Modular mobile heat generation unit for generation of geothermal power in organic Rankine cycle operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11486370-B2
Application number	US-202217657721-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 1, 2022
Priority date	Apr 2, 2021
Publication date	Nov 1, 2022
Grant date	Nov 1, 2022

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating electrical power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation include one or more heat exchangers incorporated into mobile heat generation units, and which will receive a heated fluid flow from one or more heat sources, and transfer heat therefrom to a working fluid that is circulated through an ORC unit for generation of power. In embodiments, the mobile heat generation units comprise pre-packaged modules with one or more heat exchangers connected to a pump of a recirculation system, including an array of piping, such that each mobile heat generation unit can be transported to the site and installed as a substantially stand-alone module or heat generation assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for generating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation, comprising:
at least one ORC unit configured to generate electrical power; and
at least one mobile heat generation unit in fluid communication with the at least one ORC unit and with one or more heat sources supplying a high pressure or high temperature fluid to the at least one mobile heat generation unit;
wherein the mobile heat generation unit is configured as a transportable module and comprises:
a frame having an upper portion, a lower portion and a plurality of sides defining a chamber;
at least one heat exchanger mounted within the chamber and connected to at least one of the one or more heat sources, the at least one heat exchanger mounted within the chamber at an elevated position adjacent the upper portion of the frame to facilitate access to the at least one heat exchanger from within the chamber and through the upper portion of the frame;
a fluid recirculation system at least partially located within the chamber and comprising:
a fluid intake conduit coupled to a return line in fluid communication with the at least one ORC unit for receiving a working fluid at a first temperature from the at least one ORC unit,
a fluid outlet conduit coupled to a heated fluid supply line in fluid communication with the at least one ORC unit for supplying the working fluid thereto, wherein the working fluid is output to the fluid supply line for supply to the ORC unit at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature,
a pump connected to the fluid intake conduit and configured to pump the working fluid received through the fluid intake conduit through the fluid recirculation system,
a piping array, including a first section of piping extending between the pump and the at least one heat exchanger for supplying the working fluid to the at least one heat exchanger, and a second section of piping extending between the at least one heat exchanger and the fluid outlet conduit,

wherein as the working fluid passes along the piping array and through the at least one heat exchanger, heat from the high pressure or high temperature fluid supplied to the at least one heat exchanger from the one or more heat sources is transferred to the working fluid so as to heat the working fluid to the second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, and
a controller positioned within the frame, the controller having programming configured to monitor temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof of the working fluid passing along a fluid recirculation loop defined between the mobile heat generation unit and the at least one ORC unit, and for regulating flow of the working fluid through the at least one heat exchanger for transfer of heat from the flow of the high pressure or high temperature fluid to the working fluid for supply to the at least one ORC unit.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit includes at least two heat exchangers configured to extract heat from a compressed gas, a heated exhaust gas, a heated liquid, or combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit further comprises an air separator along the second section of piping, the air separator configured to remove particulates from the working fluid.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit has a length of between approximately fifteen feet to approximately twenty feet.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit further comprises a plurality of cover panels positioned along the upper and lower portions and the sides of the frame, so as to substantially enclose the chamber, and wherein at least some of the cover panels are configured to be removable from the frame to enable access to the chamber.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein one or more of the cover panels along the upper portion are removable to enable removal and replacement of the at least one heat exchanger.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit further comprises an expansion tank located in fluid communication with the first section of piping, and wherein the controller includes programming configured to regulate flow of the working fluid into the expansion tank so as to reduce the pressure of the working fluid.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the chamber of the frame comprises a plurality of quadrants including at least a first quadrant defining a control cabinet housing the controller, and a second quadrant defining a working area in which the at least one heat exchanger and the fluid recirculation system are located.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power and data connection extending between the at least one ORC unit and the at least one mobile heat generation unit for transmission of power and data between the at least one ORC unit and the at least one mobile heat generation unit; and wherein the at least one ORC unit includes a controller; and wherein the controller of the at least one mobile heat generation unit is coupled to the controller of the at least one ORC unit.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit further comprises a backup power system configured to supply power to the controller, a series of sensors; wherein the controller is configured to open one or more drainage valves for release of the working fluid from the fluid recirculation system upon detection of a loss of power from a direct power supply.

11. A system for generating geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation for supplying electrical power to in-field equipment, a grid power structure, energy storage devices, or combinations thereof, the system comprising:
at least one mobile heat generation unit;
one or more conduits configured to divert a flow of heated fluid from one or more heat sources to the at least one mobile heat generation unit;
wherein the at least one mobile heat generation unit comprises:
a pair of heat exchangers mounted at elevated positions adapted to facilitate access,
a pump configured to pump a flow of a working fluid through the heat exchangers, and
a first fluid path extending through the heat exchangers and along which the flow of heated fluid is received from at least one of the one or more conduits and is directed through the heat exchangers, and a second fluid path extending through the heat exchangers and along which the flow of the working fluid directed through the heat exchangers for indirectly transferring heat from the flow of heated fluid passing through the heat exchangers along the first fluid path to the flow of the working fluid passing through the heat exchangers along the second fluid path to cause the working fluid be heated so as to change phases from a liquid substantially to a vapor; and

an ORC unit including a generator, a gas expander, and a pump;
wherein a substantially closed fluid recirculation loop for the working fluid is defined between the at least one mobile heat generation unit and the ORC unit when connected to the second fluid path of the mobile heat generation unit,
wherein the flow of the heated working fluid into the ORC unit causes the generator thereof to generate electrical power via rotation of the gas expander of the ORC operation, after which the working fluid is cooled so as to cause the working fluid to change phases to the liquid phase, whereupon the liquid phase working fluid is recirculated back to the at least one mobile heat generation unit for reheating, and
wherein the at least one heat mobile heat generation unit comprises a t

Assignees

• Ice Thermal Harvesting Llc

Inventors

• Bodishbaugh Adrian Benjamin
• Murtland Carrie Jeanne

Classifications

• F03G4/072

  Controlling or monitoring · CPC title

• F03G4/063

  with energy storage devices · CPC title

• F03G4/035

  of the Organic Rankine Cycle [ORC] type or the Kalina Cycle type · CPC title

• F03G4/001

  Binary cycle plants where the source fluid from the geothermal collector heats the working fluid via a heat exchanger · CPC title

• F22B35/00

  Control systems for steam boilers (for regulating feed-water supply F22D5/00; for controlling superheat temperature F22G5/00) · CPC title