Patent US5614804A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4058164A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4058164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating mine water for recovery of immobile hydrocarbons
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-12
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Granted: 1977-11-15
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Expires: 1996-04-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the use of superheated water as a heat carrier to melt or reduce the viscosity of a solid or semi-liquid hydrocarbon located in an underground deposit. Steam is injected in one conduit and water is injected in a second conduit. Steam is condensed and mixed with the injected water in an underground mixing chamber under sufficient pressure to maintain the resultant superheated water in the liquid phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Xerxes T. Stoddard
- 👤 Ruel C. Terry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:37
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of blending steam and water underground to generate superheated water in thermal recovery of minerals that are capable of becoming flowable upon application of heat, comprising the steps of establishing a first injection passage between a surface location and an underground mineral deposit, establishing a second injection passage between a surface location and an underground mineral deposit, affixing a nozzle means positioned at the lowermost portion of the said first injection passage, the said nozzle means being positioned within a venturi means, affixing the said venturi means positioned at the lowermost portion of the said second injection passage, establishing a mixing chamber means in an underground location, said mixing chamber means being in fluid communication with the said first injection passage and the said second injection passage, injecting steam into the said first injection passage, injecting water into the said second injection passage, decreasing the pressure of the steam, condensing the steam into a liquid while mixing the condensed steam with water in the said mixing chamber means, and directing the resultant superheated water from the said mixing chamber means into the mineralized formation underground.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of blending steam and water underground to generate superheated water in thermal recovery of minerals that are capable of becoming flowable upon application of heat, comprising the steps of establishing a first injection passage between a surface location and an underground mineral deposit, establishing a second injection passage between a surface location and an underground mineral deposit, affixing a nozzle means positioned at the lowermost portion of the said first injection passage, the said nozzle means being positioned within a venturi means, affixing the said venturi means positioned at the lowermost portion of the said second injection passage, establishing a mixing chamber means in an underground location, said mixing chamber means being in fluid communication with the said first injection passage and the said second injection passage, injecting steam into the said first injection passage, injecting water into the said second injection passage, decreasing the pressure of the steam, condensing the steam into a liquid while mixing the condensed steam with water in the said mixing chamber means, and directing the resultant superheated water from the said mixing chamber means into the mineralized formation underground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steam temperature exceeds 250° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water temperature is less than 200° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mineral is gilsonite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mineral is the bitumen in tar sands, sandstones and limestones.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mineral is viscous heavy petroleum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3167120A
Cited
US3186484A
Cited
US3396791A
Cited
US3405761A
Cited
US3913671A
Cited
US3881551A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-14 | 1981-05-16 | 1981-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-14 | 1985-05-16 | 1985-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-14 | 1989-05-16 | 1989-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |