Low temperature barriers for use with in situ processes
First Claim
1. A method of forming and maintaining a low temperature zone around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, comprising:
- reducing a temperature of heat transfer fluid with a refrigeration system;
circulating the heat transfer fluid through freeze well canisters placed in a formation around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area, wherein at least one freeze well canister is formed from longitudinally welded sheet metal, wherein an initial temperature of the heat transfer fluid supplied to a first freeze well canister is in a range from about −
35°
C. to about −
55°
C., and wherein at least one of the well canisters comprises carbon steel; and
returning the heat transfer fluid to the refrigeration system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming and maintaining a low temperature zone around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area is described. The method includes reducing a temperature of heat transfer fluid with a refrigeration system. The heat transfer fluid is circulated through freeze well canisters and placed in a formation around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area. An initial temperature of the heat transfer fluid supplied to a first freeze well canister is in a range from about −35 ° C. to about −55 ° C. At least one of the well canisters includes carbon steel. The heat transfer fluid is returned to the refrigeration system.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of forming and maintaining a low temperature zone around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, comprising:
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reducing a temperature of heat transfer fluid with a refrigeration system; circulating the heat transfer fluid through freeze well canisters placed in a formation around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area, wherein at least one freeze well canister is formed from longitudinally welded sheet metal, wherein an initial temperature of the heat transfer fluid supplied to a first freeze well canister is in a range from about −
35°
C. to about −
55°
C., and wherein at least one of the well canisters comprises carbon steel; andreturning the heat transfer fluid to the refrigeration system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for forming a freeze barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, comprising:
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a plurality of freeze wells, wherein at least one freeze well comprises a carbon steel canister formed from longitudinally welded sheet metal; heat transfer fluid; and a refrigeration system configured to supply the heat transfer fluid to the freeze wells, wherein the refrigeration system is configured to cool the heat transfer fluid to a temperature that allows the heat transfer fluid provided to a first freeze well to be in a range from about −
35°
C. to about −
55°
C. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification