Down-hole Combustor for Tight-shale Oil Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing crude oil from tight-shale formations using hydraulic fracking are not economically viable due to low permeability and high interface surface tension among oil, gas, and water phases, restricting the flow of fluids through the shale.
Innovation Solution
A down-hole compact liquid rocket engine style combustor is used to inject high-temperature nitric acid and oxidizer into the shale formation, reducing surface tension and increasing permeability by producing methane and carbon dioxide, which facilitates the extraction of oil and gas through radial cracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracking methods are used to produce crude oil from tight-shale formations, then oil production is attempted, but low permeability and high interface surface tension restrict fluid flow and make the process economically unviable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by injecting high-temperature oxidizer (such as nitrogen dioxide or oxygen) into the tight-shale formation to chemically alter the kerogen and oil properties. This thermal and chemical treatment changes the physical parameters of the shale matrix, increasing permeability and reducing interfacial surface tension between oil, gas, and water phases, thereby enabling economically viable oil production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes strong oxidants (nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, or air) injected at high temperatures to accelerate oxidation reactions within the shale formation. This accelerated oxidation breaks down kerogen and modifies the oil matrix, effectively increasing permeability and reducing surface tension forces that previously restricted fluid flow, thus resolving the technical contradiction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-temperature oxidizer is injected into the shale formation, then permeability increases and surface tension decreases, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the injected oxidizer reacts with kerogen and formation materials to generate heat and pressure internally within the shale formation. This self-sustaining chemical reaction system reduces the need for external heating equipment and complex control systems, as the formation itself becomes the reaction chamber and heat source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical heating and pressurization systems with chemical reactions. Instead of using external heaters and high-pressure pumps to achieve the necessary temperature and pressure conditions, the system uses chemical oxidation reactions to generate these conditions in situ, thereby reducing mechanical device complexity
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
The solution effectively lowers interfacial surface tensions, enhancing fluid flow and extraction efficiency, allowing for the production of oil and gas from tight-shale formations by creating radial fractures and increasing pore pressures beyond hydraulic fracking pressures.
Implementation Method 1
A down-hole compact liquid rocket engine style combustor is used to inject high-temperature nitric acid and oxidizer into the shale formation
Implementation Method 2
combustion of kerogen and production of nitric acid, methane, and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
inject high-temperature nitric acid and oxidizer into the shale formation, reducing surface tension
Implementation Method 4
increasing permeability by producing methane and carbon dioxide, which facilitates the extraction of oil and gas through radial cracks
Implementation Method 5
creating radial fractures and increasing pore pressures beyond hydraulic fracking pressures
Data Source
AI summary
A tight-shale oil production tool includes a combustor operable to generate an aqueous-phase nitric acid, combustion products.