Apparatus for recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
- Los Alamos, NM
- Santa Fe, NM
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.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4424858
- OSTI ID:
- 864829
- 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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recovering
gaseous
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hydrocarbon-containing
solid
hydrates
method
provided
producing
formations
comprising
hydrocarbon
located
land
water
vast
natural
resources
economically
mined
relatively
warm
brine
brought
elevation
portion
passes
contact
melting
liquid
continues
carrying
entrained
vapors
form
bubbles
easily
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startup
procedure
process
substantially
self-powered
gaseous hydrocarbons
gaseous hydrocarbon
relatively warm
containing solid
solid hydrates
substantially self-powered
solid hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon hydrates
comprising solid
producing gaseous
hydrocarbon vapor
hydrocarbon-containing solid
formations comprising
hydrates located
carbon vapor
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