Steam profile liquid/vapor separator

Claim 2

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles having a length approximately 1.6 times greater than the radius of the well, disposed within the well, and formed of a wire filament material having a spring action and being wettable by the liquid flowing therepast, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting a series of rows of said bristles in a predetermined pattern within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, said bristle supporting means including: (i) means supporting said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow and to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles accordingly, such that: (a) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well, and (b) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles inwardly toward the center of the well, (ii) a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating substantially uniformly outwardly around said central core and curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, and (iii) clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core.

Claim 3

Apparatus for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process for determining the quality of steam being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a housing movable longitudinally within the well, (b) measurement means supported on said housing for intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past said housing in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, (c) a plurality of bristles, and (d) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles on said housing within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 4

Apparatus for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process for determining the quality of steam being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a housing movable longitudinally within the well, (b) measurement means supported on said housing for intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past said housing in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, (c) a plurality of bristles, and (d) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles on said housing within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising centralizer means attached to said housing for centering said housing in the well.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well to direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well to direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles inwardly toward the center of the well.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bristles comprise bristles formed of a material wettable by the liquid flowing therepast.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bristles further comprise wire filaments.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bristle supporting means further comprises a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bristle supporting means further comprises clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bristle supporting means further comprises means supporting said bristles in a predetermined pattern in which said bristles radiate radially outwardly from said central core substantially uniformly therearound.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bristle supporting means further comprises means supporting said bristles in the well such that substantially each said bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein substantially all of said bristles each have a length greater than the radius of the well.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bristle supporting means supports said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles in the opposite radial direction.

Claim 16

Apparatus for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process for determining the quality of steam being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a housing movable longitudinally within the well, (b) measurement means supported on said housing for intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past said housing in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, (c) a plurality of bristles having a length approximately 1.6 times greater than the radius of the well and formed of a wire filament material having a spring action and being wettable by the liquid flowing therepast, and (d) bristle supporting means supporting a series of rows of said bristles in a predetermined pattern on said housing within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, said bristle supporting means including: (i) means supporting said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow and to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles accordingly, such that: (a) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well, and (b) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles inwardly toward the center of the well, (ii) a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating substantially uniformly outwardly around said central core and curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, and (iii) clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core.

Claim 17

Apparatus for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process for determining the quality of steam being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a housing movable longitudinally within the well, (b) measurement means supported on said housing for intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past said housing in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, (c) a plurality of bristles having a length approximately 1.6 times greater than the radius of the well and formed of a wire filament material having a spring action and being wettable by the liquid flowing therepast, and (d) bristle supporting means supporting a series of rows of said bristles in a predetermined pattern on said housing within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, said bristle supporting means including: (i) means supporting said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow and to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles accordingly, such that: (a) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well, and (b) when said bristle supporting means supports said bristles angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well said bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with said bristles inwardly toward the center of the well, (ii) a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating substantially uniformly outwardly around said central core and curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, and (iii) clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core.

Claim 18

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of wire filament bristles, formed of a material wettable by the liquid flowing therepast, within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, said holding step including the steps of: (i) supporting bristles substantially all of which have a length greater than the radius of the well, and (ii) clamping the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating radially outwardly from the central core substantially uniformly therearound, and such that substantially each bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, (c) supporting the bristles for changing the angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of the direction in which the bristles cause the liquid which contacts the bristles to flow to cause the bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along the bristles accordingly, such that: (i) when the bristles are angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well the bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with the bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well, and (ii) when the bristles are angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well the bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with the bristles inwardly toward the center of the well, (d) centering the bristles in the well, (e) intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past the bristles in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, and (f) controlling whether the liquid or vapor phase enters a particular predetermined zone in the well by placing the liquid on the wall of the well when the liquid phase is to enter the zone and removing the liquid phase from the wall when the vapor phase is to enter the zone.

Claim 19

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of wire filament bristles, formed of a material wettable by the liquid flowing therepast, within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, said holding step including the steps of: (i) supporting bristles substantially all of which have a length greater than the radius of the well, and (ii) clamping the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating radially outwardly from the central core substantially uniformly therearound, and such that substantially each bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, (c) supporting the bristles for changing the angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of the direction in which the bristles cause the liquid which contacts the bristles to flow to cause the bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along the bristles accordingly, such that: (i) when the bristles are angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well the bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with the bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well, and (ii) when the bristles are angled radially inwardly in a downward direction substantially toward the center of the well the bristles will direct the liquid which comes in contact with the bristles inwardly toward the center of the well, (d) centering the bristles in the well, (e) intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past the bristles in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof, and (f) controlling whether the liquid or vapor phase enters a particular predetermined zone in the well by placing the liquid on the wall of the well when the liquid phase is to enter the zone and removing the liquid phase from the wall when the vapor phase is to enter the zone.

Claim 20

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well.

Claim 21

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well.

Claim 22

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, said bristle supporting means including a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom, and clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core, to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 23

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, said bristle supporting means including a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom, and clamp means for clamping said bristles to said central core, to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 24

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, said bristle supporting means including a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom, and means supporting said bristles in the well such that substantially each said bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 25

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, said bristle supporting means including a central core around which said bristles are attached in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom, and means supporting said bristles in the well such that substantially each said bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein substantially all of said bristles each have a length greater than the radius of the well.

Claim 27

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) said bristle supporting means supporting said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles in the opposite radial direction.

Claim 28

A liquid/vapor separator for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, (b) bristle supporting means supporting said bristles within the well at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well and in substantial contact with the wall thereof to hold said bristles in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of said bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and to cause said bristles to direct liquid which consequently contacts said bristles to migrate along said bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) said bristle supporting means supporting said bristles for changing said angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of said direction in which said bristles cause the liquid which contacts said bristles to flow to cause said bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along said bristles in the opposite radial direction.

Claim 29

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well.

Claim 30

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, angled radially outwardly in a downward direction toward the wall of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles outwardly toward the wall of the well.

Claim 31

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, by clamping the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 32

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, by clamping the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 33

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, by attaching the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom and supporting the bristles in the well such that substantially each bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, the bristles being held at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 34

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, by attaching the bristles to a central core in a predetermined pattern radiating outwardly therefrom and supporting the bristles in the well such that substantially each bristle is curved to a position substantially tangent to and touching the wall of the well, the bristles being held at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, and (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well.

Claim 35

The method of claim 23 further comprising supporting bristles wherein substantially all of the bristles each have a length greater than the well.

Claim 36

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) supporting the bristles for changing the angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of the direction in which the bristles cause the liquid which contacts the bristles to flow to cause the bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along the bristles in the opposite radial direction.

Claim 37

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) supporting the bristles for changing the angles thereof with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well to change the radial component of the direction in which the bristles cause the liquid which contacts the bristles to flow to cause the bristles to direct liquid in contact therewith along the bristles in the opposite radial direction.

Claim 38

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past the bristles in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof.

Claim 39

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydrocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) intercepting at least a portion of the steam fluid flowing past the bristles in the well and measuring the liquid/vapor profile thereof.

Claim 40

The method of claim 26 further comprising measuring substantially vapor flow only.

Claim 41

The method of claim 26 further comprising measuring substantially liquid flow only.

Claim 42

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) controlling whether the liquid or vapor phase enters a particular predetermined zone in the well by placing the liquid on the wall of the well when the liquid phase is to enter the zone and removing the liquid phase from the wall when the vapor phase is to enter the zone.

Claim 43

A liquid/vapor separation method for downhole use with a steam thermal recovery process wherein steam is being injected downwardly through a well into a hydocarbon bearing formation surrounding the well, comprising: (a) holding a plurality of bristles disposed within the well, and in substantial contact with the wall thereof, at angles with respect to the longitudinal and radial directions of the well in a network extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the well at the location of the bristles, to form a tortuous path for liquid and vapor flowing downwardly therepast, (b) by means of the bristles, directing liquid which contacts the bristles to migrate along the bristles in the direction thereof most nearly like the net flow direction of the vapor in the well, and (c) controlling whether the liquid or vapor phase enters a particular predetermined zone in the well by placing the liquid on the wall of the well when the liquid phase is to enter the zone and removing the liquid phase from the wall when the vapor phase is to enter the zone.