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 mobile geothermal-heat-exchange (GHX) testing system comprising:
 a transportable platform;   a high-pressure pump mounted on the transportable platform, the high-pressure pump being in fluid communication with a high-pressure supply port that is configured to be fluidly coupled to the GHX testing system;   a high-volume pump mounted on the transportable platform, the high-volume pump being in fluid communication with a high-volume supply port that is configured to be fluidly coupled to the GHX testing system;   a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the GHX testing system;   a flow meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid provided from the high-volume pump to the GHX testing system;   a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of liquid within the GHX testing system; and   a controller configured to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor, flow rate data from the flow meter, and temperature data from the temperature sensor, and to record the pressure data, the flow rate data, and the temperature data in non-transitory computer readable media, thereby providing stored GHX testing system testing data.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the high-volume pump and the flow meter are both mounted on the transportable platform. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the transportable platform comprises a pallet. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the high-volume pump comprises an electrically driven pump having a variable-frequency drive (VFD), and the controller is configured to control a speed of the high-volume pump and record the speed of the high-volume pump in the non-transitory computer readable media. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein, when the high-pressure supply port and the high-volume supply port are fluidly coupled to the GHX testing system, the controller is configured to control the high-volume pump to flush the GHX testing system and subsequently control the high-pressure pump to pressure test the GHX testing system. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a system of valves mounted on the transportable platform, the system of valves being configured to provide a selectable forward flow direction and reverse flow direction through the GHX testing system, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the system of valves and configured to control the system of valves such that liquid discharged from the high-volume pump flushes the GHX testing system in the forward flow direction followed by the reverse flow direction. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the controller further records valve position settings for the system of valves in the non-transitory computer readable media. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 a fluid reservoir mounted on the transportable platform; and   a fluid return line configured to be fluidly coupled to the GHX testing system,   wherein the high-pressure pump is configured to draw liquid from the fluid reservoir and discharge pressurized liquid through the high-pressure supply port into the GHX testing system, when the GHX testing system is fluidly coupled to the high-pressure supply port, and   the fluid return line is configured to receive liquid having passed through the GHX testing system and return the liquid to the fluid reservoir, when the GHX testing system is fluidly coupled to the fluid return line.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a flow velocity dissipation mechanism connected to the fluid return line and disposed in the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , 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 passes through the openings. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the fluid reservoir further comprises at least one intake filter positioned before an inlet of the high-volume pump. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69 , further comprising a back-flushing device configured to remove debris from the at least one intake filter. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the high-volume pump comprises an electrically driven pump controlled by a variable frequency drive. 
     
     
         72 . A mobile testing apparatus for geothermal heat exchange (GHX) system comprising:
 a mobile platform;   a high-pressure pump disposed on the mobile platform;   a high-volume pump disposed on the mobile platform;   a tank having an atmospheric vent disposed on the mobile platform;   plumbing including valves connecting the high-volume pump, the high-pressure pump, the tank, and comprising a high-volume output connection and a high-volume input connection,   a control system for the operating the high-pressure pump, the high-volume pump and the valves;   a pressure sensor in electronic communication with the control system; and   portable piping for connection to the GHX testing system.   
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein the plumbing further includes a fluid flow meter for monitoring a flow rate from the high-volume pump. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the control system includes a data recorder configured to record quantities of fluid pumped and pressure readings. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , further comprising an electrical generator with a fuel tank mounted on the mobile platform, the electrical generator connected to the control system, the high-pressure pump, and the high-volume pump. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , further comprising a bypass valve connected between the high-pressure pump and the tank and a high pressure output connection coupled to the GHX testing system, the bypass valve variably operable to variably shift the output of the high-pressure pump between the tank and high pressure output as controlled by the control system so as to minimize pressure surges in the GHX testing system. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , further comprising a bypass valve connected between the high-volume pump and the tank and the high-volume output connection coupled to the GHX testing system, the bypass valve variably operable to variably shift the output of the high-volume pump between the tank and the high-volume output connection as controlled by the control system so as to minimize pressure surges in the GHX testing system. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , further comprising a second pressure sensor in electronic communication with the control system, the pressure sensor coupled to the high-volume output connection and the second pressure sensor coupled to the high-volume input connection such that a pair of pressure sensor readings transmitted to the control system reflects the fluid pressure into and out of the GHX testing system.