Increasing subterranean mobilization of organic contaminants and petroleum by aqueous thermal oxidation
First Claim
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1. A method for producing surfactants from accumulations of constrained organics at a subsurface site in a subsurface reservoir, said method comprising:
- injecting steam and an oxidant into the subsurface site containing constrained organics to form a mixture containing predetermined portions of (a) condensed water from the stream and (b) the oxidant, water from the subsurface site and the constrained organics from the reservoir;
allowing hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of the mixture to produce surfactants that form an oil/water emulsion with a second portion of the constrained organics and condensed water from the steam and/or water occurring naturally in the reservoir; and
removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface reservoir.
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Abstract
In situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of organics at the site of the organics constrained in an subsurface reservoir produces surfactants that can form an oil/water emulsion that is effectively removed from an underground formation. The removal of the oil/water emulsions is particularly useful in several applications, e.g., soil contaminant remediation and enhanced oil recovery operations. A portion of the constrained organics react in heated reservoir water with injected steam containing dissolved oxygen gas at ambient reservoir conditions to produce such surfactants.
37 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for producing surfactants from accumulations of constrained organics at a subsurface site in a subsurface reservoir, said method comprising:
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injecting steam and an oxidant into the subsurface site containing constrained organics to form a mixture containing predetermined portions of (a) condensed water from the stream and (b) the oxidant, water from the subsurface site and the constrained organics from the reservoir;
allowing hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of the mixture to produce surfactants that form an oil/water emulsion with a second portion of the constrained organics and condensed water from the steam and/or water occurring naturally in the reservoir; and
removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for removing constrained organics from a subsurface reservoir, said method comprising:
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elevating the temperature of the subsurface reservoir above the naturally occurring temperature of said reservoir, introducing steam into said reservoir, allowing at least a portion of said steam to condense in said reservoir, introducing an oxidant into said reservoir so as to contact water from condensed steam and/or water occurring naturally in the reservoir, producing surfactant precursors and/or surfactants at the site of the constrained organics contained in said reservoir, forming oil/water emulsions stabilized by said surfactant precursors and/or said surfactants, and removing said oil/water emulsions from said reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An enhanced oil recovery method comprising:
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injecting steam and an oxidant into a subsurface reservoir containing constrained crude oil and liquid water;
producing surfactants by in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of a first portion of the crude oil;
forming an oil/water emulsion from the produced surfactants, the liquid water and a second portion of the crude oil; and
removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An environmental restoration method comprising:
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injecting oxygen-containing gas and steam into subsurface soil containing constrained organic contaminants and condensate water;
producing surfactants by in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of the organic contaminants;
forming an oil/water emulsion from the produced surfactants, the condensate water and a second portion of the constrained organic contaminants; and
removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface soil. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A process for in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of chlorinated or fuel hydrocarbons or other volatile contaminants, comprising:
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(a) inducing hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation at a site of contamination by introducing steam and oxygen under pressure to a site of contamination;
(b) optionally relieving the build-in pressure;
(c) allowing the hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation resulting in partial oxidation of a first portion of the contaminants to produce surfactants; and
(d) removing from the site of contamination a contaminant/surfactant/water emulsion formed from mixing the produced surfactants with a second portion of the contaminants. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification