US20120028201A1 - Subsurface heater - Google Patents
Subsurface heater Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120028201A1 US20120028201A1 US12/847,016 US84701610A US2012028201A1 US 20120028201 A1 US20120028201 A1 US 20120028201A1 US 84701610 A US84701610 A US 84701610A US 2012028201 A1 US2012028201 A1 US 2012028201A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- porous refractory
- refractory medium
- combustion product
- subsurface heater
- supply conduit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 115
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 31
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 31
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Zr]=O MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- -1 iron Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- UBAZGMLMVVQSCD-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon dioxide;molecular oxygen Chemical compound O=O.O=C=O UBAZGMLMVVQSCD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000567 combustion gas Substances 0.000 description 30
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004939 coking Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 3
- GGYKPYDKXLHNTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane Chemical compound CCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C GGYKPYDKXLHNTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010796 Steam-assisted gravity drainage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- CBFCDTFDPHXCNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N icosane Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CBFCDTFDPHXCNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003079 shale oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011269 tar Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000014309 Eleocharis tuberosa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000103152 Eleocharis tuberosa Species 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XOJVVFBFDXDTEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Norphytane Natural products CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C XOJVVFBFDXDTEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N Selenium Chemical compound [Se] BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010426 asphalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- KZHJGOXRZJKJNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O KZHJGOXRZJKJNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003350 kerosene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052863 mullite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004058 oil shale Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052711 selenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011669 selenium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011275 tar sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23C—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN A CARRIER GAS OR AIR
- F23C3/00—Combustion apparatus characterised by the shape of the combustion chamber
- F23C3/004—Combustion apparatus characterised by the shape of the combustion chamber the chamber being arranged for submerged combustion
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
- E21B36/02—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones using burners
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23C—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN A CARRIER GAS OR AIR
- F23C99/00—Subject-matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F23C99/006—Flameless combustion stabilised within a bed of porous heat-resistant material
Definitions
- hydrocarbon reservoirs There are extensive hydrocarbon reservoirs distributed throughout the world which, for the foreseeable future, represent key energy resources for the world's continued economic development. These reservoirs often contain a viscous hydrocarbon concoction, called “tar,” “heavy oil,” or “ultra heavy oil,” which typically has a viscosity in the range from about 3,000 to 1,000,000 centipoise when measured at around 37.5° C. Many hydrocarbon bearing geologic formations contain such hydrocarbon concoctions which do not permit a ready flow of the hydrocarbon content to a wellbore for extraction because of their high viscosity. In certain hydrocarbon reservoirs, for example, oil shale reservoirs, the hydrocarbon components must be thermally broken down into lower molecular weight compounds in order to effect their recovery from the reservoir. In certain instances, the reservoir must be heated to a temperature in excess of 300° C. in order to effect even the partial extraction of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir.
- a notable, known thermal process involves an “in situ” combustion technique in which the reservoir, serving as its own fuel source, is ignited through an injection well and a zone of combustion is propagated from the injection well towards a production well.
- the combustion can be somewhat controlled by the position of the injection well and the mode of delivery of the exogenous oxygen needed to effect combustion within the combustion zone.
- in situ combustion techniques produce a complex variety of combustion product gases which must be carefully managed in order to prevent their uncontrolled release into the living environment.
- Heat conduction phenomena within and around the reservoir may play a critical role in hydrocarbon recovery rates, and such rates may be further limited by a tendency of the hydrocarbon components of the reservoir to undergo coking.
- the heat transfer rate from a heat source to the reservoir may be limited by the coking temperature and the ambient temperature of the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.
- methods involving heating of a hydrocarbon reservoir must balance the rate at which heat is introduced into the reservoir against the coking temperature of the hydrocarbon components of the reservoir and the rate at which the heat can be conducted from the heat source into the reservoir.
- the present invention provides a subsurface heater comprising: a combustible gas supply conduit; an oxygen supply conduit and a heat transmissive external housing encompassing the porous refractory medium.
- the combustible gas supply conduit and the oxygen supply conduit are configured as a concentric pair disposed within a porous refractory medium and coupled to a plurality of gas jets disposed within the porous refractory medium.
- the porous refractory medium having disposed within it a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits.
- the combustion product gas return conduits are configured to receive combustion product gases from the porous refractory medium.
- the present invention provides a method for heating a subsurface zone, comprising: (a) creating an accommodation cavity for a subsurface heater; (b) installing the subsurface heater; and (c) operating the subsurface heater.
- the subsurface heater comprises a combustible gas supply conduit and an oxygen supply conduit configured as a concentric pair disposed within a porous refractory medium and coupled to a plurality of gas jets disposed within the porous refractory medium, the porous refractory medium having disposed within it a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits, the combustion product gas return conduits being configured to receive combustion product gases from the porous refractory medium; and a heat transmissive external housing encompassing the porous refractory medium.
- the present invention provides a subsurface heater comprising: a combustible gas supply conduit; an oxygen supply conduit and a heat transmissive external housing encompassing the porous refractory medium.
- the combustible gas supply conduit and the oxygen supply conduit are configured as a concentric pair disposed within a porous refractory medium and coupled to a plurality of gas jets disposed within the porous refractory medium.
- the porous refractory medium having disposed within it a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits.
- the combustion product gas return conduits are configured to receive combustion product gases from the porous refractory medium.
- the plurality of gas jets are independently operable.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a subsurface heater in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a subsurface heater in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a section of a subsurface heater in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a section of a subsurface heater in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a section of a subsurface heater in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- Approximating language may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about”, is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Similarly, “free” may be used in combination with a term, and may include an insubstantial number, or trace amounts, while still being considered free of the modified term.
- embodiments of the present invention include a subsurface heater comprising: a combustible gas supply conduit; an oxygen supply conduit and a heat transmissive external housing encompassing the porous refractory medium.
- the combustible gas supply conduit and the oxygen supply conduit are configured as a concentric pair disposed within a porous refractory medium and coupled to a plurality of gas jets disposed within the porous refractory medium.
- the porous refractory medium having disposed within it a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits.
- the combustion product gas return conduits are configured to receive combustion product gases from the porous refractory medium.
- the subsurface heater 10 includes a combustion gas supply conduit 12 and an oxygen supply conduit 14 .
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 form a concentric pair.
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 can be placed parallel to each other (for example a side by side type of arrangement).
- the combustion gas can be selected from the group consisting of natural gas, hydrocarbons such as methane, propane etc, a premix of methane and air, kerosene type jet fuel and the like.
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 forms an inner conduit of the concentric pair.
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 forms an outer conduit of the concentric pair.
- the oxygen supply conduit 14 can carry gas selected from air, inert gases such as argon, nitrogen, air enriched with oxygen, synthetic mixtures of oxygen and one or more gases, and the like. In another embodiment, the oxygen supply conduit 14 can carry gas that contains at least about 70 percent by weight of oxygen. In yet another embodiment, the oxygen supply conduit 14 can carry gas that contains at least about 90 percent by weight of oxygen.
- the subsurface heater includes a heat transmissive external housing 18 .
- the heat transmissive external housing 18 encompasses a porous refractory medium 20 .
- the area between the outer conduit of the concentric pair and the heat transmissive external housing 18 contains the porous refractory medium 20 .
- the porous refractory medium 20 includes materials that are heat resistant. Non-limiting examples of the materials that can be present in the porous refractory medium 20 include ceramic materials such as alumina, silica, zirconia, silicon carbide, alumina-silicon dioxide (mullite), zirconia-alumina composites, metals balls including metals such as iron, or iron based alloys.
- the porous refractory medium 20 includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, carbon, and silt.
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and the oxygen supply conduit 14 that are configured as a concentric pair disposed within the porous refractory medium 20 .
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and the oxygen supply conduit 14 are coupled to a plurality of gas jets 24 (as shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the gas jets 24 can precess about a central axis defined by the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and the oxygen supply conduit 14 .
- the positions of the gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 may vary with respect to a reference position defined for the axis defined by the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 and is referred to herein as a movement of precession.
- the movement of precession can be comprised of regular rotational intervals with respect to a reference position.
- one of the plurality of gas jets 24 represents the reference position and is denominated as 0 degrees of rotation, while a second adjacent gas jet is precessed with respect to the first gas jet by about 90 degrees of rotation, while the third gas jet adjacent to the second gas jet is precessed with respect to the first gas jet by about 180 degrees of rotation, while a fourth gas jet adjacent to the third gas jet is precessed with respect to the first gas jet by about 270 degrees of rotation, and a fifth gas jet adjacent to the fourth gas jet is precessed with respect to the first gas jet by about 0 degrees of rotation.
- groupings of the plurality of gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 may precess about the axis defined by the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 .
- the movement of precession can be random or discontinuous.
- each one of the plurality of gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 are independently operable i.e. a burner can be switched on or off independently without affecting the status of other burners in the subsurface heater.
- a first plurality of burners located at a reference position denominated 0 degrees along the axis defined by the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 are “switched on” (i.e.
- the plurality of gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 are open and the oxygen-fuel mixture emerging therefrom is burning) while a second plurality of burners located at a reference position denominated 180 degrees along the axis defined by the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 are “switched off” (i.e. gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 are closed).
- the amount of heat produced at any given time by any one of the plurality of gas jets 24 can be varied independently by varying parameters such as pressure of the combustion gas, pressure of the oxygen, or varying the ratio of the oxygen to the combustion gas.
- the plurality of gas jets 24 and associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 may be controlled such that they are open, partially opened or closed depending on need. Conventional control systems may be employed.
- the mechanical components of the burners e.g. the gas jets 24 , the associated oxygen (air) nozzles 22 , and the burner igniter
- a set of operational sensors flame on/off sensor, valve open/closed sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, igniter on/off sensor
- a controller via an insulated control cable arrayed along the axis of and within the combustion gas supply conduit 12 .
- the porous refractory medium 20 can include three zones (not shown) that include a mixing zone, an ignition zone and a reaction zone.
- the reaction zone can also be referred to as a combustion zone as the combustion occurs at the reaction zone.
- the three zone present in the porous refractory medium 20 can be easily distinguishable.
- the three zones can include porous refractory medium 20 having uniform particle size.
- the particle size of the material in the porous refractory medium 20 can vary in the three zones.
- the mixing zone can be packed with small size particles
- the ignition zone can be packed with larger size particles.
- the porous refractory medium 20 includes a plurality of nozzles 22 , at times herein referred to as “air nozzles”, which are coupled to the oxygen supply conduit, release an oxygen-containing gas (e.g. air, oxygen, or a synthetic mixture of oxygen and one or more gases) into the porous refractory medium 20 .
- an oxygen-containing gas e.g. air, oxygen, or a synthetic mixture of oxygen and one or more gases
- the air nozzle 22 and the gas jet 24 can be form a concentric pair.
- the mixing of the oxygen-containing gas supplied by the oxygen supply conduit and the combustion gas occurs in the vicinity of the plurality of gas jets 24 .
- the mixture of combustion gas and oxygen can be ignited by an igniter, for example a small open flame burner, an electrically heated wire, or a spark device. Once ignited the flame may propagate into the combustion zone in the porous refractory medium 20 .
- combustion product gas return conduits 16 Disposed within the porous refractory medium 20 is a plurality of combustion product gas return conduits 16 .
- the combustion product gas return conduits 16 are configured to receive combustion product gases that are formed as a result of combustion in the porous refractory medium 20 .
- Combustion product gases are typically comprised of carbon dioxide and water nut may include other products as well.
- the combustion product gas return conduits 16 are symmetrically disposed with respect to each other within the porous refractory medium 20 .
- the combustion product gas return conduits 16 are located on the periphery of the porous refractory medium 20 adjacent to an inner surface of the heat transmissive external housing 18 .
- the combustion product gas return conduits 16 can be disposed in a random or discontinuous manner throughout the porous refractory medium 20 . In another embodiment, the combustion product gas return conduits 16 can be disposed in a periodic manner in the porous refractory medium 20 . In yet another embodiment, the combustion product gas return conduits 16 can be spaced in a cluster in the porous refractory medium 20 . In one embodiment, the combustion product gas return conduits 16 include a porous outer surface that enables the flow of the combustion product gases to flow into the conduits from the porous refractory medium 20 . In one embodiment, the combustion product gas return conduits 16 can be independently operable.
- the term “independently operable” means that at any given time only some or all of the combustion product gas return conduits 16 can be operable to conduct the combustion product gas from the porous refractory medium 20 .
- the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and oxygen supply conduit 14 disposed in the porous refractory medium 20 are configured to have an opposed flow with the heat generated as a result of combustion, i.e. the heat is conducted towards the central part of the porous refractory medium 20 while the combustion gas and the oxygen flow away from the center.
- the combustion gas and the oxygen are maintained at a temperature of about 50° C. which aids in lower flow velocities and reduces pressure losses.
- the fuel and air tubes i.e. the combustible gas supply conduit and the oxygen supply conduit
- the fuel and air tubes may be in close proximity to the combustion zone of the porous refractory medium and there is a tendency of heat to flow toward the center of the subsurface heater as well as being radiated outwardly from the subsurface heater.
- the temperature within each of the conduits can be maintained at relatively low temperature during operation of the subsurface burner. Lower flow velocities and lower pressure losses are a result, of the relatively low temperatures prevailing within the fuel and oxygen containing gas supply conduits.
- the subsurface heater can further include a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown).
- the temperature sensor can be disposed within the subsurface heater.
- the temperature sensor can be disposed outside an outer surface of the heat transmissive external housing 18 of the subsurface heater.
- the temperature sensor is configured to provide data to a control system.
- FIG. 2 is a section 30 of the subsurface heater according to one embodiment of the invention.
- the pressurized combustion gas from the combustion gas supply conduit 12 and the oxygen from the oxygen supply conduit 14 are contacted with the porous refractory medium 20 through the gas jet 24 and the air nozzle 22 respectively.
- the combustion product gas return conduits 16 are disposed periphery of the porous refractory medium 20 adjacent to an inner surface 26 of the heat transmissive external housing 18 .
- FIG. 3 is a section of the subsurface heater 50 according to one embodiment of the invention.
- the oxygen 52 and the combustion gas 54 flow into the reaction zone 56 in the porous refractory medium 20 .
- the propagation of the flame is radial.
- the equivalence ratio contour which is defined as an estimated contour along which the combustion gas to the oxygen ratio is equal to the stoichiometric ratio of the combustion gas to the oxygen. This indicates that the reaction or combustion occurs stoichiometrically along the contour.
- the highest flame temperature can be experienced in the region defined by the contour.
- FIG. 4 depicts the temperature profile along a section of the subsurface heater according to one embodiment of the invention.
- the temperature is found to be dependent upon the distance from the axis defined by the center of the combustion gas supply conduit 12 .
- FIG. 5 provides data 80 demonstrating the temperature contours or isotherms 82 , 84 , 86 , 88 and 90 within a subsurface heater during operation according to one embodiment of the invention.
- the subsurface heater can be operated in a pressurized environment. In another embodiment, the can be operable at varying combustion gas and oxygen pressures over several thousands of feet in length. In one embodiment, the heat released from the combustion product gas return conduits 16 is relatively low, for example when the average temperature of the combustion product gases within and along the length of the combustion product gas return conduits 16 is less than about 200° C. Under such conditions the generation of NOx may be minimal. In one embodiment, and the combustion product gases comprise less than about 2 ppm NOx.
- Another aspect of the invention provides a method for heating a subsurface zone, comprising: (a) creating an accommodation cavity for a subsurface heater; (b) installing the subsurface heater; and (c) operating the subsurface heater.
- the accommodation cavity can be created in a hydrocarbon reservoir.
- hydrocarbon is defined as compounds comprising carbon and hydrogen.
- hydrocarbon-containing reservoirs may contain a host of components comprising elements other than carbon and hydrogen, for example halogens, nitrogen, oxygen, metals, sulfur, and selenium.
- Non-limiting examples of components which may be present in a hydrocarbon reservoir include, straight chain and branched hydrocarbons, for example eicosane (a C 20 straight chain hydrocarbon) and phytane (a C 20 branched hydrocarbon), bitumen, oil tars, minerals, asphaltites, kerogen, and the like.
- the hydrocarbon reservoir is typically contained within a geologic matrix, such as sedimentary rock, sands, silicilytes, carbonates, diatomites, and the like.
- the hydrocarbon reservoir is a subterranean, viscous oil-containing formation.
- the hydrocarbon reservoir is contained within a heavy oil tar sand formation.
- hydrocarbon reservoir is contained within a shale oil formation.
- the accommodation cavity can be subterranean, located under tundra, under sea or inland based wells.
- SAGD steam assisted gravity drainage
- the accommodation cavity can be created in a near-surface zone.
- near-surface zones include but are not limited to construction activity zones, water containment zones, water transport zones (e.g. municipal water delivery and waste water removal), and water treatment zones such as municipal water treatment plants.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Resistance Heating (AREA)
- Air Supply (AREA)
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/847,016 US20120028201A1 (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2010-07-30 | Subsurface heater |
IT001250A ITMI20111250A1 (it) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-05 | Riscaldatore subsuperficiale |
CA2746301A CA2746301A1 (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-14 | Subsurface heater |
ZA2011/05289A ZA201105289B (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-18 | Subsurface heater |
BRPI1103484-0A BRPI1103484A2 (pt) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-20 | aquecedor de subsuperfÍcie mÉtodo para aquecer uma zona de subsuperfÍcie |
ARP110102692A AR082348A1 (es) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-26 | Calentador subsuperficial |
RU2011131504/03A RU2011131504A (ru) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-28 | Подземный нагреватель |
CN2011102243447A CN102410008A (zh) | 2010-07-30 | 2011-07-29 | 地下加热器 |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/847,016 US20120028201A1 (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2010-07-30 | Subsurface heater |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120028201A1 true US20120028201A1 (en) | 2012-02-02 |
Family
ID=44898768
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/847,016 Abandoned US20120028201A1 (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2010-07-30 | Subsurface heater |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120028201A1 (es) |
CN (1) | CN102410008A (es) |
AR (1) | AR082348A1 (es) |
BR (1) | BRPI1103484A2 (es) |
CA (1) | CA2746301A1 (es) |
IT (1) | ITMI20111250A1 (es) |
RU (1) | RU2011131504A (es) |
ZA (1) | ZA201105289B (es) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113021826A (zh) * | 2021-02-26 | 2021-06-25 | 重庆鸽牌电线电缆有限公司 | 一种自灭火电缆生产方法 |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104533377A (zh) * | 2014-11-06 | 2015-04-22 | 新奥气化采煤有限公司 | 一种喷嘴及气化方法 |
CN107461180A (zh) * | 2015-03-07 | 2017-12-12 | 刘玉友 | 一种井下连续油管作业设备 |
CN106869899B (zh) * | 2016-12-09 | 2023-01-06 | 徐斌 | 点火装置 |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3358736A (en) * | 1965-07-16 | 1967-12-19 | Zink Co John | Rotary gas burner assembly |
US4900245A (en) * | 1988-10-25 | 1990-02-13 | Solaronics | Infrared heater for fluid immersion apparatus |
US5676536A (en) * | 1994-12-15 | 1997-10-14 | W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Raw gas burner and process for burning oxygenic constituents in process gas |
US5778676A (en) * | 1996-01-02 | 1998-07-14 | General Electric Company | Dual fuel mixer for gas turbine combustor |
US5901555A (en) * | 1996-02-05 | 1999-05-11 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Gas turbine combustor having multiple burner groups and independently operable pilot fuel injection systems |
US20070172398A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-07-26 | Clark Daniel O | Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a process abatement reactor |
US20070276205A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2007-11-29 | Kudra Malcolm J | Image management system for use in dermatological examinations |
US20080016876A1 (en) * | 2005-06-02 | 2008-01-24 | General Electric Company | Method and apparatus for reducing gas turbine engine emissions |
US20090095476A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2009-04-16 | Scott Vinh Nguyen | Molten salt as a heat transfer fluid for heating a subsurface formation |
US7758337B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2010-07-20 | Enerday Gmbh | Burner device with a porous body |
-
2010
- 2010-07-30 US US12/847,016 patent/US20120028201A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-07-05 IT IT001250A patent/ITMI20111250A1/it unknown
- 2011-07-14 CA CA2746301A patent/CA2746301A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-07-18 ZA ZA2011/05289A patent/ZA201105289B/en unknown
- 2011-07-20 BR BRPI1103484-0A patent/BRPI1103484A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2011-07-26 AR ARP110102692A patent/AR082348A1/es unknown
- 2011-07-28 RU RU2011131504/03A patent/RU2011131504A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2011-07-29 CN CN2011102243447A patent/CN102410008A/zh active Pending
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3358736A (en) * | 1965-07-16 | 1967-12-19 | Zink Co John | Rotary gas burner assembly |
US4900245A (en) * | 1988-10-25 | 1990-02-13 | Solaronics | Infrared heater for fluid immersion apparatus |
US5676536A (en) * | 1994-12-15 | 1997-10-14 | W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Raw gas burner and process for burning oxygenic constituents in process gas |
US5778676A (en) * | 1996-01-02 | 1998-07-14 | General Electric Company | Dual fuel mixer for gas turbine combustor |
US5901555A (en) * | 1996-02-05 | 1999-05-11 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Gas turbine combustor having multiple burner groups and independently operable pilot fuel injection systems |
US20070276205A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2007-11-29 | Kudra Malcolm J | Image management system for use in dermatological examinations |
US7758337B2 (en) * | 2004-10-13 | 2010-07-20 | Enerday Gmbh | Burner device with a porous body |
US20080016876A1 (en) * | 2005-06-02 | 2008-01-24 | General Electric Company | Method and apparatus for reducing gas turbine engine emissions |
US20070172398A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-07-26 | Clark Daniel O | Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a process abatement reactor |
US20090095476A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2009-04-16 | Scott Vinh Nguyen | Molten salt as a heat transfer fluid for heating a subsurface formation |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113021826A (zh) * | 2021-02-26 | 2021-06-25 | 重庆鸽牌电线电缆有限公司 | 一种自灭火电缆生产方法 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
RU2011131504A (ru) | 2013-02-10 |
AR082348A1 (es) | 2012-11-28 |
ITMI20111250A1 (it) | 2012-01-31 |
CA2746301A1 (en) | 2012-01-30 |
ZA201105289B (en) | 2012-03-28 |
CN102410008A (zh) | 2012-04-11 |
BRPI1103484A2 (pt) | 2013-01-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6079499A (en) | Heater well method and apparatus | |
US6016867A (en) | Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens by in situ hydrovisbreaking | |
CA2722452C (en) | Field management for substantially constant composition gas generation | |
US20090260811A1 (en) | Methods for generation of subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation | |
US7841407B2 (en) | Method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation | |
CA2407404A1 (en) | A method for treating a hydrocarbon-containing formation | |
ZA200209233B (en) | A method for treating a hydrocarbon-containing formation. | |
US20120028201A1 (en) | Subsurface heater | |
US20120103604A1 (en) | Subsurface heating device | |
WO2014085855A1 (en) | Oxidant injection method for underground coal gasification | |
US8312927B2 (en) | Apparatus and methods for adjusting operational parameters to recover hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil shale and sands | |
CA2445449C (en) | In-situ combustion for oil recovery | |
US20090260810A1 (en) | Method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation | |
US20090260809A1 (en) | Method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation | |
US10107087B2 (en) | Producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation | |
AU2002212320A1 (en) | In-situ combustion for oil recovery | |
US2985240A (en) | Bottom hole burner | |
US20090260812A1 (en) | Methods of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation | |
CA2335737C (en) | Recovery of heavy hydrocarbons by in-situ hydrovisbreaking | |
EP1381752B1 (en) | In-situ combustion for oil recovery | |
AU2015100794A4 (en) | Oxidant Injection Method For Underground Coal Gasification |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MOHAMED, SHERIF HATEM ABDULLA;JOSHI, NARENDRA DIGAMBER;IDELCHIK, MICHAEL SOLOMON;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100728 TO 20100730;REEL/FRAME:025113/0423 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |