Title: Design of method and mechanism for geothermal energy extraction

Authors: C. Balaji Krishna Kumar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, 2, Maruthi Flats, 5, Kamakodi Nagar, Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600047, India

Abstract: By drilling using a specially designed hydride carbide (melting point: 1,365°C) drill, we can drill the earth's crust to about 5 to 40 km to reach temperatures of 700 to 1,000°C, with minimum cost of the drill and drilling technology. Further, we can extract energy by pouring in water on an inserted carbide alloy vessel into the drilled well and bringing out as steam to drive the turbines. By this idea and drilling technology, we can meet out all the challenges faced by geothermal energy thereby providing most efficient renewable energy forever to all parts of the world especially to countries like India, etc., where there are no geothermal reservoirs at low cost. This drilling system produces both rotary and hammering action. This drilling system reduces the entire drill pipe weight. The drill pipe is supported by means of pneumatic cylinders for hammering action to the supports in the hole along the circumference. Thereby, the entire 17,000 T of the drill pipe weight for 15 kilometres is divided to the supports and each supports carry only approximately 2 T.

Keywords: geothermal drilling; geothermal energy; pneumatic drilling; rotary drilling; percussion drilling; geothermal reservoirs; drilling technology; seismic zones; energy crisis; hydride carbide drills; drill pipe weight.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2014.063001

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2014 Vol.5 No.3, pp.281 - 297

Received: 09 Feb 2013
Accepted: 02 Sep 2013
Published online: 26 Jul 2014 *

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