Hydrodynamics to limit boiler fouling

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-08-21
CONOCOPHILLIPS CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method and system for generating steam for oil production. The method involves heating water in a boiler tube using heat transfer from flue gases, and then injecting the water at multiple locations through the wall of the tube to enhance flow mixing. This improves the efficiency of heat transfer and increases the amount of steam produced. The system includes an economizer section, a radiant section, and a fouling mitigation feature to prevent the accumulation of deposits on the boiler tubes. Overall, this invention provides a more efficient and effective way to generate steam for oil production.

Problems solved by technology

Costs associated with building a complex, large, sophisticated facility to process water and generate steam contributes to economic challenges of oil sands production operations.
Even with extensive water treatment, fouling issues persist and are primarily dealt with through regular pigging of boiler tubes, which increases operating costs and results in a loss of steam production capacity that translates to an equivalent reduction in production.

Method used

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  • Hydrodynamics to limit boiler fouling
  • Hydrodynamics to limit boiler fouling
  • Hydrodynamics to limit boiler fouling

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0015]Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for generating steam from water that may be recycled in thermal oil recovery processes and is heated in tubes having non-obtrusive features to limit fouling formation. The tubes may include jets to enhance flow mixing along an inner wall of the tubes in order to increase heat transfer and disrupt bubble nucleation. Employing the tubes with the inner wall having an average surface roughness of less than one micron may further facilitate disruption of the bubble nucleation.

[0016]Turning now to the detailed description of the preferred arrangement or arrangements of the present invention, it should be understood that the inventive features and concepts may be manifested in other arrangements and that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated. The scope of the invention is intended only to be limited by the scope of the claims that follow.

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sys...

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Abstract

Methods and systems relate to generating steam from water that may be recycled in thermal oil recovery processes and is heated in tubes having non-obtrusive features to limit fouling formation. The tubes may include jets to generate enhanced flow mixing along an inner wall of the tubes in order to increase heat transfer and disrupt bubble nucleation. Employing the tubes with the inner wall having an average surface roughness of less than one micron may further facilitate disruption of the bubble nucleation.

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 / 766,463 filed 19 Feb. 2013, entitled “HYDRODYNAMICS TO LIMIT BOILER FOULING,” 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 methods and systems for generating steam from water that may be recycled in thermal oil recovery processes and is heated in tubes having non-obtrusive features to disrupt fouling formation.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 heat...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F22D11/00F22B37/48F22D7/04
CPCF22D11/006F22D7/04F22B37/486
InventorKOLADE, BABAJIDESEABA, JAMES P.LATIMER, EDWARD G.
OwnerCONOCOPHILLIPS CO