Plasma Thermal Fluid Generator for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal fluid generators for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) are inefficient and require significant fuel, making them costly and environmentally impactful, as they rely on combustion mechanisms to heat fluids for injection into subterranean reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A plasma energy heat source is used to generate steam and combine it with nitrogen, which is then injected into subterranean rock to thermally stimulate oil production, increasing fluid pressure and improving viscosity characteristics, thereby driving residual oil to extraction wells, while eliminating the need for fuel and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional combustion mechanisms are used to heat fluids for EOR, then sufficient heating capacity is achieved, but fuel consumption increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional combustion-based thermal systems with an electrically-driven plasma generation system. Electrical energy is used to create plasma that directly heats the fluid, eliminating the need for fuel combustion while achieving the required heating temperatures for enhanced oil recovery operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy input parameter from chemical energy (fuel combustion) to electrical energy (plasma generation). This parameter change allows for more efficient energy conversion and direct heating of the injected fluid, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective heating capacity
2Temperature
If conventional combustion mechanisms are used to heat fluids for EOR, then sufficient heating capacity is achieved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces combustion-based thermal systems with electrically-driven plasma generation. This substitution eliminates harmful emissions associated with fuel combustion while achieving the necessary heating temperatures, thereby reducing environmental impact without compromising thermal performance
3Use of energy by moving object
If plasma energy heat source is used to generate steam, then heating efficiency increases and fuel requirements decrease, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements plasma generation using electrical energy to heat fluids for EOR operations. This substitution of combustion with plasma technology achieves superior heating efficiency and eliminates fuel requirements, while the added electrical system complexity is offset by the elimination of fuel storage, handling, and combustion infrastructure
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 plasma energy system achieves higher heating efficiency with less energy input, reduces fuel requirements, and allows for on-site production of nitrogen and water, enhancing oil recovery with reduced environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma energy heat source to convert a stream of liquid into a gaseous state
Implementation Method 2
utilizes at least one plasma energy heat source to convert a stream of liquid into a gaseous state
Implementation Method 3
the combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean rock in order to thermally stimulate oil production
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.