Method for creating crude oil synthesized fluid having surfactant and demulsification properties
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsJamie Kraus, David Staack, Howard Jemison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a first pump configured to transport a solution including oil from an oil reservoir to a plasma electro-coalescence reactor;
- the plasma electro-coalescence reactor configured to:
- receive the solution;
- generate non-thermal plasma along an interface between a non-combusting headspace gas and the solution;
- remove oil separated from the solution;
- and
- remove water separated from the solution, the water comprising demulsifiers formed along the interface of the non-combusting headspace gas and the solution;
- and
- a second pump configured to transport the water from the plasma electro-coalescence reactor to the oil reservoir.
A method comprising:
- transporting a solution including oil from an oil reservoir to a plasma electro-coalescence reactor;
- generating non-thermal plasma along an interface between a non-combusting headspace gas and the solution in the reactor;
- removing oil separated from the solution from the reactor;
- removing water separated from the solution from the reactor, the water comprising demulsifiers formed along the interface between the non-combusting headspace gas and the solution;
- and
- transporting the water from the reactor to the oil reservoir, thereby introducing at least a portion of the demulsifiers to the oil reservoir.
A system comprising:
- a pump configured to transport a solution including oil to a plasma electro-coalescence reactor;
- the plasma electro-coalescence reactor configured to:
- receive the solution;
- generate non-thermal plasma along an interface between a non-combusting headspace gas and the solution;
- remove oil separated from the solution;
- and
- remove water separated from the solution, the water comprising demulsifiers formed along the interface between the non-combusting headspace gas and the solution;
- and
- a discharge line configured to transport the removed water to a destination other than an oil reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.