Fluorinated Hydrocarbon Additives for Bitumen Viscosity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) methods for hydrocarbon recovery are energy-intensive, require significant fresh water, and have limited production rates due to high viscosity of bitumen, with existing additives often causing stable emulsions that cannot be broken, reducing the effectiveness of bitumen recovery.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating fluorinated hydrocarbons as additives that can be injected with steam or water into the subterranean formation to reduce viscosity and improve heat efficiency, allowing for increased bitumen recovery without interfering with the emulsion process, thus reducing the steam-to-oil ratio and enhancing production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam is injected to reduce bitumen viscosity, then bitumen flow is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the steam by adding fluorinated hydrocarbons to the steam composition. This modifies the thermal and chemical properties of the steam, enabling it to reduce bitumen viscosity more effectively while requiring less steam volume, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining improved bitumen flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluorinated hydrocarbons act as intermediary substances that facilitate the interaction between steam and bitumen. These additives mediate the heat transfer process and enhance the viscosity reduction effect, allowing steam to be more efficient in its action on bitumen.
2Productivity
If conventional additives are added to improve recovery, then bitumen extraction is enhanced, but emulsion stability increases causing recovery problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the additives by selecting fluorinated hydrocarbons with specific molecular structures and properties. These chemical parameter changes result in additives that enhance bitumen extraction while lacking the emulsion-stabilizing properties of conventional additives, thus preventing formation of stable emulsions.
3Productivity
If steam injection is increased to improve bitumen recovery, then production increases, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal efficiency parameter of steam by incorporating fluorinated hydrocarbons, which have different heat transfer characteristics. This enhancement in thermal efficiency allows the same amount of steam to achieve greater bitumen recovery, thereby reducing the total volume of water/steam required for the process.
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 use of fluorinated hydrocarbons enhances bitumen extraction by improving heat efficiency, reducing the steam-to-oil ratio, and preventing stable emulsions, leading to increased bitumen recovery and optimized production levels, even when production declines.
Implementation Method 1
steam injection for a period of weeks to months to heat the hydrocarbon, bitumen or heavy oil resource in the reservoir, thereby reducing its viscosity such that it will be able to flow
Implementation Method 2
the steam condenses and a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion forms allowing the hydrocarbon to travel more readily to the producing well
Implementation Method 3
contacting a hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation with steam or water, contacting the hydrocarbon with one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 4
the hydrocarbons or bitumen are now able to enter the production well... the hydrocarbons or bitumen drain along the edge of the steam chamber under the influence of gravity to the lower producing well
Data Source
AI summary
Processes for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations are disclosed. The hydrocarbon can be contacted with water or steam and one or more additives, and subsequently recovered. The hydrocarbon can be selected from heavy or light crude oil, bitumen, an oil sand ore, a tar sand ore, and combinations thereof. The additive can be, for example, a fluorinated hydrocarbon. Compositions or mixtures including hydrocarbons, water or steam, and additives are also disclosed.