BITUMEN BASED INDIRECT STEAM BOILER

摘要

Systems and methods generate steam in hydrocarbon recovery operations and may further enable emulsion separation and product upgrading. The methods rely on indirect boiling of water by contact with a thermal transfer liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Examples of the liquid include oils, recovered hydrocarbons, liquid metals and brine. Heating of the liquid may utilize circulation of the liquid across or through a furnace, heat exchangers, or a gas-liquid contactor supplied with hot gas. Further, a solvent for bitumen introduced into the water may also vaporize upon contact with the thermal transfer liquid.

主权项

1. A method of separating and upgrading liquid hydrocarbons, comprising:
introducing into a vessel a mixture recovered from an underground formation and including the hydrocarbons and produced water; heating the hydrocarbons in a bottom of the vessel such that the produced water introduced into the vessel is vaporized by contact with the hydrocarbons that are heated and rises to an overhead of the vessel for removal; and withdrawing from the vessel a sales portion of the hydrocarbons that have been upgraded by visbreaking resulting from the heating.