Combustion Chamber Vortex Evaporator for Scaling Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing produced water in the oil and gas industry, such as evaporation ponds and misting towers, are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to high costs, infrastructure requirements, and scaling issues that reduce efficiency and create maintenance problems.
Innovation Solution
A water evaporator system featuring a vertical combustion chamber with a heat source and angled apertures that create a spiraling vortex effect, allowing for efficient flash evaporation and reduced scaling by directing heat downward through a tubular member, minimizing precipitation on the interior surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal elements are introduced into smaller volumes of water to speed evaporation, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but scaling is created on heating elements which reduces efficiency and creates maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional evaporation approach by directing the flame upward from the bottom of the combustion chamber rather than placing heating elements directly in the water. This inversion prevents contact between the flame and water, eliminating scaling on heating elements while maintaining evaporation efficiency through thermal radiation and convection.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber is segmented into distinct zones: a lower combustion zone with the flame source, a middle evaporation zone where water is heated, and an upper exhaust zone. This segmentation allows the flame to heat water indirectly through the chamber walls and hot gases, preventing direct contact and scaling while maintaining efficient heat transfer.
2Quantity of substance
If large-scale on-site storage and disposal infrastructure is built, then disposal capacity is improved, but investment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of water disposal by using high-temperature combustion to rapidly evaporate water, transforming the disposal process from a slow, large-scale storage operation to a rapid, compact evaporation system. This parameter change allows small-scale units to achieve significant disposal capacity without requiring large infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the produced water itself as the fuel source for combustion, eliminating the need for external fuel supplies and reducing infrastructure requirements. The water is injected into the combustion chamber where it vaporizes and provides both the evaporative demand and the combustion medium, creating a self-sufficient disposal system.
3Ease of manufacture
If evaporation ponds are used for produced water disposal, then disposal method is simple and low-cost, but large surface-area disturbance is created and wildlife impact occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface evaporation ponds to a three-dimensional combustion chamber system. Water is injected into the combustion chamber where it evaporates in a controlled vertical space, eliminating the need for large surface areas and preventing wildlife habitat disruption while maintaining evaporation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber creates a controlled, contained environment for water evaporation, replacing open evaporation ponds that expose water to the atmosphere and surrounding ecosystem. The enclosed chamber prevents environmental contamination and wildlife impact while efficiently evaporating water through controlled combustion.
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 achieves efficient and environmentally safe water evaporation with reduced scaling, enabling compact and cost-effective on-site disposal of produced water, while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
directing heat downward through the hollow elongate member of the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
heat downward through the hollow elongate member... as the fluids descend down the tubular member
Implementation Method 3
the aperture is disposed within the elongate tubular member at an angle ranging from approximately 40 to 89 degrees with respect to the diametric axis... fluids are directed about the interior of the tubular member in a spiraling manner forming a hollow center
Implementation Method 4
flash evaporated
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for reducing the volume of waste water through evaporation including a tank with a combustion pipe and burner unit, wherein water is injected into the combustion pipe, flash evaporated, and gases are projected into the tank to drive evaporative and water treatment functions.