USRE35696E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat injection process
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1995-09-28
•
Granted: 1997-12-23
•
Expires: 2015-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for heat injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant heat source and results in a more even temperature distribution throughout the length of the burner. Flameless combustion is accomplished by preheating the fuel and the combustion air to a temperature above the autoignition temperature of the mixture. Preheating hydrocarbon fuel requires the inclusion of a carbon formation suppressant such as carbon dioxide or steam to prevent carbon formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Mikus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:19
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23C; F23C3/00; F23C3/002; E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/02; F23C3/004; F23C2900/00; F23C2900/99001; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of heating a subterranean formation comprising at least one borehole providing communication from the surface to the subterranean formation to be heated, the method comprising: combining a hydrocarbon fuel gas with a carbon formation suppressant; passing the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture through a fuel gas conduit to a mixing point within the borehole juxtapose to the formation to be heated; passing a combustion air stream though an air conduit to the mixing point; preheating either the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture, the combustion air stream or both such that the temperature of a mixture of the streams exceeds an autoignition temperature of the mixture of the streams; combining the preheated combustion air and fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant at the mixing point resulting in autoignition forming combustion products; passing the combustion products through the borehole from the mixing point to the surface, wherein the amount of the carbon formation suppressant combined with the fuel gas exceeds that which prevents carbon formation at the temperature of the preheated fuel gas and carbon suppressant mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of heating a subterranean formation comprising at least one borehole providing communication from the surface to the subterranean formation to be heated, the method comprising: combining a hydrocarbon fuel gas with a carbon formation suppressant; passing the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture through a fuel gas conduit to a mixing point within the borehole juxtapose to the formation to be heated; passing a combustion air stream though an air conduit to the mixing point; preheating either the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture, the combustion air stream or both such that the temperature of a mixture of the streams exceeds an autoignition temperature of the mixture of the streams; combining the preheated combustion air and fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant at the mixing point resulting in autoignition forming combustion products; passing the combustion products through the borehole from the mixing point to the surface, wherein the amount of the carbon formation suppressant combined with the fuel gas exceeds that which prevents carbon formation at the temperature of the preheated fuel gas and carbon suppressant mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture and the combustion air are both preheated by heat exchange with the combustion products flowing from the mixing point to the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 wherein additional preheated fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant is mixed with the combustion products in the borehole between the mixing point and the surface at points that are juxtapose to the formation to be heated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the fuel gas consists essentially of methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture and the combustion air are both heated to a temperature above about 1000° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the carbon formation suppressant comprises water and the mole ratio of water to carbon in the stream is greater than about 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the carbon formation suppressant comprises carbon dioxide and the mole ratio of carbon dioxide to fuel gas carbon is greater than about 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the carbon formation suppressant comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide and water. .Iadd.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of supplying heat using a flameless combustor, the method comprising: combining a hydrocarbon fuel gas with a carbon formation suppressant; passing the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture through a fuel gas conduit to a mixing point within the flameless combustor; passing a combustion air stream though an air conduit to the mixing point; preheating either the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture, the combustion air stream or both such that the temperature of a mixture of the streams exceeds an autoignition temperature of the mixture of the streams; and combining the preheated combustion air and fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant at the mixing point resulting in autoignition forming combustion products, wherein the amount of the carbon formation suppressant combined with the fuel gas exceeds that which prevents carbon formation at the temperature of the preheated fuel gas and carbon suppressant mixture. .Iaddend.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of supplying heat using a flameless combustor, the method comprising: combining a hydrocarbon fuel gas with a carbon formation suppressant; passing the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture through a fuel gas conduit to a mixing point within the flameless combustor; passing a combustion air stream though an air conduit to the mixing point; preheating either the fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant mixture, the combustion air stream or both such that the temperature of a mixture of the streams exceeds an autoignition temperature of the mixture of the streams; and combining the preheated combustion air and fuel gas and carbon formation suppressant at the mixing point resulting in autoignition forming combustion products, wherein the amount of the carbon formation suppressant combined with the fuel gas exceeds that which prevents carbon formation at the temperature of the preheated fuel gas and carbon suppressant mixture. .Iaddend.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |