Title: Geothermal energy from salt formations

Abstract: A method of obtaining geothermal energy from salt formations in which a well is drilled and cased into a suitable salt formation to a depth where the temperature is such that the salt behaves plastically. A weighted, closed end pipe is inserted into the well with its lower, closed end at about the bottom of the salt formation and thereafter an insulated open end pipe is inserted, after the weight has been removed from the closed end pipe, within said closed end pipe, thus forming a double pipe heat exchanger. A heat exchange fluid is circulated, usually in a closed loop, through the double pipe heat exchanger, an energy extracting means, such as, for example, a steam generator or an hydraulic turbine, and back through the heat exchanger.

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Inventors: Altschuler, Sidney J. (Midland, MI, US)

Application Number: 730050
Filing Date: 1976-10-06
Publication_date: 1977-10-11
Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI)
Primary Class(es): 60/641.2 165/45, 166/302
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3274769	May, 1964	Reynolds	165/45.
3911683	Oct, 1975	Wolf	60/641.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Ostrager, Allen M.
Assistant Examiner: Husar, Stephen F.
Attorney: DeJoseph; Daniel L., Bjork; C. Kenneth