Method of direct steam generation using an oxyfuel combustor
First Claim
1. A method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean space, including the steps of:
- identifying a subterranean space with hydrocarbons therein;
identifying a well extending into the subterranean space;
operating a gas generator having a combustion chamber, an oxygen enriched oxidizer inlet, a fuel inlet, at least one water inlet and a steam and CO2 mixture outlet;
generating oxygen enriched oxidizer by separating air constituents to produce the oxygen enriched oxidizer having a grater proportion of oxygen than is present in air;
coupling the steam and CO2 mixture outlet of the gas generator upstream from the well of said identifying a well step;
directing at least a portion of the steam and CO2 mixture into the subterranean space through the well;
allowing the steam and CO2 mixture to interact with hydrocarbons within the subterranean space to enhance a removability of the hydrocarbons; and
removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the subterranean space after the hydrocarbon'"'"'s removability is enhanced by contact with the steam and CO2 mixture during said allowing step.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generator is provided with a combustion chamber into which oxygen and a hydrogen containing fuel are directed for combustion therein. The gas generator also includes water inlets and an outlet for a steam and CO2 mixture generated within the gas generator. The steam and CO2 mixture can be used for various different processes, with some such processes resulting in recirculation of water from the processor back to the water inlets of the gas generator. In one process a hydrocarbon containing subterranean space is accessed by a well and the steam and CO2 mixture is directed into the well to enhance removability of hydrocarbons within the subterranean space. Fluids are then removed from the subterranean space include hydrocarbons and water, with a portion of the hydrocarbons then removed in a separator/recovery step. The resulting hydrocarbon removal system can operate with no polluting emissions and with no water requirements.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean space, including the steps of:
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identifying a subterranean space with hydrocarbons therein; identifying a well extending into the subterranean space; operating a gas generator having a combustion chamber, an oxygen enriched oxidizer inlet, a fuel inlet, at least one water inlet and a steam and CO2 mixture outlet; generating oxygen enriched oxidizer by separating air constituents to produce the oxygen enriched oxidizer having a grater proportion of oxygen than is present in air; coupling the steam and CO2 mixture outlet of the gas generator upstream from the well of said identifying a well step; directing at least a portion of the steam and CO2 mixture into the subterranean space through the well; allowing the steam and CO2 mixture to interact with hydrocarbons within the subterranean space to enhance a removability of the hydrocarbons; and removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the subterranean space after the hydrocarbon'"'"'s removability is enhanced by contact with the steam and CO2 mixture during said allowing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for direct steam and CO2 mixed gas generation and utilization, including the steps of:
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providing a gas generator having a combustion chamber, an oxygen inlet leading into the combustion chamber, a fuel inlet leading into the combustion chamber, a plurality of water inlets leading into the gas generator and a steam and CO2 mixture outlet from the combustion chamber; configuring the gas generator to include multiple adjacent chambers with separate water inlets passing into the gas generator between the adjacent chambers, such that temperatures in the adjacent chambers are progressively lower as distance from the combustion chamber increases; and coupling the steam and CO2 mixture outlet of the gas generator to an inlet of a steam and CO2 utilizing processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hydrocarbon production system, comprising in combination:
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a gas generator having a combustion chamber with an oxygen inlet passing into the combustion chamber, a fuel inlet passing into the combustion chamber and at least one water inlet passing into the gas generator, and with a steam and carbon dioxide mixture outlet; a well head accessing a subterranean space containing hydrocarbons; an outlet from the subterranean space adapted to remove water and hydrocarbons from the subterranean space; a hydrocarbon separator coupled to said outlet from the subterranean space the hydrocarbon separator adapted to separate at least a portion of the water from at least a portion of the hydrocarbons; and a water recirculation line extending from the hydrocarbon separator to the at least one water inlet of the gas generator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification