Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters for processes including enhanced oil recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generation systems for thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) are inefficient due to the combination of solar and fuel-fired boilers, which results in wasted energy and redundant capacity, necessitating a high-efficiency solar steam generation system that can provide a constant flow of steam despite intermittent solar radiation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising solar collectors and heaters, controlled by a programmable logic controller, that adjusts energy contributions from both components to maintain a constant steam flow and quality, utilizing exhaust gas recirculation and operational modes to optimize energy use and reduce fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar steam generators are used to reduce fuel use and operations costs, then energy efficiency is improved, but steam production becomes intermittent due to day/night patterns of solar radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using fuel-fired boilers to maintain steam generation during nighttime and low-radiation periods, ensuring continuous steam supply before solar radiation becomes insufficient. This pre-positioning of fuel-based capacity allows the system to transition smoothly between energy sources without interruption to steam production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges solar steam generators and fuel-fired boilers into a single integrated steam generation system. The controller coordinates both sources to work together, with solar providing primary energy during daytime and fuel providing supplemental capacity during nighttime and low-radiation periods, achieving both fuel reduction and continuous operation.
2Reliability
If fuel-fired boilers are combined with solar steam generators to ensure continuous steam, then steam production reliability is improved, but system efficiency decreases due to additional components and energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the contribution of each steam generator variable rather than fixed. The controller continuously adjusts the operational parameters of both solar and fuel-fired boilers based on real-time solar radiation levels and steam demand, optimizing the mix of energy sources to minimize fuel consumption while ensuring continuous steam supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by varying the operational state of each boiler type according to environmental conditions. When solar radiation is abundant, the solar generators operate at high capacity and fuel boilers are reduced or shut down. When radiation decreases, the controller increases fuel boiler output. This dynamic parameter adjustment minimizes energy waste from operating both systems at full capacity simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If steam generating equipment is shut down and restarted daily to match solar availability, then fuel consumption is reduced, but equipment maintenance increases due to thermal cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping both solar and fuel-fired boilers operating continuously rather than shutting down and restarting daily. The fuel-fired boilers provide a stable baseline operation that avoids thermal cycling, while solar generators provide supplemental capacity during daytime. This continuous operation of at least the fuel boilers eliminates the thermal stress associated with daily shutdowns and restarts.
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 system enhances the efficiency and reduces costs by optimizing energy use, maintaining a consistent steam supply, and minimizing fuel consumption, while reducing equipment maintenance and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
solar collectors and heaters, controlled by a programmable logic controller, that adjusts energy contributions from both components to maintain a constant steam flow
Implementation Method 2
systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters
Implementation Method 3
fuel-fired boilers, having a once-through configuration or a recirculating configuration
Implementation Method 4
utilizing exhaust gas recirculation and operational modes to optimize energy use and reduce fuel consumption
Implementation Method 5
adjusts energy contributions from both components to maintain a constant steam flow and quality
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.