Steam generator and method for generating steam
First Claim
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1. A method for producing steam, the method comprising:
- combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream;
injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream including particulate matter precipitated from the impure water, wherein the combusting is conducted in a combustion chamber, and further including cooling the combusting chamber using a film of the impure water;
establishing a velocity of the combustion stream that is greater than a saltation velocity of the particulate matter in the combustion stream;
separating the particulate matter using a separator selected from the group consisting of a cyclone separator, a filter and combinations thereof; and
injecting the steam stream into a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, without conveying the steam stream through a heat exchanger.
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Abstract
A method for producing steam includes combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream, and injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream including particulate matter precipitated from the impure water. A steam generator includes a combustion chamber that has an initial section including an oxidant feed that is substantially free of nitrogen and a fuel feed, and downstream from the initial section at least one liquid water feed.
41 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for producing steam, the method comprising:
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combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream; injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream including particulate matter precipitated from the impure water, wherein the combusting is conducted in a combustion chamber, and further including cooling the combusting chamber using a film of the impure water; establishing a velocity of the combustion stream that is greater than a saltation velocity of the particulate matter in the combustion stream; separating the particulate matter using a separator selected from the group consisting of a cyclone separator, a filter and combinations thereof; and injecting the steam stream into a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, without conveying the steam stream through a heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A steam generator comprising:
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a combustion chamber having an initial section including an oxidant feed and a fuel feed, and downstream from the initial section, at least one impure water feed, wherein the combustion chamber establishes a velocity of a combustion stream that is greater than a saltation velocity of particulate matter in the combustion stream; a conduit connecting the outlet of the combustion chamber to a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, the conduit being free of any heat exchangers; and a separator operable to remove particulate matter positioned with respect to the conduit, wherein the separator is selected from the group consisting of a cyclone separator, a filter and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification