Downhole steam generator using low pressure fuel and air supply

Patent · Tue Jun 28 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5856812

Fox, R L

An apparatus is claimed for generation of steam in a borehole for penetration into an earth formation wherein a spiral, tubular heat exchanger is used in the combustion chamber to isolate the combustion process from the water being superheated for conversion into steam. The isolation allows combustion of a relatively low pressure oxidant and fuel mixture for generating high enthalpy steam. The fuel is preheated by feedback of combustion gases from the top of the combustion chamber through a fuel preheater chamber. The hot exhaust gases of combustion at the bottom of the combustion chamber, after flowing over the heat exchanger enter an exhaust passage and pipe. The exhaust pipe is mounted inside the water supply line heating the water flowing into the heat exchanger. After being superheated in the heat exchanger, the water is ejected through an expansion nozzle and converts into steam prior to penetration into the earth formation. Pressure responsive doors are provided at a steam outlet downstream of the nozzle and close when the steam pressure is lost due to flameout.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4390062
• OSTI ID: 5856812
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BOILERS
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
VAPOR GENERATORS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS