# US 11,905,808 B2 · Method and apparatus for thermal fluid generation for use in enhanced oil recovery

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,905,808 B2
- Document ID: US11905808B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/693,981
- Filed: 2022-03-14
- Published: 2022-06-23
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-27
- Assignees: Vipera, Inc.
- Applicants: Vipera Inc.
- Inventors: James Landry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11905808B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/2401: {by means of electricity}
- E21B 43/166: {Injecting a gaseous medium; Injecting a gaseous medium and a liquid medium (CO2 injection E21B43/164; steam injection E21B43/24)}
- E21B 43/2408: {SAGD in combination with other methods}
- E21B 43/164: {Injecting CO2 or carbonated water (in combination with organic material C09K8/594)}
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thermal fluid generator assembly for generating heated fluid for injection into subterranean strata comprising:
a) a shroud member defining a central opening;
b) a plasma torch having at least one torch nozzle configured to generate a plasma jet stream extending through said central opening;
c) at least one water nozzle configured to spray water at said plasma jet stream, wherein said water is heated by said plasma jet stream to create steam;
d) at least one copper coil disposed around said at least one torch nozzle;
e) at least one outlet port extending through said shroud member to deliver a second gas to mix with said steam.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermal fluid generator assembly of claim 1, wherein electrical current flows through said at least one copper coil to generate an electromagnetic field.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thermal fluid generator assembly of claim 1, wherein said thermal fluid generator is positioned downhole within a wellbore.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The thermal fluid generator assembly of claim 1, wherein said second gas comprises nitrogen.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The thermal fluid generator assembly of claim 4, further comprising a nitrogen generation assembly for extracting said nitrogen from ambient air and delivering said extracted nitrogen to said plasma torch or said shroud member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The thermal fluid generator assembly of claim 1, wherein said water is sprayed in a frustoconical spray pattern.

### Claim 7

A method for generating heated fluid for stimulating the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprising:
a) providing a thermal fluid generator assembly, wherein said thermal fluid generator assembly comprises:
i) a shroud member;
ii) a housing defining an inner chamber and having an outlet;
iii) a plasma torch having at least one torch nozzle operationally attached to said shroud member for generating a plasma jet stream extending into said inner chamber of said housing;
iv) at least one water nozzle disposed on said shroud member in spaced relationship around said plasma torch;
v) at least one copper coil disposed around said at least one torch nozzle;
b) spraying water through said at least one water nozzle at said plasma jet stream;
c) generating steam in said inner chamber of said housing;
d) flowing electrical current through said at least one copper coil to generate an electromagnetic field;
e) delivering a second gas to said inner chamber of said housing to mix with said steam; and
f) delivering said mixture of steam and said second gas through said outlet of said housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein further comprising the step of circulating water to cool said plasma torch.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said water is sprayed in a frustoconical spray pattern.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said second gas comprises carbon dioxide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said second gas comprises nitrogen.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein said nitrogen is extracted from air.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said water sprayed through said at least one water nozzle is generated during extraction of nitrogen from air.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said thermal fluid generator assembly is positioned downhole within a wellbore.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein at least one gas is heated by said plasma torch prior to being injected into a subterranean reservoir.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one gas comprises carbon dioxide.