US3833059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot gas apparatus for recovery of oil values
Assignee: Motco Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-12
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A hot gas process and apparatus for extraction of highly viscous oil from subterranean deposits which employs a rocket engine for generating hot gases which are conveyed into the interior of the oil well to heat the oil deposits. The rocket engine is supplied with compressed air and fuel through a control unit to regulate the pressure of the exhaust gases exiting from the engine. A back-pressure control valve and an orifice metering valve are connected in the exhaust conduit between the engine and oil well to control the pressure and flow of the exhaust gases into the well. A plurality of automatically controlled heat exchangers and cooling units are connected with the back-pressure control valves exhaust gas conduit, and orifice metering valve to maintain the exhaust gas temperature and back pressure at desired predetermined levels for high temperature operation, resulting in highly efficient operation and a low fuel consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 P Sisson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:35
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for the recovery of highly viscous oil values from oil deposits comprising, a constant combustion rocket engine for generating high temperature exhaust gases, conduit means for conveying hot exhaust gases generated by said engine to an oil deposit, pressure and flow control valve means operatively connected in said conduit means, cooling means operatively connected with said constant combustion rocket engine, said pressure and flow control valves means, and said conduit means, automatic control means operatively connected with said cooling means and said pressure and flow control valve means to automatically control the pressure build-up and temperatures of the hot exhaust gases generated by said constant combustion rocket engine for delivery to a highly viscous oil deposit for reducing the viscosity of the oil in said oil deposit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for the recovery of highly viscous oil values from oil deposits comprising, a constant combustion rocket engine for generating high temperature exhaust gases, conduit means for conveying hot exhaust gases generated by said engine to an oil deposit, pressure and flow control valve means operatively connected in said conduit means, cooling means operatively connected with said constant combustion rocket engine, said pressure and flow control valves means, and said conduit means, automatic control means operatively connected with said cooling means and said pressure and flow control valve means to automatically control the pressure build-up and temperatures of the hot exhaust gases generated by said constant combustion rocket engine for delivery to a highly viscous oil deposit for reducing the viscosity of the oil in said oil deposit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressure and flow control valve means comprises an automatically controlled pressure control valve connected in said conduit means for controlling the passage of high temperature exhaust gases therethrough to regulate the pressure build-up in said rocket engine, and an orifice flow sensing and control connected in said conduit between said pressure control valve and an oil well being supplied with high temperature exhaust gases to sense and regulate the flow of exhaust gases to an oil deposit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cooling means further comprises a first cooling system connected with said rocket engine and said pressure and flow control valve means for regulating the temperature thereof, and a second cooling system connected with said high temperature exhaust conduit means, said pressure and flow control valVe means and said automatic control means for regulating the temperatures thereof separately and independently from said first cooling system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second cooling system includes a plurality of heat exchangers connected with said exhaust gas conduit means, the inlet of said heat exchangers communicating with said exhaust gas conduit means between said rocket engine and said pressure and flow control valve means, the outlet of said heat exchangers being connected with said exhaust gas conduit means downstream of said pressure and flow control valve means, whereby a portion of the high temperature exhaust gases generated by said rocket engine is bypassed around said pressure and flow control valve means through said heat exchangers to regulate the temperature of the exhaust gases being supplied to an oil deposit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a trailer chassis having ground engaging means attached thereto to allow movement of said chassis across a surface, said rocket engine, conduit means, pressure and flow control valve means, and automatic control means being permanently mounted on said trailer chassis to permit mobile transportation of said apparatus to a selective oil well site, said trailer chassis having an air and fuel supply source for said rocket engine mounted thereon, said fuel and air supply source being operatively connected with said rocket engine, wherein said apparatus forms a self-contained mobile unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said constant combustion rocket engine comprises a generally cylindrical shape combustion chamber, a cooling jacket sealingly positioned around the exterior of said combustion chamber in a spaced relationship therewith to form a sealed cavity surrounding said combustion chamber, a fuel-air mixture injection means opening into one end of said combustion chamber, said fuel-air mixture injection means having a cooling jacket positioned therearound to form a sealed cavity around said fuel-air mixture injection means, said cavities formed within said cooling jackets being communicated with said cooling means to control the temperature of said rocket engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising coolant distribution means positioned within said cavities surrounding said combustion chamber and said fuel-air mixture injection means to obtain an even distribution of coolant within said chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said fuel-air mixture injection means comprises a first tubular conduit having one end opening into said combustion chamber, a cup-shaped hollow member attached to the other end of said first tubular conduit, a second tubular conduit extending through said cooling jacket and having a second cup-shaped hollow member attached to the end thereof, said first and second cup-shaped members being sealingly connected to form a chamber therewithin, each of said cup-shaped members having a baffle positioned transversely within the chamber formed therein, each of said baffles having a plurality of openings therethrough, and a fuel atomizing nozzle extending into said second tubular conduit for injecting atomized fuel into said conduit for mixing with air therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |