Steam generation apparatus and associated control system and methods for providing venting
AssigneeSkavis Corporation
InventorsRandall J. Davis, Charles F. Noll, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The current disclosure relates to a method of steam generation. Particularly, the current disclosure relates to steam generation supply apparati and associated control systems that are used for enhanced oil recovery. Certain embodiments are provided including methods and associated control systems related to the startup as well as main steam pressure header control or maintenance of a desired steam quality for such steam generation systems during normal operation.
Claims15
A method of starting up or running in normal operation an apparatus capable of producing at least one of water and steam of varying quality, the apparatus including a feedwater supply system that includes a booster pump and a feedwater pump comprising a crankcase, a steam generation system and a delivery system that includes a main steam header pipe that runs from the steam generation system to a destination, and a vent pipe that branches from the main steam header pipe and that runs to a venting reservoir, the method comprising the following steps:
- determining whether the feedwater pump is running, which comprises the steps of
- determining if a pump inlet pressure is too low,
- determining that an oil level in a crankcase is not too low, and
- determining whether the booster pump is running, and
- determining whether a feedwater pump outlet pressure and an outlet temperature are too high;
- determining whether a pressure in the main steam header pipe is within acceptable parameters;
- and
- sending steam or water to the venting reservoir if the pressure in the main steam header pipe is not within acceptable parameters.
A method of starting up or running in normal operation an apparatus capable of producing at least one of water and steam of varying quality, the apparatus including a feedwater supply system that includes a booster pump and a feedwater pump comprising a crankcase, a steam generation system and a delivery system that includes a main steam header pipe that runs from the steam generation system to a destination, a pressure control valve that is operatively associated with the vent pipe, a pressure safety valve that vents directly from the main steam header pipe to atmosphere, and a vent pipe that branches from the main steam header pipe and that runs to a venting reservoir, the method comprising the following steps:
- determining whether the feedwater pump is running, which comprises the steps of
- determining if a pump inlet pressure is too low,
- determining that an oil level in a crankcase is not too low, and
- determining whether the booster pump is running;
- determining whether a pressure in the main steam header pipe is within acceptable parameters;
- sending steam or water to the venting reservoir if the pressure in the main steam header pipe is not within acceptable parameters;
- opening the pressure control valve before opening the pressure safety valve;
- and
- opening the pressure safety valve.
A method of starting up or running in normal operation an apparatus capable of producing at least one of water and steam of varying quality, the apparatus including a feedwater supply system that includes a booster pump and a feedwater pump comprising a crankcase, a steam generation system comprising a pipe-in-pipe heat exchanger, and a delivery system that includes a main steam header pipe that runs from the steam generation system to a destination, and a vent pipe that branches from the main steam header pipe and that runs to a venting reservoir, the method comprising the following steps:
- determining whether the feedwater pump is running, which comprises the steps of
- determining if a pump inlet pressure is too low,
- determining that an oil level in a crankcase is not too low, and
- determining whether the booster pump is running;
- determining whether a pressure in the main steam header pipe is within acceptable parameters;
- sending steam or water to the venting reservoir if the pressure in the main steam header pipe is not within acceptable parameters;
- and
- heating water by passing the water's flow paths against each other in a counter-flow arrangement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.