Wells – Processes – In situ combustion
Patent
1979-02-26
1980-10-21
Novosad, Stephen J.
Wells
Processes
In situ combustion
166257, 166272, 166302, E21B 43243
Patent
active
042288568
ABSTRACT:
A process for recovering a viscous, combustible material, for example tar from a tar sand or oil and bitumen from heavy oil, from a sub-surface deposit of the material. The process comprises forming a substantially vertical main bore into the deposit and igniting the deposit adjacent the base of the bore. Such ignition may be carried out by any means, for example by burning a fuel, by an explosion or by a laser beam. Generally the ignition is assisted until such time as the material in the deposit is ignited. A supply of air is arranged to the ignition site so that a self-sustaining combustion takes place in the bore once the ignition is properly established. This combustion is supported by a natural draft generated by the combustion. The gaseous products of the combustion can leave the bore and the heat of the combustion and of the gaseous products of combustion as they leave the bore liquefy the material in the deposit. This heat can also be used to develop steam from water supplied to a vessel in the bore, which steam also assists in liquefying the material. The liquefied material is extracted from the bore. The process avoids the high pressure requirements of the prior art processes and, in particular, does not need high fluid pressure to drive the liquefied products from one bore to another bore.
REFERENCES:
patent: 947608 (1910-01-01), Betts
patent: 2761663 (1956-09-01), Gerdetz
patent: 2874777 (1959-02-01), Tadema
patent: 2930598 (1960-03-01), Parker
patent: 3017168 (1962-01-01), Carr
patent: 3191679 (1965-06-01), Miller
patent: 3240270 (1966-03-01), Marx
patent: 3457995 (1969-07-01), Cornelius et al.
patent: 3599714 (1971-08-01), Messman et al.
patent: 3933447 (1976-01-01), Pasini et al.
patent: 4092052 (1978-05-01), Terry
Novosad Stephen J.
Suchfield George A.
LandOfFree
Process for recovering viscous, combustible material does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for recovering viscous, combustible material, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for recovering viscous, combustible material will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2018888