RF Applicator Turbulent Cooling for Subterranean Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon resource extraction methods, such as Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), face challenges like long production times, significant heat loss, excessive steam consumption, high costs, and environmental impact due to water usage, and are inefficient in permafrost regions or areas with thin payzones. Additionally, coaxial feeds used in RF heating systems suffer from component heating and inadequate cooling, leading to less efficient resource recovery.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a radio frequency (RF) source coupled with a dielectric cooling liquid and concentric tubular conductors to generate a turbulent flow of cooling liquid, enhancing thermal transfer and reducing temperatures within the subterranean formation. This setup includes a dielectric cooling liquid source and heat exchanger, with mineral oil as a potential coolant, to improve heat removal and maintain lower operating temperatures for RF applicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is used for heavy oil extraction, then oil recovery is achieved, but production time is extended and heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal SAGD process with RF electromagnetic heating. The RF applicator delivers electromagnetic energy directly to the heavy oil formation, heating the oil rapidly and enabling faster mobilization and production compared to conventional steam-based thermal methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF heating system operates in controlled periodic cycles, allowing rapid heating phases followed by production phases. This periodic RF energy delivery accelerates the heating process and reduces overall production time compared to continuous steam injection in SAGD.
2Productivity
If SAGD is used for heavy oil extraction, then oil recovery is achieved, but heat loss to surrounding formations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF applicator concentrates electromagnetic energy locally within the target formation zone, creating focused heating zones around the wellbore. This localized RF heating minimizes heat loss to surrounding formations by directing energy precisely where needed, unlike SAGD which disperses heat through steam propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conductive/convective heat transfer from steam with direct electromagnetic (RF) energy coupling to the formation. This substitution eliminates intermediate heat transfer steps and reduces thermal losses to surrounding rock, improving thermal efficiency and reducing energy waste.
3Productivity
If SAGD is used for heavy oil extraction, then oil recovery is achieved, but steam consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes steam injection with RF electromagnetic heating. The RF applicator directly heats the heavy oil in situ without requiring steam generation, injection, and circulation infrastructure, thereby eliminating steam consumption entirely while achieving the same oil mobilization objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF applicator acts as an intermediary that transfers electromagnetic energy directly to the heavy oil formation, replacing the steam as the heating medium. This eliminates the need for water conversion to steam and subsequent steam injection, dramatically reducing substance consumption.
4Power
If coaxial feeds are used in RF heating systems, then RF power is delivered to formation, but component heating occurs and cooling is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coaxial feed structure into multiple concentric cooling channels surrounding the central RF conductor. This segmentation allows separate cooling fluid pathways that efficiently remove heat from the RF components without interfering with power delivery, preventing component overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dielectric cooling liquid as an intermediary substance that flows through cooling channels around the RF applicator. This dielectric fluid acts as a heat transfer medium, absorbing heat from RF components and carrying it away, thereby cooling the components while allowing RF power to be delivered to the formation.
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 apparatus achieves increased heat removal and efficient hydrocarbon resource recovery by maintaining lower temperatures and reducing power loss, thereby enhancing the efficiency of RF heating processes and extending the operational reliability of RF equipment in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency (RF) source, and an RF applicator in the subterranean formation and coupled to the RF source to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources
Implementation Method 2
concentric tubular conductors defining cooling passageways therebetween coupled to the dielectric cooling fluid source
Implementation Method 3
generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors
Implementation Method 4
generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors to thereby enhance thermal transfer
Implementation Method 5
A turbulent flow of the coolant liquid is generated adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors
Data Source
AI summary
A device for processing hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a dielectric cooling liquid source, and an RF applicator in the subterranean formation and coupled to the RF source to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources. The RF applicator may include concentric tubular conductors defining cooling passageways therebetween coupled to the dielectric cooling fluid source. At least one property of the dielectric cooling liquid, a flow rate of the dielectric cooling liquid, and a configuration of the cooling passageways may be operable together to generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors to enhance thermal transfer.