Direct Steam Generator CO2 Separation for Hydrocarbon Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct steam generators produce steam with a narrow range of carbon dioxide concentrations, which can be either ineffective or adverse in hydrocarbon recovery processes, and lack cost efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves vaporizing water with combustion products to produce steam and carbon dioxide, followed by cooling, separation of carbon dioxide from water condensate, and regeneration of steam by reducing pressure and heating in a heat exchanger to remove carbon dioxide before injection into a hydrocarbon formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct steam generator produces steam by contacting water with combustion products, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but carbon dioxide concentration becomes excessive and adverse to hydrocarbon recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes carbon dioxide from the combustion products before contacting with water in the direct steam generator. A separation unit is introduced between the combustion chamber and steam generator to remove excess CO2, allowing the system to maintain high steam generation efficiency while producing steam with controlled, lower carbon dioxide concentration suitable for hydrocarbon recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of carbon dioxide in the combustion products by introducing a control mechanism that adjusts the amount of CO2 present in the steam generation process. This allows optimization of the carbon dioxide concentration to achieve desired steam properties without excessive CO2 that would be adverse to hydrocarbon recovery.
2Ease of manufacture
If direct steam generator is used to produce steam with combustion products, then cost efficiency is improved, but control over carbon dioxide concentration becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to the direct steam generator system, allowing the carbon dioxide concentration to be adjusted based on recovery needs. A control unit receives signals about desired steam properties and adjusts combustion parameters or separation efficiency dynamically, providing versatility while maintaining the cost efficiency of the direct steam generation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors the carbon dioxide concentration in the produced steam and adjusts combustion or separation parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise control over CO2 concentration levels, allowing the system to adapt to different hydrocarbon recovery requirements while maintaining cost efficiency through automated optimization.
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
Enables the generation of steam with desired carbon dioxide concentrations, enhancing hydrocarbon recovery while reducing costs by removing excess carbon dioxide, thus improving the efficiency of the steam injection process.
Implementation Method 1
vaporizing water by direct contact of the water with combustion products to produce a resulting fluid including the steam and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
cooling the fluid to provide a mixture of the carbon dioxide and water condensate
Implementation Method 3
regenerating the steam by reducing pressure and then heating the condensate in a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
heating the condensate in a heat exchanger for thermal transfer with the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods generate steam mixed with desired non-condensable gas concentrations using a direct steam generator. Injecting the steam into a reservoir may facilitate recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir. Cooling an output of the direct steam generator produces water condensate, which is then separated from the non-condensable gas, such as carbon dioxide. Reducing pressure of the condensate subsequently heated by cross-exchange with effluent of the direct steam generator regenerates the steam with the carbon dioxide removed for the injection.