Apparatus and method for extracting petroleum from underground sites using reformed gases
First Claim
1. A system for recovering oil from an oil well comprising:
- a portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming a fuel source comprising a biomass source to generate a driver gas that includes products of reforming the fuel source which consist of hydrogen gas mixed with carbon dioxide gas, anda compressor for compressing the driver gas to a pressure appropriate for injection into an oil well;
wherein, the portable, self-contained apparatus further comprises a counter-flow heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger provides energy from the released driver gas to the incoming reformer fuel source to facilitate an autothermal reformer reaction; and
wherein the portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming the fuel source is located on-site of the oil well for the generation of the driver gas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for removing oil or natural gas from the ground may include, for example, reforming a fuel source by reaction with water to generate driver gas, and injecting the driver gas into the oil well. The reforming operation may include causing the combustion of a combustible material with ambient oxygen for the release of energy; and heating a reforming reaction fuel and water sources, with the energy released from the combustion of the combustible material, to a temperature above that required for the reforming reaction wherein the fuel and water sources are reformed into driver gas. In one example, the amount of the combustible material combusted is sufficient to result in the release of enough energy to heat an amount of the reforming reaction fuel and water sources to the temperature above that required for the reforming reaction to proceed. The driver gas may be used to help extract oil from the ground and especially oil from depleted oil wells. It may also be used to drive natural gas trapped underground or in coal beds to the surface.
133 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for recovering oil from an oil well comprising:
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a portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming a fuel source comprising a biomass source to generate a driver gas that includes products of reforming the fuel source which consist of hydrogen gas mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and a compressor for compressing the driver gas to a pressure appropriate for injection into an oil well; wherein, the portable, self-contained apparatus further comprises a counter-flow heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger provides energy from the released driver gas to the incoming reformer fuel source to facilitate an autothermal reformer reaction; and wherein the portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming the fuel source is located on-site of the oil well for the generation of the driver gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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5. The system of further comprising a driver gas outlet port for removal of driver gas produced in the reaction chamber.
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12. A system for recovering oil from an oil well comprising:
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a portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming a fuel source comprising coal to generate a driver gas that includes products of reforming the fuel source which consist of hydrogen gas mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and a compressor for compressing the driver gas to a pressure appropriate for injection into an oil well; and wherein, the portable, self-contained apparatus further comprises a counter-flow heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger provides energy from the released driver gas to the incoming reformer fuel source to facilitate an autothermal reformer reaction; and wherein the portable, self-contained apparatus for reforming the fuel source is located on-site of the oil well for the generation of the driver gas. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification