Villanova EngineeringVillanova EngineeringSCW ExperimentSCW Experiment

Prof. Al Ortega & studentsProf. Al Ortega & students

Albert A. Koenig, Ph.D.Albert A. Koenig, Ph.D.

ARB/Geowell SystemsARB/Geowell Systems

ARB/Geowell SystemsARB/Geowell Systems

►Located Conshohocken, PA (outside Located Conshohocken, PA (outside Philadelphia)Philadelphia)

►Solely owned by American Refining Solely owned by American Refining Biochemical (ARB)Biochemical (ARB)

►CEO, Harry HalloranCEO, Harry Halloran►Energy Consultant: Albert Koenig, Energy Consultant: Albert Koenig,

Ph.D.Ph.D.

PurposePurpose

Build and test SCW test rig seeking to Build and test SCW test rig seeking to verify:verify:

In-well string component designIn-well string component design Ease of installation & replacementEase of installation & replacement OperationOperation

Sealing (upcomer from return water)Sealing (upcomer from return water) Pump housing suspensionPump housing suspension Laminar flow slit design near bottom of wellLaminar flow slit design near bottom of well Pump & control valve performancePump & control valve performance

SCW Downhole ComponentsSCW Downhole ComponentsSleeved vs. New GeowellSleeved vs. New GeowellTMTM

DesignDesign

Villanova ProjectVillanova Project

Equipment, Personnel & Equipment, Personnel & FacilitiesFacilities

Villanova Engineering TeamVillanova Engineering Team

Experimental Layout & Test Experimental Layout & Test FacilityFacility

20

2

1.5

11

1.3

Pump/Casing

Foam float

Polypipe entry section

Concrete guide

22ndnd Story Balcony Test Bay Story Balcony Test Bay

Ext. Plumbing, Control & Heat Ext. Plumbing, Control & Heat ExchangerExchanger

String ComponentsString Components

Pump AssemblyPump Assembly

Insertion of String into Insertion of String into ColumnColumn

PolypipePolypipe

1.25” Black Polypipe1.25” Black Polypipe

2 - 1’ Long ; 1/16” 2 - 1’ Long ; 1/16” Wide Inlet SlitsWide Inlet Slits Located 1’ from Located 1’ from

concrete guideconcrete guide 180° apart180° apart

Polypipe Water Entry SlitPolypipe Water Entry Slit

Insertion of Pump Assembly into Insertion of Pump Assembly into HousingHousing

Completed String Ready for Completed String Ready for TestTest

Flow CharacterizationFlow Characterization

Real – Time VideoReal – Time VideoStreamlinesStreamlines

Flow made visible by reflection from particulates in water with backlighting

Measurements & Test ResultsMeasurements & Test Results

► Verified that the float can suspend the PVC housing; the Verified that the float can suspend the PVC housing; the polypipe tends to support the string where it contacts the well polypipe tends to support the string where it contacts the well borebore

► Observed no problem with installation of the pump assembly Observed no problem with installation of the pump assembly into the suspended PVC housinginto the suspended PVC housing

► Observed no leakage into the housing top seal from the Observed no leakage into the housing top seal from the outside annular space (shunting)outside annular space (shunting)

► Cyclic flow along the water column from the pump through Cyclic flow along the water column from the pump through the control valve, heat exchanger and return line was the control valve, heat exchanger and return line was recorded from 5-20 GPMrecorded from 5-20 GPM

► Measured (using bubble entrainment) uniform flow into the Measured (using bubble entrainment) uniform flow into the slit area near the bottom of the stringslit area near the bottom of the string

► Observed no apparent contribution of water below the slit, i.e. Observed no apparent contribution of water below the slit, i.e. no stirring of bottom water that would bring bottom hole no stirring of bottom water that would bring bottom hole sediment into the intake line(s)sediment into the intake line(s)

ObservationsObservations

► Float appears to be unnecessary, since the Float appears to be unnecessary, since the string is supported by the polypipe contour string is supported by the polypipe contour against the wellbore wallagainst the wellbore wall

► At full flow (20 GPM), there was no At full flow (20 GPM), there was no observable torque on the string; bubble observable torque on the string; bubble formation was noticeable at the top of the formation was noticeable at the top of the housing => new design using a conical boot housing => new design using a conical boot for smooth transitionfor smooth transition

► Discussions with Discussions with RainbirdRainbird re. valve reliability re. valve reliability (solenoid triggering problem)(solenoid triggering problem)

Next StepsNext Steps

►Working with Villanova engineering & Working with Villanova engineering & facilities to identify an appropriate facilities to identify an appropriate geothermal application on campusgeothermal application on campus

►Likely start with 1-2 wells @ 800’ to Likely start with 1-2 wells @ 800’ to provide up to 20 tons of cooling for a provide up to 20 tons of cooling for a bldg. with little or no ACbldg. with little or no AC

►This project will be monitored by This project will be monitored by Villanova engineering faculty & Villanova engineering faculty & students as part of the curriculumstudents as part of the curriculum