US 11,708,818 B1
Systems for generating energy from geothermal sources and methods of operating and constructing same
Curtis Cook, Calgary (CA); Neal Gartner, Calgary (CA); Shane Engelking, Cochrane (CA); and Jeff Peterson, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to Roda Energy Corporation, Calgary (CA)
Filed by Roda Energy Corporation, Calgary (CA)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/966,969.
Int. Cl. F24T 10/30 (2018.01); F03G 4/02 (2006.01); F03G 4/00 (2006.01); F24T 50/00 (2018.01)
CPC F03G 4/02 (2021.08) [F03G 4/045 (2021.08); F03G 4/072 (2021.08); F24T 10/30 (2018.05); F24T 50/00 (2018.05)] 53 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for generating energy from geothermal sources, the system comprising:
an injection well extending underground into a rock formation, the injection well having an upper end and a lower end;
a production well extending underground into the rock formation in proximity to the injection well, the production well having an upper end and lower end;
a first lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the injection well;
a second lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the production well; and
the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, each of the first and second lateral sections having a length that is greater than the distance between the upper ends of the injection well and the production well;
each of the injection well, the production well, the first and second lateral sections being cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation;
the injection well, the first lateral section, the multilateral connector, the second lateral section and the production well cooperating with each other to define a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith, the pressure-tested downhole well loop being configured to receive a working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the pressure-tested downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation;
a pump fluidly connected to the injection well, the pump being configured to circulate the working fluid through the pressure-tested downhole well loop;
a turbine system fluidly connected to the production well, the turbine system being operable to convert mechanical energy generated from the flow of working fluid, into electricity;
a cooler fluidly connected between the pump and the turbine system for cooling the working fluid; and
an injection well surface casing surrounding an inlet of the injection well, the injection well surface casing extending partially above the injection well surface and configured to prevent the escape of the working fluid into the rock formation.