Solar Blackbody Waveguide for In-Situ Heating of Heavy Oil Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting oil from oil shale, oil sand, and asphaltic crude oil formations are economically limited due to high energy costs and environmental impacts, with traditional retorting and in-situ heating techniques requiring significant fossil fuel consumption and water usage, and lacking efficiency in converting kerogen into usable oil.
Innovation Solution
Employing solar blackbody waveguide technology to concentrate solar flux and directly heat geological strata, using parabolic mirrors and a reflective sleeve to convert solar energy into heat energy for in-situ heating of oil-bearing formations, reducing the need for fossil fuels and lowering operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional retorting techniques are used to extract kerogen from oil shale, then kerogen can be converted into petroleum-like liquid, but the mining and heating costs are high and the process has significant environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mining and surface retorting systems with an in-situ heating system that uses vertical wells to deliver heat directly to the kerogen-bearing formation. This substitution eliminates the need for surface mining, crushing, and transport operations, thereby reducing both environmental impact and operational costs while maintaining kerogen conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance circulated through coiled tubing in the wellbore. This fluid acts as a mediator to transfer thermal energy from the surface heating system to the kerogen formation, enabling efficient in-situ heating without direct contact between surface equipment and the formation, thus reducing environmental disturbance.
2Productivity
If in-situ heating techniques are used to heat oil-bearing formations, then oil production can be enhanced, but a large amount of electrical energy or gas is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from conventional electrical or gas heating to solar thermal energy. By utilizing solar collectors to generate thermal energy and circulating heat transfer fluid through the formation, the system achieves in-situ heating with reduced operational energy costs, particularly during daytime operations when solar energy is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a passive solar heating approach where the system utilizes naturally available solar energy to heat the oil-bearing formation. The heat transfer fluid circulation system is designed to maximize utilization of solar thermal energy, reducing the need for additional energy inputs and allowing the system to serve itself during daytime hours.
3Productivity
If steam flood techniques are used for in-situ heating of oil sand deposits, then bitumen can be heated to improve flow characteristics, but the cost of energy to create steam and the need for large quantities of water limits economic viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the steam generation and injection system with a direct solar thermal heating system. Instead of converting water to steam and injecting it into the formation, the system circulates heat transfer fluid through coiled tubing heated by solar collectors, directly transferring thermal energy to the bitumen. This substitution eliminates the need for large quantities of water and reduces energy consumption associated with steam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism parameter from steam-based thermal convection to direct solar thermal conduction through heat transfer fluid. This parameter change eliminates the phase change requirements of steam generation and reduces both water consumption and energy input requirements while achieving the same bitumen heating objective.
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 method enhances oil production by efficiently converting solar energy into heat, reducing energy costs and environmental impact, while maintaining high oil quality and allowing for cost-effective extraction of high viscosity crude oils without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
concentrated energy in the form of solar flux to provide the energy to heat these formations in situ
Implementation Method 2
employing solar blackbody waveguide technology to concentrate solar flux and directly heat geological strata
Implementation Method 3
solar blackbody waveguide technology to concentrate solar flux and directly heat geological strata, using parabolic mirrors and a reflective sleeve to convert solar energy into heat energy
Implementation Method 4
The concentrated solar energy gathered by the parabolic mirrors is directed via double 90° prisms into a vertical shaft of a well drilled through the overburden soils and into the ore-bearing or oil-bearing formation
Implementation Method 5
This heat is transferred by conduction from the coil into the ore or oil-bearing formation, thereby gradually heating the strata of the formation
Data Source
AI summary
A method to enhance oil shale, oil sand, asphaltic crude oil, or other high viscosity crude oil production by using a solar blackbody waveguide to heat these formations in situ. A parabolic mirror collects and directs the solar flux into a vertical shaft of a well drilled into the formation. This vertical shaft is lined with a reflective sleeve that reflects nearly all of the sunlight down into the well bore. The reflective sleeve ends at the top of the formation so that below this point, the solar flux is permitted to make successive reflections with the interior of the metal well casing or solar blackbody waveguide coil. The coil absorbs the solar flux, converting it to heat. Heat from the coil is transferred by conduction into the formation and allowing the formation to be produced by traditional methods.