Variable Rate Steam Injection for Solar EOR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) systems face inefficiencies in steam distribution and injection, particularly in using solar power, as they struggle to maintain consistent steam injection rates and maximize the use of solar-generated steam, leading to suboptimal oil production and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a variable rate steam injection system that automatically adjusts steam flow based on real-time and predicted changes in solar energy availability, using a network of sensors and controllers to optimize steam distribution across multiple wells, ensuring uniform heating and maximizing the use of solar-generated steam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If solar steam generators are used to reduce costs and emissions, then environmental benefits and operational costs improve, but steam injection rate consistency deteriorates due to time-varying solar energy availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts steam injection rates to match time-varying solar energy availability. Solar steam generators operate at variable rates throughout the day, with higher injection during peak solar hours and reduced injection during low-solar periods, optimizing the use of renewable energy while adapting to its intermittent nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic cycling between solar and fuel-fired steam generation. During daylight hours with adequate solar irradiance, solar generators provide steam; during nighttime or low-solar conditions, fuel-fired generators supplement or replace solar steam, creating a periodic operational pattern that maximizes solar utilization while maintaining continuous operation.
2Productivity
If solar steam generators operate at variable rates, then solar energy utilization improves, but maintaining constant injection rates becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by varying steam injection rates according to solar availability. Injection rates are adjusted based on real-time solar irradiance measurements, with higher rates during peak solar production and lower rates during transitional or nighttime periods, optimizing solar energy capture while adapting to its variable nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by combining two steam generation sources (solar and fuel-fired) to bridge the gap between variable solar output and steady injection requirements. The fuel-fired generators act as a supplemental source that activates during low-solar periods, smoothing out the variability inherent in solar-only operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fuel-fired steam generators are used to maintain constant injection rates, then injection consistency improves, but operational costs and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic cycling between solar and fuel-fired steam generation. During daylight hours with adequate solar irradiance, solar generators provide steam; during nighttime or low-solar conditions, fuel-fired generators supplement or replace solar steam, creating a periodic operational pattern that maximizes solar utilization while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying steam injection rates according to solar availability. Injection rates are adjusted based on real-time solar irradiance measurements, with higher rates during peak solar production and lower rates during transitional or nighttime periods, optimizing solar energy capture while adapting to its variable nature.
4Stress or pressure
If steam is distributed uniformly across multiple wells, then pressure drop effects are reduced, but the ability to maximize solar steam usage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts steam distribution patterns to match solar availability and field conditions. Rather than maintaining static uniform distribution, the system varies injection rates across different wells and time periods, allocating more solar steam to wells with higher productivity potential during peak solar hours while reducing injection during low-solar periods.
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 enhances oil production efficiency, increases the fraction of heat generated by solar energy, reduces costs, and improves the uniformity of oil field heating, thereby optimizing the use of solar steam in EOR operations.
Implementation Method 1
solar-powered steam generators can significantly reduce costs, emissions, and fuel use
Implementation Method 2
solar energy has been transferred through an intermediate heat transfer fluid and/or heat storage device
Implementation Method 3
after the solar energy has been transferred through an intermediate heat transfer fluid and/or heat storage device
Implementation Method 4
Thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a class of techniques well-known to those skilled in the art for increasing the oil production rate
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for variable rate steam injection, including via solar power for enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed. Several embodiments include using the variable nature of solar-generated steam to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery processes. In particular embodiments, the variable rate injection can provide more uniform steam distribution in an oil-bearing formation, at a lower cost than if the same amount of steam were provided on a continuous basis.