US4458492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the recovery of geothermal energy
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
•
Filing: 1978-03-27
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Granted: 1984-07-10
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Expires: 1998-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for the recovery of geothermal energy from subterranean formations comprising injecting a thermally stable, non-corrosive, non-aqueous fluid into said formation to absorb heat; recovering the heated fluid from the formation; and, recovering heat energy from the heated fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Ziegenhain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:37
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/20; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of heating a fluid in a brine-containing geothermal reservoir formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) introducing an organic fluid having a low solubility in water into the formation through the said injection well, (b) forcing the said organic fluid through the said formation thereby heating the said fluid, (c) recovering the said heated organic fluid substantially free of brine through the said production well and wherein the temperature of the said geothermal reservoir formation is substantially above the temperature of the fluid introduced into the formation in step (a).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of heating a fluid in a brine-containing geothermal reservoir formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) introducing an organic fluid having a low solubility in water into the formation through the said injection well, (b) forcing the said organic fluid through the said formation thereby heating the said fluid, (c) recovering the said heated organic fluid substantially free of brine through the said production well and wherein the temperature of the said geothermal reservoir formation is substantially above the temperature of the fluid introduced into the formation in step (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is a normally liquid hydrocarbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is a normally liquid hydrocarbon having from 4 to 10 inclusive carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is selected from the group consisting of propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane and isomers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the said organic fluid is n-propane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is n-butane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is isobutane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said organic fluid is pentane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein prior to step (a) the formation in the said injection well is hydraulically fractured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein prior to step (a) the formation in both the said injection well and in the said production well is hydraulically fractured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3864917A
Cited
US3827243A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-10 | 1988-01-09 | 1988-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-10 | 1992-01-09 | 1992-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-10 | 1996-01-09 | 1996-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |