Liquid indirect steam boiler

Abstract

Systems and methods generate steam in hydrocarbon recovery operations and may further enable emulsion separation and product upgrading. The methods rely on indirect boiling of water by contact with a thermal transfer liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Examples of the liquid include oils, recovered hydrocarbons, liquid metals and brine. Heating of the liquid may utilize circulation of the liquid across or through a furnace, heat exchangers, or a gas-liquid contactor supplied with hot gas. Further, a solvent for bitumen introduced into the water may also vaporize upon contact with the thermal transfer liquid.

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 / 737,945 filed Dec. 17, 2012, entitled “LIQUID INDIRECT STEAM BOILER,” 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 generally to methods and systems for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations, such as oil sands production.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Several techniques utilized to recover hydrocarbons in the form of bitumen from oil sands rely on generated steam to heat and lower viscosity of the hydrocarbons when the steam is injected into the oil sands. One common approach for this type of recovery includes steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). The hydrocarbons once heated become mobile enough for production along with the condensed steam, which is then recovered...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to generate steam in a hydrocarbon recovery operation. The method involves collecting produced water and hydrocarbons from underground and heating it in a vessel to create steam. This steam is then separated from the liquid and injected into the formation to help recover more oil. The technical effect of this method is that it provides a simple way to increase the efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery operations.

Problems solved by technology

Costs associated with building a complex, large, sophisticated facility to process water and generate steam contribute to economic challenges of oil sands production operations.

Such a facility represents much of the capital costs of these operations.

Chemical and energy usage of the facility along with expense of diluents to maintain transportability of the bitumen once cooled also contribute to operating costs.

However, boiler feed water to these steam generators requires expensive de-oiling and treatment to limit boiler fouling problems.

Even with this treatment, fouling issues persist and are primarily dealt with through regular pigging of the boilers.

This recurring maintenance further increases operating costs and results in a loss of steam production capacity, which translates to an equivalent reduction in bitumen extraction.

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