US 4,024,912 AGranted

Hydrogen generating system

OwnerJoseph T. Hamrick, Leslie C. Roseinventors

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Abstract

A partial oxidation process and system for burning crude oil with just enough oxygen in a gas generator to convert all of the carbon to carbon monoxide to form carbon monoxide and free hydrogen. Water or steam is added and the gas water reaction carried out over an iron base catalyst to produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen. Atomizing means is provided for atomizing the oil with steam for injection into the gas generator. In hydrocarbon recovery operations, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen are passed through a turbine for cooling while performing work. The gases from the turbine are passed through a first cooler; compressed by a compressor; and then applied to a second cooler which liquifies the carbon dioxide for separation from the hydrogen. The hydrogen is then conveyed to a downhole gas generator.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A system for producing hydrogen for use for recovering hydrocarbons and other fluids from an underground formation containing hydrocarbons and penetrated by an operating borehole comprising:

generating means for burning hydrocarbons with just enough oxygen to convert substantially all of the carbon of the hydrocarbons to carbon monoxide to form carbon monoxide and free hydrogen,
reforming means containing a catalyst coupled to said generating means for receiving said carbon monoxide and hydrogen,
means for adding water or steam to said reforming means to produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen,
cooling means for cooling said carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced by said reforming means,
compressing means for compressing said carbon dioxide and hydrogen from said cooling means,
removal means coupled to the output of said compressing means for removing said carbon dioxide from the gases flowing from the output of said compressing means to obtain substantially pure hydrogen, and
means for flowing the hydrogen from said removal means to a utilization device located in said operating borehole at or near the level of said formation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/653,360Filed 29 Jan 1976 · continuation in part
Priority: 20 Dec 1974
Granted: 24 May 1977
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

E21B 36/02
Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones: using burners
C01B 3/36
By reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents: using oxygen; using mixtures containing oxygen as gasifying agents
C01B 3/48
By reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents: followed by reaction of water vapour with carbon monoxide
E21B 34/16
Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells: control means therefor being outside the borehole