Steam Generator Combustion Chamber Impure Water Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generation methods for hydrocarbon extraction require clean water treatment, which is costly and energy-intensive, and use air with high nitrogen content, which can hinder hydrocarbon recovery, while also facing issues with scale buildup and fouling in combustion systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combusts fuel and an oxidant-free of nitrogen with impure water to produce steam, ensuring the heat generated exceeds the saltation velocity of particulate matter, preventing buildup and using the impure water to cool the combustion chamber, and injecting the steam directly into the hydrocarbon reservoir without a heat exchanger, utilizing a separator to remove particulate matter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clean water treatment is used in conventional steam generation, then water quality is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of impurities in water into a beneficial outcome by injecting impure water directly into the combustion stream. The impurities precipitate as particulate matter in the steam stream, which can then be removed by a separator. This approach eliminates the need for costly and energy-intensive water treatment while maintaining effective steam generation for hydrocarbon recovery.
2Power
If air with nitrogen is used as oxidant, then combustion is maintained, but hydrocarbon recovery is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air (which contains nitrogen) with pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched oxidant streams. This eliminates nitrogen from the combustion process, preventing it from interfering with hydrocarbon recovery operations. The combustion process is maintained effectively using the pure oxygen oxidant, while the resulting steam stream is free of nitrogen contamination.
3Ease of manufacture
If impure water is injected into combustion stream, then water treatment cost is reduced, but scale buildup and fouling occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of scale buildup into a benefit by designing a system where impurities in the injected water precipitate as particulate matter suspended in the steam stream rather than depositing on surfaces. The high-velocity combustion stream and subsequent separator remove these particulates, preventing fouling while eliminating water treatment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic flow conditions in the combustion stream to prevent particulate deposition. By maintaining appropriate flow velocities and turbulence, the system keeps precipitated particulate matter suspended in the steam stream, preventing scale buildup on combustion chamber surfaces while allowing impure water to be used.
4Temperature
If steam is conveyed through heat exchanger, then temperature control is achieved, but energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steam generation process from the conventional heat exchanger configuration and integrates it directly into the combustion stream. Steam is produced in-situ within the combustion chamber by injecting impure water into the hot combustion gases, eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers and the associated energy losses.
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 reduces the need for water treatment, maintains high-pressure steam energy, prevents fouling, and enhances hydrocarbon recovery by using impure water efficiently and removing particulate matter, thus improving the operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of steam generation.
Implementation Method 1
combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream
Implementation Method 2
injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream
Implementation Method 3
establishing a velocity of the combustion stream that is greater than a saltation velocity of the particulate matter in the combustion stream
Implementation Method 4
cooling the combustion chamber using a film of the impure water
Implementation Method 5
the separator is selected from the group consists of a cyclone separator, a filter and combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing steam includes combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream, and injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream including particulate matter precipitated from the impure water. A steam generator includes a combustion chamber that has an initial section including an oxidant feed that is substantially free of nitrogen and a fuel feed, and downstream from the initial section at least one liquid water feed.