US 12,110,878 B2
Systems and methods for generation of electrical power at a drilling rig
Adrian Benjamin Bodishbaugh, Houston, TX (US); and Carrie Jeanne Murtland, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/418,796.
Application 18/418,796 is a continuation of application No. 18/099,807, filed on Jan. 20, 2023, granted, now 11,905,934.
Application 18/099,807 is a continuation of application No. 17/657,015, filed on Mar. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,592,009, issued on Feb. 28, 2023.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/682,126, filed on Feb. 28, 2022, granted, now 11,359,612, issued on Jun. 14, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/670,827, filed on Feb. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,421,663, issued on Aug. 23, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/650,811, filed on Feb. 11, 2022, granted, now 11,578,706, issued on Feb. 14, 2023.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/578,550, filed on Jan. 19, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/578,520, filed on Jan. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,326,550, issued on May 10, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/578,542, filed on Jan. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,359,576, issued on Jun. 14, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/578,528, filed on Jan. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,480,074, issued on Oct. 25, 2022.
Application 17/682,126 is a continuation of application No. 17/494,936, filed on Oct. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,293,414, issued on Apr. 5, 2022.
Application 17/670,827 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/305,296, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,255,315, issued on Feb. 22, 2022.
Application 17/494,936 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/305,296, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,255,315, issued on Feb. 22, 2022.
Application 17/650,811 is a continuation of application No. 17/305,298, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,280,322, issued on Mar. 22, 2022.
Application 17/657,015 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/305,297, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, granted, now 12,060,867.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/269,862, filed on Mar. 24, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/269,572, filed on Mar. 18, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/261,601, filed on Sep. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/200,908, filed on Apr. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0159224 A1, May 16, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03G 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 34/02 (2006.01); E21B 34/06 (2006.01); E21B 36/00 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01); E21B 47/07 (2012.01); F01K 11/02 (2006.01); F01K 17/02 (2006.01); F01K 25/08 (2006.01); F03G 4/00 (2006.01); F03G 4/06 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/045 (2021.08) [E21B 34/025 (2020.05); E21B 34/066 (2013.01); E21B 36/00 (2013.01); E21B 41/0085 (2013.01); E21B 47/07 (2020.05); F01K 11/02 (2013.01); F01K 17/02 (2013.01); F01K 25/08 (2013.01); F03G 4/023 (2021.08); F03G 4/035 (2021.08); F03G 4/06 (2021.08); F03G 4/072 (2021.08)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for increasing performance of one or more of engine, generator set, or bottom-hole assembly, the method comprising:
sensing a temperature of a flow of drilling fluid from a borehole;
determining electrical power utilized by drilling rig equipment and generated by a generator set driven by an engine; and
in response to one or more of (a) a determination that the temperature of the flow of drilling fluid from the borehole exceeds an operating range, (b) a determination that ambient temperature exceeds an ambient temperature threshold of a drilling rig, (c) a determination that the electrical power utilized by the drilling rig equipment exceeds a power requirement threshold, or (d) a determination that ambient temperature exceeds an engine operating range:
adjusting one or more of (1) a first working fluid flow control device to control a flow of working fluid to a drilling fluid heat exchanger, the drilling fluid heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the drilling fluid to the flow of the working fluid, thereby to cause a power generation unit to generate electrical power, (2) a second working fluid flow control device to control a flow of working fluid to an exhaust heat exchanger, the exhaust fluid heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from exhaust generated by the engine to the flow of the working fluid, thereby to cause a power generation unit to generate electrical power, or (3) a third working fluid flow control device to control a flow of working fluid to a fluid jacket heat exchanger, the fluid jacket fluid heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the fluid of the fluid jacket to the flow of the working fluid, thereby to cause a power generation unit to generate electrical power.