초록 ▼

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for exchanging heat from the degradation, decomposition, and chemical/biochemical transformation of municipal, industrial, and other types of waste. In one embodiment, a heat extraction system may include a closed-loop fluid circulation pipin

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for exchanging heat from the degradation, decomposition, and chemical/biochemical transformation of municipal, industrial, and other types of waste. In one embodiment, a heat extraction system may include a closed-loop fluid circulation piping channeled throughout at least one heat extraction well oriented throughout a waste mass. The piping is fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger. A first circulation fluid is circulated through the closed-loop circulation piping into various depths of the waste mass to transfer thermal energy between said mass and said heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the transfer of thermal energy between the waste mass and the heat exchanger is used as alternative energy method and to control at least one of shear strength, compressibility, and hydraulic conductivity of the waste mass.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A temperature control and heat exchange system comprising: a closed-loop fluid circulation pipe;at least one heat transfer well providing a thermal encasement for the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe, the heat transfer well filled at intervals with a highly conductive granular backfill;wherein

1. A temperature control and heat exchange system comprising: a closed-loop fluid circulation pipe;at least one heat transfer well providing a thermal encasement for the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe, the heat transfer well filled at intervals with a highly conductive granular backfill;wherein the at least one heat transfer well is installed in a waste mass;a heat exchanger having an inlet and outlet for a first circulation fluid and an inlet and outlet for a second circulation fluid;a circulation pump operatively coupled to the closed-loop circulation pipe to provide fluid flow for the first circulation fluid; andwherein the heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe at the inlet and outlet for the first circulation fluid such that the first circulation fluid, when circulated through the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe via the circulation pump into the at least one heat transfer well distributed in the waste mass, transfers thermal energy between the waste mass and the second circulation fluid through the heat exchanger. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the waste mass has a first, second, third, and fourth life cycle stage of biochemical processes, the heat exchanger transfers a first level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid at the first life cycle stage of biochemical processes, extracts a second level of thermal energy from the first circulation fluid to the second fluid at the second life cycle stage of biochemical processes, transfers a third level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid at a third life cycle stage of biochemical processes, and extracts a constant fourth level of thermal energy from the first circulation fluid to the second fluid at the fourth life cycle stage of biochemical processes. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the transfer of a first level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid at the first life cycle stage of biochemical processes cools the waste mass. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the transfer of a first level of thermal energy from the second circulation fluid to the first circulation fluid at the first life cycle stage of biochemical processes provides additional heat to the waste mass. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor computer coupled to both the heat exchanger and the circulation pump, the computer having means to control fluid flow and thermal energy transfer of the first circulation fluid via control signals to the heat exchanger and circulation pump. 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a network of sensors, with means for measuring at least one of temperature, position, time, and flow-rate, integrated into the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe and the waste mass, the network of sensors electronically coupled to the computer to provide control signals to the computer. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer well is installed in the waste mass either vertically to provide vertical fluid flow through the waste mass, horizontally to provide lateral fluid flow through the waste mass, or at an incline to provide inclined fluid flow through the waste mass. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat-controlled trace heater to prevent freezing of the first circulation fluid. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate and frame heat exchanger. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the highly conductive granular backfill is dense gravel, soil, or industrial byproduct. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe is cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), high density polyethylene, or copper. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first circulation fluid is water, propylene glycol, or a water-glycol mixture. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer well is covered by an insulating seal at a ground surface. 14. A method of temperature control and heat exchange of a waste mass comprising: routing at least one heat transfer well in the waste mass;channeling a closed-loop fluid circulation pipe into the at least one heat transfer well, the at least one heat transfer well filled at intervals with a highly conductive granular backfill for providing a thermal encasing for said closed-loop fluid circulation pipe;circulating a first circulation fluid through the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe via a circulation pump operatively coupled to the closed-loop circulation pipe; andexchanging heat between the first circulation fluid and a second circulation fluid via a heat exchanger having an inlet and outlet for the first circulation fluid and an inlet and outlet for the second circulation fluid and is fluidly coupled to the closed-loop circulation pipe at the inlet and outlet for the first circulation fluid. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger and the circulation pump are further coupled to a microprocessor computer providing means to control fluid flow and thermal energy transfer of the first circulation fluid via control signals to the heat exchanger and circulation pump. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein exchanging heat between the first circulation fluid and a second circulation fluid controls at least one of shear strength, compressibility, and hydraulic conductivity of the waste mass. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first circulation fluid is water, propylene glycol, or a water-glycol mixture. 18. The method of claim 14, comprising monitoring at least one of temperature, position, time, and flow-rate of the first circulation fluid via a network of sensors integrated into the closed-loop fluid circulation pipe and the waste mass, the network of sensors electronically coupled to the computer to provide control signals to the computer.