed at spaced points underlying a surface community, each of said cavities being provided with an injection well and a transfer well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system accoRding to claim 2 in which said circulating means comprised at least one withdrawal well extending from the surface into the permeable subsurface zone for withdrawing fluid therefrom and at least one reinjection well extending from the surface into the cavity for receiving the withdrawn fluid and for reinjecting the withdrawn fluid into the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the geothermal strata has a mean temperature of from 500* C to 800* C and the strata is formed of a material selected from basalt, metamorphic and granite rock types.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1 further including pump means associated with said well means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 6 further including heat sensing means for sensing the heat content within the flooded subsurface permeable zone and for developing a signal indicative thereof and control means connected to said sensing means for selectively actuating said pump means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 4 including a plurality of withdrawal wells located near the periphery of the boundary of surface utilization and reinjection wells connected to said withdrawal wells for reinjecting the heated heat exchange fluid into the cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the transfer well means is lined with an impermeable conduit extending from said cavity at least to said fluid permeable zone and said conduit contains perforations adjacent said permeable zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 9 in which the conduit is lined with low thermal conductivity material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the outlet of said injection well means into said cavity is located near the top of the cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3294167A
Cited
US3470943A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |