Hydrotreating Unit for Removing Clogging Compounds from In Situ Heat Treatment Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing hydrocarbons and hydrogen from hydrocarbon-containing formations are inefficient, leading to high operating costs and insufficient injection capacity, particularly in impermeable formations like oil shale and tar sands.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method involving in situ heat treatment processes, including the use of heaters and hydrotreating units to produce and process formation fluids, which involves heating subsurface formations to increase permeability and then separating and treating the resulting fluid streams to remove clogging compositions and produce transportation fuels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If in situ heat treatment processes are used to treat impermeable formations like oil shale and tar sands, then permeability is improved and hydrocarbon recovery is enhanced, but operating costs increase and injection capacity becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoidinjection capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection system is segmented into multiple injection wells distributed across the formation, allowing the total injection capacity to be divided across several smaller wells. This overcomes the limitation of individual well capacity while maintaining the ability to treat large volumes of impermeable formation material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional single-phase liquid injection to two-phase injection (liquid and gas phases). Gas is injected to create pressure differentials and enhance fluid movement through the formation, adding a new dimension to the injection process that overcomes the limitations of liquid-only injection in impermeable formations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If in situ heat treatment processes are used to increase permeability, then hydrocarbon production is improved, but clogging compounds are generated that reduce injection capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepermeability enhancementVSAvoidclogging compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Chemical additives are introduced into the injection fluid before injection begins. These additives perform preliminary action by preventing the formation of clogging compounds during the heat treatment process, rather than attempting to remove them after they have formed. This maintains injection capacity while still achieving permeability enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of heat treatment (which can create clogging compounds) into a beneficial process by using the heat to vaporize water and create pressure differentials that enhance injection efficiency. The clogging compounds are managed through chemical additives that prevent their formation, turning a harmful side effect into an acceptable trade-off for improved permeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If conventional production methods are used, then operating costs are lower, but hydrocarbon recovery from impermeable formations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon production volumeVSAvoidoperating cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key operating parameters including injection pressure, temperature, and fluid composition to optimize hydrocarbon recovery from impermeable formations. By adjusting these parameters and using chemical additives, the process achieves higher production volumes while managing operating costs through improved efficiency rather than simply increasing energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the economic production of hydrocarbons and hydrogen by improving permeability and processing techniques, thereby reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery from previously challenging formations.

Implementation Method 1

heating subsurface formations to increase permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

hydrotreating at least a portion of the liquid stream at conditions sufficient to remove the selected in situ heat treatment clogging compositions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrotreating: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentUS7591310B2Methods of hydrotreating a liquid stream to remove clogging compounds

Publication Date: 2009.09.22 SHELL OIL CO

AI summary

A method includes producing formation fluid from a subsurface in situ heat treatment process. The formation fluid is separated to produce a liquid stream and a gas stream. At least a portion of the liquid stream is provided to a hydrotreating unit. At least a portion of selected in situ heat treatment clogging compositions in the liquid stream are removed to produce a hydrotreated liquid stream by hydrotreating at least a portion of the liquid stream at conditions sufficient to remove the selected in situ heat treatment clogging compositions.