Direct steam generation co2 output control

Abstract

Methods and systems generate steam and carbon dioxide mixtures suitable for injection to assist in recovering hydrocarbons from oil sands based on concentration of the carbon dioxide in the mixtures as influenced by temperature of water introduced into a direct steam generator. Increasing temperature of the water to above 200° C. before introduction into the direct steam generator may utilize heat from an electrical power generation unit. Enthalpy of this preheated water impacts amount of fuel needed to burn in the direct steam generator and hence the concentration of the carbon dioxide, which may be below 11% by mass percent of the steam.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a non-provisional application which claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 697,026 filed Sep. 5, 2012, entitled “DIRECT STEAM GENERATION CO2 OUTPUT CONTROL,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]None.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the invention relate to generating a stream containing steam and carbon dioxide for injection during steam assisted hydrocarbon recovery processes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) provides an exemplary steam assisted recovery process for producing bitumen within oil sands. During SAGD operations, steam introduced into a reservoir through a horizontal injector well transfers heat to the bitumen upon condensation. The bitumen with reduced viscosity due to this heating drains together with steam condensate and is recovered via a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method and system for generating a mixture of steam and carbon dioxide, which involves using a direct steam generator to combust fuel and oxidant while heating water to produce the mixture. The resulting mixture has a low level of carbon dioxide and is ideal for use in oil and gas production. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a reliable and efficient way to produce a high-quality mixture of steam and carbon dioxide for use in various industrial applications.

Problems solved by technology

However, desired concentrations of the carbon dioxide within the steam to achieve such benefits for any particular SAGD application may not coincide with output from the direct steam generation.

Dilution with pure steam can provide the desired concentrations but introduces expenses associated with boilers and steam transport.

Images