THERMAL VAPOR STREAM APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating a high pressure stream of superheated vapor, comprising:
- an intake section having a plurality of water nozzles therein and configured to receive a high temperature fuel and a stoichiometric or greater amount of pressurized air for the fuel;
a combustion section adjacent to and coaxial with the intake section, the combustion section configured to house substantially stoichiometric combustion of the fuel and air to produce combustion gases; and
a quench section adjacent to and coaxial with the combustion section, the quench section having a water quench therein configured to introduce water directly onto the combustion gases to produce superheated steam;
wherein the water nozzles are configured to spray jets of water that substantially surround a flame produced by the substantially stoichiometric combustion of the fuel and air.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low emission and environmentally friendly apparatus and method is used to generate a high pressure stream of thermal vapor. The thermal vapor stream may be injected into a subterranean formation for recovery of highly viscous petroleum or used to turn a steam turbine for driving an electrical generator. In one implementation, the high pressure stream of thermal vapor is generated by burning a high temperature fuel, including any short or long chain hydrocarbon products from methane to coal, in an enclosed vessel to produce combustion gases. Various techniques may be used to improve heat distribution and lower the temperature of the combustion gases. Water may be used to quench the combustion gases and produce the superheated steam or vapor. The water may be introduced onto the combustion gases by spraying, weeping, dripping, and the like.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating a high pressure stream of superheated vapor, comprising:
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an intake section having a plurality of water nozzles therein and configured to receive a high temperature fuel and a stoichiometric or greater amount of pressurized air for the fuel; a combustion section adjacent to and coaxial with the intake section, the combustion section configured to house substantially stoichiometric combustion of the fuel and air to produce combustion gases; and a quench section adjacent to and coaxial with the combustion section, the quench section having a water quench therein configured to introduce water directly onto the combustion gases to produce superheated steam; wherein the water nozzles are configured to spray jets of water that substantially surround a flame produced by the substantially stoichiometric combustion of the fuel and air. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for generating a high pressure stream of superheated vapor, comprising:
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an intake section configured to receive a high temperature fuel and a stoichiometric or greater amount of pressurized air for the fuel; a combustion section adjacent to and coaxial with the intake section, the combustion section configured to house substantially stoichiometric combustion of the fuel and air to produce combustion gases; and a quench section adjacent to and coaxial with the combustion section, the quench section having a water quench therein configured to introduce water directly onto the combustion gases to produce superheated steam; wherein the combustion section includes a substantially tubular unitary refractory. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of generating a high pressure stream of superheated vapor, comprising:
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mixing a high temperature fuel and a stoichiometric or greater amount of pressurized air to produce a mixture of fuel and air; burning the mixture of fuel and air in a high pressure vessel to produce combustion gases; generating turbulence in the combustion gases using a refractory in the high pressure vessel, the refractory being a unitary piece having a plurality of refractory sections; surrounding a flame resulting from the burning of the mixture of fuel and air with a cone of water to reduce the temperature on the refractory; and introducing water directly onto the combustion gases to produce superheated steam. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification