Downhole steam generator using low pressure fuel and air supply
- Albuquerque, NM
An apparatus 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.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(29-1)-789
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4390062
- OSTI ID:
- 864594
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Downhole steam generator having a downhole oxidant compressor
Downhole steam generator having a downhole oxidant compressor
Related Subjects
steam
generator
pressure
fuel
air
supply
apparatus
generation
borehole
penetration
earth
formation
spiral
tubular
heat
exchanger
combustion
chamber
isolate
process
water
superheated
conversion
isolation
allows
relatively
oxidant
mixture
generating
enthalpy
preheated
feedback
gases
top
preheater
hot
exhaust
bottom
flowing
enter
passage
pipe
mounted
inside
line
heating
ejected
expansion
nozzle
converts
prior
responsive
doors
provided
outlet
downstream
close
lost
due
flameout
mounted inside
water flow
combustion process
earth formation
exhaust gases
steam generator
combustion chamber
heat exchange
heat exchanger
combustion gases
combustion gas
exhaust gas
fuel mixture
supply line
water supply
air supply
downhole steam
responsive doors
water flowing
pressure fuel
steam outlet
pressure responsive
tubular heat
hot exhaust
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