U.S. Company Introduces Revolutionary Technology Capable of Melting Rocks Using Extreme Thermal Energy of 370°C

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 13/03/2025 at 00:23

Créditos: (Xinhua/Zhang Yiyi)

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The Innovative Technology Allows Melting Rocks at 700°F, Creating New Opportunities for Energy and Industrial Exploration

Geothermal energy faces challenges in expanding its potential. Most plants operate at temperatures between 100 and 250°C. This limits the efficiency and expansion of the technology. The solution may lie in so-called superheated rocks.

They are found at temperatures exceeding 375°C and can significantly increase electricity production.

The difficulty lies in accessing these rocks. Deep drilling of up to 12 miles (approx. 19 km) is necessary. This exceeds the world’s deepest hole, the Kola Borehole, at 7.6 miles (approx. 12 km).

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The Energy of Superheated Rocks

Geothermal energy depends on pumping heated water through underground rocks. Supercritical water, present at high temperatures, has more energy than conventional water. This phase resembles steam but has a higher density. This makes it a more powerful energy source.

One point raised in Dichter’s research is that maintaining supercritical water at the surface may not be essential. The study suggests that superheated geothermal systems can operate efficiently even at lower temperatures. This would make superheated geothermal energy more accessible.

Energy losses when transporting superheated water through pipes are a challenge. The higher the temperature, the more energy the water carries. However, the flow rate decreases. The study points out that the temperature gain and flow loss eventually cancel each other out.

“While the heat content of supercritical water is higher, the mass flow through the pipes decreases, and they basically cancel each other out“, explains Dichter.

Systems operating at surface temperatures of 350ºC may still be more efficient than current ones. However, maintaining the water in a supercritical state in the underground reservoir remains a relevant factor. This could ensure production even with losses between the superheated rock and the surface.

Accessible Turbines for Geothermal Energy

Another relevant discovery from the study is the use of conventional turbines for superheated geothermal energy. If the temperature of the surface fluids exceeds 300ºC, standard turbines can be used. This reduces costs and facilitates the deployment of the technology.

The research also examines the turbine systems currently in use. Binary cycles, which combine two fluids, are common in geothermal generation. Hydrocarbons are used to optimize the conversion of heat into electricity.

However, Dichter suggests that water could be a better alternative. At high temperatures, it becomes more efficient and reduces environmental impacts.

Superheated geothermal energy could benefit various sectors. Power plants, district heating, and ground-source heat pumps are among the possibilities.

“The applications are diverse, from power plants to district heating and domestic ground-source heat pumps, and there are many new eyes in the field. There is a renaissance happening in geothermal energy right now“, emphasizes Dichter.

The technology still faces challenges. Deep drilling requires technical advancements and significant investments. Heat transmission also needs to be more efficient.

Even so, experts see the potential of superheated rocks as an important step. If realized, this energy could become an even more competitive renewable source in the future.

With information from Interesting Engineering.

U.S. Company Introduces Revolutionary Technology Capable of Melting Rocks Using Extreme Thermal Energy of 370°C

The Innovative Technology Allows Melting Rocks at 700°F, Creating New Opportunities for Energy and Industrial Exploration

The Energy of Superheated Rocks

Accessible Turbines for Geothermal Energy

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U.S. Company Introduces Revolutionary Technology Capable of Melting Rocks Using Extreme Thermal Energy of 370°C

The Innovative Technology Allows Melting Rocks at 700°F, Creating New Opportunities for Energy and Industrial Exploration

The Energy of Superheated Rocks

Accessible Turbines for Geothermal Energy

The Soviet Union spent 22 years drilling into the Earth’s crust and reached a depth of 12,262 meters — they found water where it was thought impossible, hydrogen bubbling from the rock, granite that is 2.7 billion years old, and temperatures of 180 degrees that melted the drill bits.

Norway is drilling 27 kilometers of rock 392 meters below the bottom of a fjord to build the world’s largest and deepest underwater road tunnel — when completed, a 21-hour journey will be reduced to 10.

The island that has 35 inhabitants and celebrates Christmas on January 6: the remote island of Foula lives in isolation, without internet and following Julius Caesar’s calendar for centuries.

A German architect built a cylindrical house in 1994 that rotates to follow the sun throughout the day, generates 5 times more energy than it consumes, and was the world’s first energy-positive house.

An astronaut spent 340 days in space while his twin brother stayed on Earth, and NASA found a “rejuvenating” effect, genes, microbiome, cognition, and immune system that revealed the biological cost of living outside the planet.

China has just successfully tested the world’s first ground effect maritime vehicle, a craft that flies up to 6 meters above the water at 200 km/h, uses quantum technology and 6G communication, and can rescue patients in the middle of the ocean.

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