Sawyer-singleton geothermal energy tank

Abstract

One embodiment of a compact, closed loop geothermal energy exchange system, which is used in conjunction with geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool interior spaces, is provided. Conduit ( 2 ), through which process fluid flows, is configured within a containment tank ( 1 ) in a manner that optimizes the contact between the conduit, an interior soil mass ( 4 ) and the soil mass exterior to the tank. Water from a source within the geothermal zone of the earth is introduced, when necessary, to the interior of the tank by means of a temperature regulated valve (not shown) and pipes ( 3 ) located at the top of the tank. The interior soil mass, the exterior soil mass and the water, in combination, will regulate the temperature of the process fluid, thereby providing optimum operating fluid temperatures for geothermal heat pumps. A means of collecting the water and removing it from the tank is provided by a perforated pipe ( 6 ) connected to a water overflow chamber ( 5 ). The collected water is removed from the overflow chamber by a sump pump ( 7 ), and a discharge pipe ( 11 ).

1 . A method for optimizing the temperature of process fluids used in a closed loop geothermal heat pump systems, by utilizing the constant geothermal energy of the earth to act on said fluid in a confined space, comprising the following steps;
 a. providing a containment tank in which conduit, through which said process fluids flow, can be configured for optimum protection and optimum contact with exterior and interior soil masses.   b. providing said containment tank with adequate structural integrity to be buried within the geothermal zone of the earth, without damage to said containment tank or said conduit.   c. providing soil masses, interior and exterior to said vessel, that will allow the thermodynamic transfer of energy between said process fluid and said soil masses.   d. providing said internal soil mass with a particle gradation that renders said internal soil mass permeable to water.   e. said water can be supplied from any source that lies within earths geothermal zone.   f. providing a method to introduce said water to the interior spaces of said vessel, when necessary, to assist said interior and exterior masses in optimizing the temperature of said process fluids.   g. providing a method of collecting and removing said water from said vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said interior soil mass is replaced by a light-weight artificial or natural material with similar permeability. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said soil mass is replaced with a light-weight structure or an interior tank.