Apparatus for recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
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 4424858
- OSTI ID:
- 6523449
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Sep 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-424691
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
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BRINES
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