Thermal expansion accommodation for circulated fluid systems used to heat subsurface formations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation, comprising:
- flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation; and
providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation, wherein at least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel, the movable wheel being movable at least in a vertical plane while the end portion of the conduit is wound around the movable wheel, and wherein the movable wheel moves at least in the vertical plane to provide the substantially constant tension to the end portion of the conduit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation includes flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation and providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation. At least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel used to apply tension to the conduit.
1052 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation, comprising:
-
flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation; and providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation, wherein at least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel, the movable wheel being movable at least in a vertical plane while the end portion of the conduit is wound around the movable wheel, and wherein the movable wheel moves at least in the vertical plane to provide the substantially constant tension to the end portion of the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A system for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configured to apply heat to the formation when a heat transfer fluid flows through the conduit; and a movable wheel, wherein at least part of an end portion of the conduit is wound around the movable wheel, the movable wheel being movable at least in a vertical plane while the end portion of the conduit is wound around the movable wheel, and wherein the movable wheel is configured to move at least in the vertical plane to maintain substantially constant tension on the end portion of the conduit to absorb expansion of the conduit when the heat transfer fluid flows through the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification