Apparatus, system, and method for controlling combustion gas output in direct steam generation for oil recovery

摘要

An apparatus, system, and method for controlling combustion gas output in direct steam generation for oil recovery. A direct combustion steam generator burns a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas mixture to produce combustion products including steam, CO2 and N2. Supplemental oxygen is separately supplied to the combustion steam generator to adjust the oxygen content of the oxygen-containing gas mixture during the combustion process in order to adjust the ratio of CO2 to N2 produced in the combustion products.

主权项

1. A direct combustion steam generator adapted to burn a hydrocarbon fuel therein in which a byproduct of such combustion is water in the form of steam, comprising:
(a) a combustion container comprising an inner wall defining a combustion chamber, the combustion container having a first end comprising a burner for producing a flame within the combustion chamber for carrying out combustion of a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas to produce combustion products comprising at least steam, CO2, and at desired times N2, and a second end comprising an effluent outlet through which the combustion products exit from the combustion chamber in an effluent stream; (b) at least one fuel inlet at the first end of the combustion container, the fuel inlet located proximate the burner and configured to deliver the fuel to the burner at a delivery pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure; (c) at least one air inlet at the first end of the combustion container, the air inlet located proximate the burner and configured to deliver air to the burner at a delivery pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure; (d) at least one supplemental oxygen inlet at the first end of the combustion container, the supplemental oxygen inlet located proximate the burner and configured to deliver a supply of supplemental oxygen having a percentage of nitrogen therein less than air and comprising up to 100% pure oxygen to the burner, wherein the supplemental oxygen contributes to or comprises the oxygen-containing mixture; (e) a flow regulator means for adjusting a rate of flow of air through the at least one air inlet relative to a rate of flow of said supplemental oxygen through said at least one supplemental oxygen inlet, to thereby adjust an amount of oxygen in said oxygen-containing gas being supplied to said burner; wherein a proportion or amount of said one or more combustion products produced in the combustion chamber which form said effluent stream is adjustable by use of said flow regulator means.