US 12,140,124 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 Feb. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/436,547.
Application 18/436,547 is a continuation of application No. 18/101,293, filed on Jan. 25, 2023, granted, now 11,946,459.
Application 18/101,293 is a continuation of application No. 17/934,002, filed on Sep. 21, 2022, granted, now 11,598,320, issued on Mar. 7, 2023.
Application 17/934,002 is a continuation of application No. 17/657,011, filed on Mar. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,493,029, issued on Nov. 8, 2022.
Application 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/578,550, filed on Jan. 19, 2022.
Application 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 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 17/657,011 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/305,297, filed on Jul. 2, 2021.
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 2024/0191703 A1, Jun. 13, 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)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for generating power, the method comprising:
pumping drilling fluid from a drilling fluid container to a drill pipe associated with a drilling rig, the drilling fluid to flow through the drill pipe to a location that generates a heated drilling fluid from flow of the drilling fluid, the heated drilling fluid to flow to a drilling fluid return pipe;
diverting one or more of: (1) the heated drilling fluid to a first heat exchanger connected to a working fluid manifold and positioned to transfer heat from the heated drilling fluid to a flow of a first portion of a working fluid, thereby to generate a cooled drilling fluid and a heated first portion of the working fluid, the heated first portion of the working fluid positioned to cause a generator to generate electrical power, (2) exhaust produced by one or more engines, to a second heat exchanger connected to the working fluid manifold, the second heat exchanger positioned to transfer heat from the exhaust to a flow of a second portion of the working fluid to generate a heated second portion of the working fluid, the heat second portion of the working fluid to cause a generator to generate electrical power, or (3) heated coolant from a water jacket associated with the one or more engines to a third heat exchanger connected to the working fluid manifold, the third heat exchanger to transfer heat from the heated coolant to a flow of a third portion of the working fluid to generate a heated third portion of the working fluid, the heated third portion of the working fluid positioned to cause a generator to generate electrical power;
determining an exhaust thermal mass of the exhaust produced by the one or more engines;
determining an ambient temperature of the drilling rig;
in response to one or more of (1) a determination that the exhaust thermal mass of the exhaust from the one or more engines is outside of an exhaust thermal mass range, or (2) a determination that an ambient temperature exceeds an engine operating range, adjusting flow of the exhaust from the one or more engines to the second heat exchanger; and
returning the cooled drilling fluid to the drilling fluid container.