Downhole steam generator with improved preheating/cooling features. [Patent application]

Patent · Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6432989

Donaldson, A B; Hoke, D E; Mulac, A J

An apparatus is described for downhole steam generation employing dual-stage preheaters for liquid fuel and for the water. A first heat exchange jacket for the fuel surrounds the fuel/oxidant mixing section of the combustor assembly downstream of the fuel nozzle and contacts the top of the combustor unit of the combustor assembly, thereby receiving heat directly from the combustion of the fuel/oxidant. A second stage heat exchange jacket surrounds an upper portion of the oxidant supply line adjacent the fuel nozzle receiving further heat from the compression heat which results from pressurization of the oxidant. The combustor unit includes an inner combustor sleeve whose inner wall defines the combustion zone. The inner combustor sleeve is surrounded by two concentric water channels, one defined by the space between the inner combustor sleeve and an intermediate sleeve, and the second defined by the space between the intermediate sleeve and an outer cylindrical housing. The channels are connected by an annular passage adjacent the top of the combustor assembly and the countercurrent nature of the water flow provides efficient cooling of the inner combustor sleeve. An annular water ejector with a plurality of nozzles is provided to direct water downwardly into the combustor unit at the boundary of the combustion zone and along the lower section of the intermediate sleeve.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• OSTI ID: 6432989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
42 ENGINEERING
OIL WELLS
STEAM INJECTION
STEAM GENERATORS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
COMBUSTORS
LIQUID FUELS
NOZZLES
BOILERS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FUELS
RECOVERY
THERMAL RECOVERY
VAPOR GENERATORS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
420206 - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)