Downhole radial flow steam generator for oil wells
First Claim
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1. A downhole radial flow steam generator for oil wells that is adapted to be inserted into an annular well casing having openings therethrough, said generator adapted to be suspended from a flexible cable that carries water and electricity to said generator from above ground comprising:
- an outer casing of a diameter less than interior diameter of aid annular well casing and having a construction to allow steam generated therein to radially pass therethrough and through said well casing;
at least two spaced apart electrodes adapted to be chargeable from said flexible cable forming a part of said generator, to convert water therebetween supplied from said flexible cable to steam; and
a non-conductive porous medium packed in said outer casing between electrodes and of such a construction adapted to allow steam and brine to pass through said outer casing, said medium is of such a configuration as to provide circuitous passages to allow flow resistance to water and steam and said medium is capable of receiving water to wet, said medium allowing a path for electric current while also allowing steam to pass therethrough.
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Abstract
A downhole radial flow steam generator for oil wells that includes an annular casing and a water passage extending therethrough with a porous medium between the casing and passage with electrode means within the generator to heat the water into steam or hot water wherein the fluid is directed radially through the medium and the annular casing into a preselected earth strata to heat oil therein and reduce its viscosity for pumping to the surface.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A downhole radial flow steam generator for oil wells that is adapted to be inserted into an annular well casing having openings therethrough, said generator adapted to be suspended from a flexible cable that carries water and electricity to said generator from above ground comprising:
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an outer casing of a diameter less than interior diameter of aid annular well casing and having a construction to allow steam generated therein to radially pass therethrough and through said well casing; at least two spaced apart electrodes adapted to be chargeable from said flexible cable forming a part of said generator, to convert water therebetween supplied from said flexible cable to steam; and a non-conductive porous medium packed in said outer casing between electrodes and of such a construction adapted to allow steam and brine to pass through said outer casing, said medium is of such a configuration as to provide circuitous passages to allow flow resistance to water and steam and said medium is capable of receiving water to wet, said medium allowing a path for electric current while also allowing steam to pass therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A downhole radial flow generator system comprising at least one downhole radial flow generator, said system capable of creating steam or hot water and said generator is adapted for insertion into a bore, said generator suspended from a flexible cable that carries conductive salt water and high voltage current to said generator from above ground, said generator comprising:
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an outer casing of a diameter less than the interior diameter of said annular bore; an inner electrically non-conductive casing abutting said outer casing; a pair of annular porous electrodes one high voltage and one ground each spaced one from the other in said inner casing forming top and bottom porous cap elements to allow water to indirectly percolate therethrough and said high voltage current passes to said electrodes from a position at least adjacent to the inner annular casing and said electric current passes to conductive brine passing therethrough; at least one water passage from said flexible cable extending into said generator at least adjacent to said inner annular casing; a porous non conductive non heat transferring medium packed into said inner casing between said electrodes having connected voids therethrough whereby fluid is capable of circuitously passing through; and
said brine will wet said medium to assure a conductive path for electric current while providing for a passage of steam through said medium; anda donut shaped bottom retainer ring having an interior void adjacent said ground electrode wherein either said steam or hot water generated will pass through said void in said retainer ring and radially outwardly therefrom into earth to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification