Thermal fluid stimulation Unit

• US 20070289618A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana W. Lofton
• Original Assignee: Dana Wayne Lofton, Thurman Eddie Jr. Lofton
• Inventors: Lofton, Dana Wayne, Lofton, Thurman Eddie
• Granted Patent: US 7,740,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/57.R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/08 Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/08 cleaning in situ of down-hole filters, screens, e.g. casing perforations, or gravel packs E21B37/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A reservoir cleaning, treating and/or stimulation system allows the operator to control the speed and pressure of delivery of the treating fluid into the reservoir and remove or dissolve sediment particles settled in the reservoir or the reservoir formation. The system uses a thermal heater capable of heating the treating fluid from ambient temperature to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. A charge pump mounted on an intake side of the heater forces the treating fluid through the heater, while the treating fluid passes through the tubing of the heater. The heated treating fluid is channeled to a discharge pump on an outlet side of the heater, where the treating fluid is pressurized to a value sufficient to overcome the pressure existing within the reservoir and cause displacement or dissolution of the sediment in the reservoir. A flow meter mounted between the heater and the charge pump regulates the volume of the treating fluid being admitted into the heater. A plurality of sensors and gauges strategically mounted within the system ensure safe operation of the system in the field. The system is mounted on a portable skid that can be delivered to the field and removed upon completion of the cleaning, treating and/or reservoir stimulation operation.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating a reservoir using a treating fluid, the system comprising:

a heater device for heating the treating fluid to a predetermined temperature;

a charge pump mounted on an intake side of the heater device for forcing the treating fluid through the heater device;

a means mounted between the heater device and the charge pump for regulating an amount of treating fluid being admitted into the heater device; and

a discharge pump on an outlet side of the heater device capable of increasing the pressure of the treating fluid, said discharge pump being connectable to an inlet side of the reservoir being cleaned, treated and/or stimulated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for regulating the amount of treating fluid treating device comprises a flow meter operationally connected to the charge pump.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an emergency control means for conducting an emergency shut-down procedure, said emergency control means being operationally connected to the flow meter.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said emergency control means comprises a plurality of sensors for detecting out-of-range conditions within the heater device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said emergency shut-down means further comprises at least one emergency shut-down switch for stopping operation of the system when any one of the plurality of sensors detects an out-of-range condition.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a means for delivering compressed air into a fuel nozzle of the heater device for creating an atomized fuel/air mixture in the heater device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said means for delivering compressed air comprise an air compressor, an air blower and an air compressor pump operationally connected to a nozzle of the heater device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of sensors comprise a high/low air pressure sensor, a flame sensor, a stack temperature sensor, a low blower pressure sensor, and a heater high/low pressure sensor.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of gauges operationally connected to said sensors and capable of providing visual information of conditions detected by each of said high/low air pressure sensor, flame sensor, stack temperature sensor, low blower pressure sensor, and said heater high/low pressure sensor.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said air compressor and said air blower are electrically powered.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a discharge control means for controlling volume and pressure of a discharge flow exiting the discharge pump.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said discharge control means comprises a discharge flow controller device and a discharge pressure controller device operationally connected to the discharge pump.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said discharge pump is a hydraulically operated positive displacement pump.

14. A method of cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating a reservoir, comprising the steps:

providing a source of treating fluid;

providing a heater device for heating the treating fluid to a predetermined temperature;

providing a charge pump mounted on an intake side of the heater device and forcing the treating fluid through the heater device to thereby heat the treating fluid to a pre-determined temperature suitable for cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir, while regulating a volume of fluid admitted into the heater based on anticipated volume of the treating fluid required for cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir;

providing a discharge pump on an outlet side of the heater device capable of increasing the pressure of the treating fluid, and connecting said discharge pump to an inlet side of the reservoir being cleaned, treated and/or stimulated; and

channeling the heated treating fluid into the reservoir under pressure, thereby cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a step of generating compressed air, forcing the compressed air through a fuel nozzle of said heater device and creating an atomized fuel/air mixture for heating said treating fluid.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a wellbore.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a pipeline.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a storage container.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the treating fluid is heated to a pre-determined temperature of between ambient and about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of generating compressed air comprises providing an air compressor connected to an air blower and an air compressor pump.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of sensors for detecting out-of-range conditions within the heater device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said plurality of sensors comprise a high/low air pressure sensor, a flame sensor, a stack temperature sensor, a low blower pressure sensor, and a heater high/low pressure sensor.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of providing a plurality of gauges and operationally connecting the plurality of gauges to said sensors so as to provide visual information of conditions detected by each of said high/low air pressure sensor, flame sensor, stack temperature sensor, low blower pressure sensor, and said heater high/low pressure sensor.

24. The method of claim 14, further providing a discharge control means for controlling volume and pressure of a discharge flow exiting the discharge pump.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said discharge control means comprises a discharge flow controller device and a discharge pressure controller device operationally connected to the discharge pump.