Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates

Patent · Tue Mar 15 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6470196

Barraclough, B L; Elliott, G R; Vanderborgh, N E

A method and apparatus are provided for producing gaseous hydrocarbons from formations comprising solid hydrocarbon hydrates located under either a body of land or a body of water. The vast natural resources of such hydrocarbon hydrates can thus now be economically mined. Relatively warm brine or water is brought down from an elevation above that of the hydrates through a portion of the apparatus and passes in contact with the hydrates, thus melting them. The liquid then continues up another portion of the apparatus, carrying entrained hydrocarbon vapors in the form of bubbles, which can easily be separated from the liquid. After a short startup procedure, the process and apparatus are substantially self-powered.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4376462
• OSTI ID: 6470196
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 19 Feb 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-235775
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
HYDRATES
MELTING
HYDROCARBONS
RECOVERY
BRINES
GAS HYDRATES
HEATING
METHANE
NATURAL GAS
PRODUCTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
UNDERGROUND MINING
UNDERWATER OPERATIONS
ALKANES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
MINING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing