GEOTHERMAL ENERGIZATION OF A NON-COMBUSTION CHEMICAL REACTOR AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.
1 . A reactor system for use with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
a chemical reactor;
a working fluid transfer system coupled between the chemical reactor and the geothermal heat source;
a reactant source coupled to the chemical reactor to provide a donor to the chemical reactor; and
a products collector positioned to receive a reaction product from the chemical reactor, the reaction product being formed from a separation process applied to the donor in the chemical reactor.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the chemical reactor is disposed on a ground surface proximate to the geothermal heat source.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactant source further provides a carbon-hydrogen donor to the chemical reactor, and wherein the products collector is a first products collector positioned to receive a carbon-based product, and wherein the system further comprises a second products collector positioned to receive a hydrogen-based product.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid transfer system includes a pipe having concentric passages.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid transfer system is coupled to a subterranean portion of the geothermal source.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid transfer system is coupled to a submerged portion of the geothermal source.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactant source carries methane gas as a hydrogen donor.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid transfer system includes a closed loop that conveys a working fluid in a circuit between the geothermal heat source and the chemical reactor.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the working fluid transfer system is an open loop system in which the working fluid is directly exposed to the geothermal heat source.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a condenser disposed at an elevation above the geothermal heat source, the condenser being carried by at least one of a building, a tower, an offshore platform, a hill, and a mountain.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the chemical reactor is a non-combustion dissociation reactor.
12 . A reactor system for use with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
a pump;
a conduit having a first portion coupled to the pump and a second portion disposed proximate to the geothermal heat source;
a working fluid carried by the conduit between the pump and the geothermal heat source;
a chemical reactor in thermal communication with the working fluid;
a heat transfer device disposed between the pump and the chemical reactor to transfer heat from the working fluid to the chemical reactor;
a reactant source coupled to the chemical reactor to provide a hydrogen donor to the chemical reactor; and
a products collector coupled to the chemical reactor to receive a reaction product from the chemical reactor, the reaction product being formed from a separation process applied to the hydrogen donor in the chemical reactor.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the pump is disposed on a ground surface over a subterranean position of the geothermal heat source.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the reactant source further provides a carbon donor to the chemical reactor, and wherein the products collector is positioned to receive a carbon-based product.
15 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a reversible pump coupled to the second portion of the conduit.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the pump is disposed at an elevation above the chemical reactor.
17 . A reactor system for use with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
a non-combustion dissociation reactor disposed above the geothermal heat source;
a working fluid supply system disposed near the reactor, the supply system including a supply conduit extending from a working fluid supply to a first portion of the geothermal heat source, the supply system further including a pressure source coupled to the supply conduit to drive the working fluid from a terminal end of the supply conduit into direct contact with the geothermal heat source;
a working fluid collection system including a collection conduit coupled to a working fluid collector and having a terminal end disposed at a second portion of the geothermal heat source spaced apart from the first portion of the geothermal heat source;
a heat transfer system coupled between the working fluid collector and the reactor;
a reactant source coupled to the reactor to provide a donor to the reactor;
a product removal passage positioned to direct a reaction product from the reactor; and
a working fluid return system coupled between the working fluid collection system and the working fluid supply system.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the working fluid return system includes an evaporator in fluid communication with the working fluid collection system.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the working fluid return system further includes a condenser in communication with the working fluid system via a channel.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the condenser is disposed at an elevation above the evaporator.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the condenser is carried by at least one of a building, a tower, an offshore platform, a hill, and a mountain.
22 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the evaporator communicates with a solar concentrator to evaporate the working fluid.
23 . A method for heating a reactor system with a geothermal heat source, comprising:
directing a working fluid between the geothermal heat source and a chemical reactor to transfer heat from the geothermal heat source to the reactor;
providing a donor substance to the reactor;
removing a reaction product from the reactor; and
fabricating a further product with the reaction product.
24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising disposing the chemical reactor proximate to the geothermal heat source.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the reaction product is at least one of carbon, silicon carbide, graphite, graphene, a carbon film, a ceramic, a semiconductor device, and a polymer.
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the working fluid includes directing the fluid through concentric passages of a pipe.
27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the fluid includes directing the fluid to a subterranean geothermal source.
28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the fluid includes directing the fluid to a geothermal source located under a body of water.
29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the donor substance includes methane gas.
30 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the fluid includes disposing the fluid in direct contact with the geothermal heat source.
31 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the fluid includes directing the fluid to exit a first conduit at an entry portion of the geothermal heat source, directing the fluid to pass along a flowpath extending through the geothermal heat source with the fluid being in direct contact with the geothermal heat source, and directing the fluid to enter a second conduit at an exit portion of the geothermal source, the second conduit being spaced apart from the first conduit.
32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the geothermal heat source communicates with a well, and wherein the method further comprises:
carrying a residual petroleum substance in the well with the working fluid;
directing the residual petroleum substance into the chemical reactor; and
dissociating the residual petroleum substance into a hydrogen-bearing constituent and a donor component at the chemical reactor.
33 . The method of claim 23 , wherein directing the working fluid including directing the working fluid to an elevation above the geothermal heat source, the elevation including a condenser being carried by at least one of a building, a tower, an offshore platform, a hill, and a mountain.