Downhole steam generator with improved preheating, combustion and protection features

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864562

Fox, Ronald L ^[1]

---

1. Albuquerque, NM

An apparatus for generation of steam in a borehole for penetration into an earth formation wherein feedback preheater means are provided for the fuel and water before entering the combustor assembly. First, combustion gases are conducted from the combustion chamber to locations in proximity to the water and fuel supplies. Secondly, both hot combustion gases and steam are conducted from the borehole back to the water and fuel supply. The water used for conversion to steam is passed in a countercurrent manner through a plurality of annular water flow channels surrounding the combustion chamber. In this manner, the water is preheated, and the combustion chamber is cooled simultaneously, thereby minimizing thermal stresses and deterioration of the walls of the combustion chamber. The water is injected through slotted inlets along the combustion chamber wall to provide an unstable boundary layer and stripping of the water from the wall for efficient steam generation. Pressure responsive doors are provided at the steam outlet of the combustor assembly. The outlet doors and fluid flow functions may be controlled by a diagnostic/control module. The module is positioned in the water flow channel to maintain a relatively constant, controlled temperature.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(29-1)-789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4385661
• OSTI ID: 864562
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

downhole
steam
generator
improved
preheating
combustion
protection
features
apparatus
generation
borehole
penetration
earth
formation
feedback
preheater
means
provided
fuel
water
entering
combustor
assembly
gases
conducted
chamber
locations
proximity
supplies
secondly
hot
supply
conversion
passed
countercurrent
manner
plurality
annular
flow
channels
surrounding
preheated
cooled
simultaneously
minimizing
thermal
stresses
deterioration
walls
injected
slotted
inlets
wall
provide
unstable
boundary
layer
stripping
efficient
pressure
responsive
doors
outlet
fluid
functions
controlled
diagnostic
control
module
positioned
channel
maintain
relatively
constant
temperature
steam generation
water flow
fuel supply
hot combustion
controlled temperature
relatively constant
combustor assembly
thermal stress
earth formation
flow channels
flow channel
steam generator
combustion chamber
fluid flow
combustion gases
combustion gas
chamber wall
boundary layer
thermal stresses
downhole steam
control module
minimizing thermal
responsive doors
steam outlet
pressure responsive
heater means
improved preheating
feedback preheater
preheater means
/166/431/