BRINE 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 generating steam in a hydrocarbon recovery operation, comprising:
introducing water produced in the hydrocarbon recovery operation into a vessel; heating a brine within the vessel to above a boiling point of the water; contacting the water with the brine for vaporization of the water into steam at a first pressure within the vessel; separating the steam in an overhead of the vessel from the liquid for injection in the hydrocarbon recovery operation; and removing impurities within the brine that buildup from the water by purging a portion of the brine from the vessel and flashing the portion at a second pressure lower than the first pressure to generate an aqueous waste stream and a vapor stream for reuse.