System and method for creating an open loop with optional closed loop riparian geothermal infrastructure

Abstract

A system and method for creating a geothermal generation and distribution grid is presented. This system allows the average home to be tied into an existing geothermal “grid”. The user need not invest in the infrastructure necessary outside the home to enable a system inside the home. The user, instead, is responsible for creating the section that exists in the interior infrastructure. In one embodiment of the invention, the infrastructure comprises at least one distribution flow line having a forward line for a first phase and a return flow line for a circulatory second phase. The distribution flow line is coupled to any point along a main flow line. The main line is buried along a roadway and to a sufficient depth within an earthly body for converting the first and second phases. The main line may be configured to be an open loop with an optional closed loop infrastructure.

1 . A method for generating and distributing geothermal energy from a riparian source, comprising:
 providing a circulation process for generating geothermal energy using at least one distribution flow line having a forward flow line for a first phase and a return flow line for a circulatory second phase;   coupling one of a first end and second end of the at least one distribution flow line to any point along a main flow line, the other one of the first end and second end of the at least one distribution flow line coupling to a desired location;   burying the main flow line for converting the first and second phases, the burying of the main flow line being to a depth of a riparian body;   switching the main flow line from a closed position to an open position, in the open position, the main flow line
 receiving a fluid at one end of the main flow line; 
 circulating the fluid through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and 
 exiting the fluid at another end of the main flow line; 
   in the closed position, the main flow line re-circulating the fluid through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and   distributing the geothermal generated energy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein generating geothermal energy further includes using a plurality of energy exchangers forming a riparian network of geothermal energy. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein for each distribution flow line, there being a respective energy exchanger; and
 wherein distributing the geothermal generated energy includes each of substantially all of the energy exchangers is electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the first phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the second phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the circulation process is set in motion by at least one energy exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the circulation process is set in motion by pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the desired location is a home, office building, geothermal power plant, or at least one energy exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the at least one energy exchanger is a heat pump. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 installing the main flow line vertically, horizontally, or any combination thereof;   regulating a substance in the main flow line to the at least one distribution flow line; and   switching the main flow line from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein installing the main flow line is using at least one spiral, straight, or any combination thereof coil. 
     
     
         12 . A geothermal generation and distribution infrastructure, comprising:
 at least one distribution flow line having a forward flow line for a first phase and a return flow line for a circulatory second phase;   one of a first end and a second end of the at least one distribution flow line configured to couple to any point along a main flow line, the other one of the first end and second end of the at least one distribution flow line configured to couple to a desired location;   the main flow line configured to be buried to a depth within a riparian body for converting the first and second phases;   at least one switching mechanism configured to switch the main flow line from a closed position to an open position, in the open position, the main flow line is configured to:
 receive a fluid at one end of the main flow line; 
 circulate the fluid through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and 
 exit the fluid at another end of the main flow line; 
   in the closed position, the main flow line is configured to re-circulate the fluid through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and   anchors configured to secure the main flow line.   
     
     
         13 . The infrastructure of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a plurality of energy exchangers forming a roadway network of geothermal energy, wherein each of substantially all of the plurality of energy exchangers is electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid and positioned on part of or near to the one or more roads;   at least one first valve configured to regulate the flow of a fluid in the main flow line to the at least one distribution flow line; and   at least one pressure pump configured to transfer the fluid in the main flow line.   
     
     
         14 . The infrastructure of  claim 12  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the first phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         15 . The infrastructure of  claim 12  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the second phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         16 . The infrastructure of  claim 12  further comprising at least one energy exchanger configured to provide circulatory flow in the at least one distribution flow line. 
     
     
         17 . The infrastructure of  claim 16  wherein the circulatory flow is set in motion by pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The infrastructure of  claim 12  wherein the desired location is a home, office building, geothermal power plant, or at least one energy exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The infrastructure of  claim 18  wherein the at least one energy exchanger is a heat pump. 
     
     
         20 . The infrastructure of  claim 19  wherein the heat pump includes:
 at least one evaporator having a series of piping configured to connect to an air handler, the air handler configured to blow air and thereby the at least one evaporator absorbing heat from the air;   at least one condenser configured to condense the first phase to the second phase by transferring heat to cooler surrounding air, water, or earth;   at least one second valve in communications with the at least one evaporator and the at least one condenser, the at least one second valve configured to control a flow of the fluid; and   at least one compressor configured to increase pressure and temperature of the fluid, thereby causing the fluid to flow.   
     
     
         21 . The infrastructure of  claim 20  wherein the fluid is a refrigerant. 
     
     
         22 . The infrastructure of  claim 20  wherein the fluid is from a riparian body. 
     
     
         23 . The infrastructure of  claim 13  wherein the main line is configured to be installed vertically, horizontally, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The infrastructure of  claim 13  wherein the main line is installed using at least one spiral, straight, or any combination thereof coil. 
     
     
         25 . A riparian geothermal generation and distribution infrastructure comprising:
 means for generating geothermal energy using at least one distribution flow line having a forward flow line for a first phase and a return flow line for a circulatory second phase;   means for coupling one of a first and second end of the at least one distribution flow line to any point along a main flow line, the other one of the first and second end of the at least one distribution flow line coupling to a desired location;   means for burying the main flow line to a depth of a riparian body, the depth being sufficient for converting the first and second phases;   means for anchoring the main flow line;   means for regulating a substance in the main flow line to the at least one distribution flow line;   means for switching the main flow line from a closed position to an open position, in the open position, the main flow line
 means for receiving a fluid at one end of the main flow line; 
 means for circulating the fluid through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and 
 means for exiting the fluid at another end of the main flow line; 
   in the closed position, the main flow line means for circulating the substance through the main flow line and the at least one distribution flow line; and   means for distributing the geothermal generated energy.   
     
     
         26 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the means for generating geothermal energy uses a plurality of energy exchangers forming a roadway network of geothermal energy. 
     
     
         27 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the means for distributing the geothermal generated energy includes each of substantially all of a plurality of energy exchangers is electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid. 
     
     
         28 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the first phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         29 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the depth is deep enough within the riparian body to sufficiently cause the second phase to be in a gas, liquid, or steam phase. 
     
     
         30 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the means for providing the circulation process is set in motion by at least one energy exchanger. 
     
     
         31 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the means for providing the circulation process is set in motion by pressure. 
     
     
         32 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the desired location is a home, office building, geothermal power plant, or at least one energy exchanger. 
     
     
         33 . The infrastructure of  claim 26  wherein the at least one energy exchanger is a heat pump. 
     
     
         34 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  further comprising:
 means for installing the main flow line vertically, horizontally, or any combination thereof; and   means for switching the main flow line from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         35 . The infrastructure of  claim 34  wherein the means for installing the main flow line is using at least one spiral, straight, or any combination thereof coil. 
     
     
         36 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the means for circulating the fluid is using at least one pressure pump. 
     
     
         37 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the fluid is in solution with an agent for softening, hardening or non corrosive. 
     
     
         38 . The infrastructure of  claim 25  wherein the riparian body includes antifreeze solution.