Hydrogeneration as an end product of a closed loop gaslift process employing LNG

Abstract

A chemical compound or composition such as liquified natural gas or LNG with a critical temperature less than that of water is pumped into a subterranean well for injection near the bottom of the well. The chemical compound or composition changes to gas phase and rises in a column of water segregated in the well from an opposing column of water without gas. The water is heated to facilitate or effect the gasification of the chemical compound or composition. In one embodiment, such heating is accomplished by use of cooling water heated in cooling a refinery or heavy manufacturing operation, the column then serving as a cooling tower for the water to prepare it for recycling as cooling water in the refinery or heavy manufacturing operation. The gas/water mixture in the column forms a fluid of reduced density thereby being of less total weight than the column of water without gas. The difference in weight of the two columns provides a lifting force on the gas water mixture such that the effluent from the gas water mixture column will be elevated in relation to the free surface of the water only column. Such elevated quantities of water possess potential energy which can be converted into electrical or mechanical energy to be utilized as desired. Gas separated from the water is preferably collected and used for other purposes or recycled within the system.

1 . A method for generating energy comprising: 
 providing a tank or well containing at least two columns of the same fluid;    injecting a chemical having a critical temperature less than that of the column fluid, in liquid phase, near the base of one column;    allowing the temperature of the well fluid to cause said chemical to change from liquid phase to gas phase;    allowing the gas to rise in the column, thereby elevating the column of the fluid with the gas above the column of well fluid without the gas, thereby creating potential energy;    capturing said potential energy;    converting at least a portion of said potential energy into electrical or mechanical energy; and    separating the gas from the column fluid at the surface of the well.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the well is a closed well and the well fluid is added to the well prior to injection of the chemical liquid.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the column fluid is water and the chemical has a density less than water, and wherein the method further comprises means for heating the water and means for pumping the chemical into the column.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the chemical is liquified natural gas.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said columns are pressurized and at least a portion of the step of gas rising in the column is conducted at pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the steps are repeated in multiple wells constructed in sufficient proximity to each other to create a collective system wherein the elevated fluid is collected into a common reservoir.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein there are three or more columns of the same fluid and the chemical having a critical temperature less than that of the column fluid, in liquid phase, is injected near the base of multiple column, leaving at least one column to have column fluid only.  
   
   
       8 . A system for generating energy using a chemical which changes from its liquid phase to its gas phase, wherein said chemical has a critical temperature less than water, said system comprising: 
 a well or external columnar tank having a supply of water at its base;    at least two separate internal columns extending substantially the depth of the well or external columnar tank and extending into the water;    an injection means at or near the base of one of the columns in the water;    a pump for pumping liquid phase gas to the injection means;    means for heating the water to facilitate the transition of the chemical from its liquid phase to its gas phase;    means for channeling gas mixed with water through said one column, such that said gas and water mixture can be brought to the surface of the well by gaslift;    means for capturing the energy from said gaslift;    means for employing at least some of said captured energy in creating electricity; and    a separator for separating gas from said water at or near the surface of said well.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising means for pressurizing said columns of water.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said means for capturing the energy of elevated water from said gaslift comprises a hydrogenerator for converting water energy to electricity.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said means for heating the water is provided by cooling water heated from use in cooling a refinery or heavy manufacturing operation.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said column acts as a cooling tower for said heated water.