Mobile hydro geothermal testing systems and methods

Abstract

A fluid flushing and pressurization apparatus for use with geothermal systems, capable of delivering a reversible high-velocity flow of fluid through a system of buried PE pipe without introducing an overpressure condition or water hammer. The apparatus can be utilized with methods for installing, preparing, flushing, filling, testing, and certifying geothermal heating and cooling systems. A portable pumping and testing apparatus can include a high-volume pump, a high-pressure pump, a flow meter, and pressure sensors in wired or wireless communication with a processor or logic controller such that continuous or periodic monitoring of the system can be recorded. The system can be programmed to operate automatically under computer control such that reversal of the flow through the geothermal system does not shock or damage the equipment or buried piping.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A flushing system comprising:
 a fluid supply line configured to connect to a supply port in fluid communication with piping forming a geothermal-heat-exchange (GHX) system;   a fluid return line configured to connect to a return port in fluid communication with the piping forming the GHX system;   a first bypass line extending between the fluid supply line and the fluid return line;   a second bypass line extending between the fluid supply line and the fluid return line;   a first supply valve configured to control fluid flow between the fluid supply line and the first bypass line and a second supply valve configured to control fluid flow between the fluid supply line and the supply port;   a first return valve configured to control fluid flow between the return port and the fluid return line and a second return valve configured to control fluid flow between the fluid return line and the second bypass line; and   a controller operatively coupled to the first supply valve, the second supply valve, the first return valve, and the second return valve, wherein the controller is configured to hold the second supply valve and the first return valve open while holding the first supply valve and the second return valve closed, thereby directing fluid into the supply port of the GHX system and out of the return port and, subsequently, reverse flow by opening the first supply valve and the second return valve and closing the second supply valve and the first return valve, thereby directing fluid into the return port of the GHX system and out of the supply port.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 a first actuator connected to both the first supply valve and the second supply valve such that the first actuator is configured to simultaneously actuate one of the first supply valve and the second supply valve open while actuating the other of the first supply valve and the second supply valve closed; and   a second actuator connected to both the first return valve and the second return valve such that the second actuator is configured to simultaneously actuate one of the first return valve and the second return valve open while actuating the other of the first return valve and the second return valve closed.   
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the controller is configured to reverse flow through the GHX system by controlling the first actuator to open the first supply valve and close the second supply valve while controlling the second actuator to simultaneously open the second return valve and close the first return valve. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising a fluid reservoir and a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid supply line, wherein the pump is configured to provide pressurized fluid for flushing the GHX system. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , further comprising a flow meter communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to measure a flow of pressurized fluid discharged by the pump, wherein the controller is configured to measure the flow of pressurized fluid via the flow meter and actuate the first supply valve, the second supply valve, the first return valve, and the second return valve, thereby reversing flow direction, when the flow of pressurized fluid reaches a setpoint. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the GHX system. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to provide a pressure measurement to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to cause diversion of at least some pressurized fluid discharged by the pump back to the fluid reservoir during flow reversal without flow velocity reduction of the pump if the pressure measurement exceeds a predetermined over-pressurization value. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the controller is configured to log the pressure within the GHX system measured by the at least one pressure sensor, a speed of the pump, the flow of pressurized fluid measured by the flow meter, and position settings of the first supply valve, the second supply valve, the first return valve, and the second return valve. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the fluid return line is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , further comprising a flow velocity dissipation mechanism disposed in the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid returning to the fluid reservoir via the fluid return line passes through the flow velocity dissipation mechanism. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the flow velocity dissipation mechanism comprises an inner pipe and an outer pipe in concentric orientation, the inner pipe having a plurality of openings providing fluid communication into a space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe such that fluid returning to the fluid reservoir divides among and passes through the openings and then strikes the outer pipe. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the fluid reservoir further comprises at least one intake filter positioned before the inlet of the pump. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70 , further comprising a back-flushing device configured to remove debris from the at least one intake filter. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the pump comprises an electrically driven pump controlled by a variable frequency drive. 
     
     
         73 . A method for testing a buried geothermal-heat-exchange (GHX) system comprising:
 coupling a pump to the GHX system via a system of valves configured to provide a selectable forward flow direction and reverse flow direction through the GHX system;   pumping a volume of liquid through the GHX system in the forward flow direction until a predetermined setpoint is reached;   upon reaching the predetermined setpoint, reversing flow direction though the GHX system without introducing water hammer by actuating the system of valves at a controlled rate; and   pumping another volume of liquid through the GHX system in the reverse flow direction.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the predetermined setpoint comprises a period of time. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the predetermined setpoint comprises a minimum quantity of liquid having been pumped through the GHX system, as determined by monitoring the volume of the liquid pumped with a flow meter. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising separating any gas present in the volume of liquid being pumped through the GHX system by directing liquid returning from the GHX system into an open-air fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising directing liquid returning from the GHX system through a flow velocity dissipation assembly disposed in the open-air fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising measuring a pressure in the GHX system. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising diverting at least some liquid from the pump to a liquid reservoir while reversing flow direction without flow velocity reduction of the pump if a pressure measurement in the GHX system exceeds a predetermined over-pressurization value. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising logging the pressure within the GHX system, a flow rate of liquid pumped through the GHX system, and valve position settings for the system of valves.