Method and apparatus for producing a high pressure thermal vapor stream

A method of producing a high pressure thermal vapor stream of water vapor in combustion gases for injection into a subterranean formation, for the recovery of heavy viscous petroleum, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• directing high pressure combustion gases into a partially water filled vapor generator vessel for producing therein a high pressure stream of water vapor and combustion gases to be discharged therefrom in a discharge stream;
• injecting high quality steam into the discharge stream to increase the steam-to-combustion gas ratio of the discharge stream;
• and
• flowing the high pressure discharge stream into the subterranean formation for enhanced recovery of heavy viscous petroleum from the subterranean formation.

An apparatus for producing a high pressure thermal vapor stream of water vapor and combustion gases for recovering heavy viscous petroleum from a subterranean formation, comprising:

• a vapor generator vessel, with vapor generator vessel being partially filled with water;
• directing means within said vapor generator vessel for directing high pressure combustion gases into said vapor generator vessel for producing a high pressure stream of water vapor and combustion gases in said vapor generator vessel;
• injection means within said vapor generator vessel for injecting high quality steam into said high pressure stream of water vapor and combustion gases within said vapor generator vessel to increase the steam-to-combustion gas ratio of a discharge stream produced with said vapor generator vessel;
• and,
• flowing means in connection with said vapor generator vessel for flowing said high pressure discharge stream from said vapor generator vessel into the subterranean formation for enhanced recovery of heavy viscous petroleum from the subterranean formation.