Constructed Permeability Infrastructure for Tar Sand Hydrocarbon Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting hydrocarbons from tar sands and similar water-containing hydrocarbonaceous materials face challenges such as high energy and water consumption, environmental impact, and uncertainty in preventing aquifer contamination, with existing in-situ processes requiring long-term heating and posing risks to groundwater.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a constructed permeability control infrastructure to encapsulate and heat hydrocarbonaceous materials, allowing for controlled removal of water vapor and subsequent hydrocarbon extraction, reducing water usage and environmental risks while improving process control and product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hot water extraction or in-situ processes are used to recover hydrocarbons from tar sands, then hydrocarbon recovery is achieved, but water consumption increases significantly (several barrels of water per barrel of petroleum produced)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water from the hydrocarbonaceous material before hydrocarbon recovery. A water removal system is integrated into the constructed infrastructure to separate water vapor from hydrocarbons, enabling hydrocarbon extraction with minimal water consumption rather than requiring large volumes of water for extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to vapor phase through heating. By controlling temperature parameters during the heating process, water is vaporized and separated from hydrocarbons, allowing subsequent hydrocarbon recovery without requiring large quantities of liquid water for extraction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If in-situ processes with freeze walls are used to prevent aquifer contamination, then environmental protection is improved, but long-term reliability of contamination prevention remains uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water from the hydrocarbonaceous material before heating and hydrocarbon recovery. By removing water in advance, the constructed infrastructure eliminates the primary medium that could facilitate contamination to aquifers, thereby achieving both environmental protection and long-term reliability without relying on uncertain freeze wall barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs water removal as a preliminary action before the main hydrocarbon recovery process and before any potential contamination could occur. This preliminary water removal step prevents the formation of contaminating fluids that could migrate to aquifers, providing reliable long-term environmental protection
3Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used to recover hydrocarbons, then production volume is achieved, but environmental impact increases due to water disposal in drainage ponds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water presence into a beneficial separation process. Water, which would normally require disposal in environmental damage, is instead vaporized and removed as a controlled process step, enabling hydrocarbon recovery while eliminating the need for large drainage ponds and reducing environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes water from the system before hydrocarbon recovery, preventing water from becoming waste that requires disposal in drainage ponds. The water is removed as vapor through the constructed infrastructure, eliminating the source of environmental harm while maintaining production volume
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 approach significantly reduces water consumption, lowers air emissions, prevents aquifer contamination, and enhances hydrocarbon recovery efficiency, offering a more predictable and environmentally friendly method for extracting hydrocarbons with improved economic viability and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove water therefrom in the form of water vapor
Implementation Method 2
The remaining dewatered permeable body can be heated sufficiently to remove hydrocarbons therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined or separately collected water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via an outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.