Patent ID: 7347059
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: C10L,F24F,F24S,F24T,F25B,F28D,F28F,H01Q,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A coaxial-flow heat transfer system for installation in a geological environment and facilitating the transfer of heat energy between an external heat energy exchanging system and said geological environment, wherein aqueous-based heat transfer fluid is pumped through said external heat energy exchanging system so as to transfer heat between said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and said external heat energy exchanging system, said coaxial-flow heat transfer system comprising: a coaxial-flow heat transfer structure for installation within said geological environment, and including: a proximal end; a distal end; an input port, provided at said proximal end, for receiving said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid at a first temperature from said external heat energy exchanging system; an output port, provided at said proximal end, for outputting said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid at a second temperature to said heat energy exchanging system; an inner tube section having an outer wall surface extending between said proximal and distal ends, and supporting an inner flow channel having a substantially uniform inner diameter along its length and into which said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid can be introduced from said input port, and along which said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flows towards said distal end; and an outer tube section, disposed coaxially around said inner tube section, and having an inner wall surface extending between said proximal and distal ends, and said outer tube section being in thermal communication with said geological environment and having a cap portion at said distal end sealing off said outer tube section from fluid leaks at said distal end; wherein an outer flow channel is formed between the outer wall surface of said inner tube section and the inner wall surface of said outer tube section, and capable of conducting said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing from the distal end of said inner flow channel, and past said cap portion, and along said outer flow channel towards said proximal end, so that said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid can exit from said output port and enter into said external heat energy exchanging system; and wherein a helically-arranged fin structure is disposed along a substantial portion of the length of said outer flow channel so as to form at least one helically-extending outer flow channel, for constantly rotating the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing along said at least one helically-extending outer flow channel, from said distal end towards said proximal end, and thereby improving the transfer of heat energy between said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and said geological environment along the length of said outer flow channel; and wherein the heat transfer process occurring between said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid and said geological environment is carried out without a change in state of said aqueous-based heat transfer fluid flowing within and along the inner and outer flow channels of said coaxial-flow heat transfer structure.