HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING

摘要

A plurality of heaters is provided to be disposed end to end within a bore hole of a formation where the bore hole extends from an upper end to a lower end such that a lower heater of the plurality of heaters is proximal to the lower end of the bore hole while every other of the plurality of heaters is distal from the lower end of the bore hole. Each of the plurality of heaters includes a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. Each of the plurality of heaters has a thermal output that is less than or equal to a predetermined value except the lower heater of the plurality of heaters which has a thermal output that is greater than the predetermined value.

主权项

1. A plurality of heaters to be disposed end to end within a bore hole of a formation, said bore hole extending from an upper end to a lower end such that a lower heater of said plurality of heaters is proximal to said lower end of said bore hole while every other of said plurality of heaters is distal from said lower end of said bore hole, each of said plurality of heaters comprising:
a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent; wherein each one of said every other of said plurality of heaters has a thermal output that is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and wherein said lower heater of said plurality of heaters has a thermal output that is greater than said predetermined value.