Blowdown Mixture for Thermal Recovery Heat Scavenging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal recovery processes such as steam assisted gravity drainage and cyclic steam stimulation often leave behind significant amounts of oil and heat in the steam chamber, necessitating a more efficient method to recover these resources and improve process economics.
Innovation Solution
A blowdown method involving a mixture of glycol and water, along with a viscosifying agent like polyol, is introduced into the steam chamber after steam injection is terminated, allowing heat absorption and enhanced oil recovery through viscosification, which can be recovered from the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If non-condensable gas is injected into the steam chamber, then additional oil recovery is achieved, but sweep efficiency remains insufficient and heat scavenging is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the injection medium from non-condensable gas to a condensable liquid mixture (glycol and water). This phase change enables the injection medium to condense and release latent heat, providing both heat scavenging and improved sweep efficiency while maintaining oil recovery capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite blowdown mixture of glycol and water instead of a single substance. This composite formulation combines the heat absorption capabilities of glycol with the fluid properties of water, creating a medium that simultaneously provides heat scavenging, improved sweep efficiency, and effective oil displacement
2Quantity of substance
If steam injection continues at high rate and temperature, then oil recovery is maintained, but heat loss increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the blowdown mixture from liquid to vapor as it absorbs heat from the steam chamber. This phase change process efficiently scavenges heat from the formation without requiring continuous high-temperature steam injection, thereby reducing heat loss and operational costs while maintaining oil recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The blowdown mixture automatically absorbs heat from the steam chamber through its phase change process, providing self-regulating heat scavenging. This eliminates the need for additional energy input to maintain the recovery process, allowing the system to sustain oil recovery while reducing external energy requirements and heat loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method increases sweep efficiency and recovers additional oil and heat, reducing operational costs by utilizing the absorbed heat to generate additional steam, thereby enhancing project economics.
Implementation Method 1
Heat can be adsorbed from the steam chamber onto the blowdown mixture
Implementation Method 2
Oil from the steam chamber can be viscosified with the viscosifying agent to increase the sweep efficiency and produce oil
Data Source
AI summary
A method of blowdown for a steam chamber of a thermal recovery process is provided. A blowdown mixture is introduced into the steam chamber. The blowdown mixture can include glycol and water. Heat can be adsorbed from the steam chamber onto the blowdown mixture. A viscosifying agent can also be introduced into the steam chamber. Oil from the steam chamber can be emulsified with the viscosifying agent to produce oil or emulsions of oil. The blowdown mixture and the oil or emulstions of oil can both be recovered from the steam chamber.