Process and skid-mounted system for inert gas generation

Apparatus for generation of an inert gas for backsurging and artificial lift for oil wells, said apparatus comprising:

• a diesel engine;
• means for admitting atmospheric air into said diesel engine through an air filter and a turbocompressor;
• said turbocompressor including a turbine, means for discharging flue gas from the engine through said turbine of said turbocompressor, a first cooler for cooling said flue gas;
• a first cyclone, means for supplying said flue gas from the turbine of the turbocompressor to said first cooler for initially cooling said flue gas and for supplying said cooled flue gas from the first cooler to said first cyclone;
• a second cooler;
• a first compressor having first and second stages, means for supplying said flue gas from the first cyclone after separation of water and solid particles from said flue gas to said first stage of said first compressor and from said first stage into said second cooler for further cooling said flue gas;
• a third cooler, means for supplying said flue gas from said second cooler to said second stage of said first compressor for further compressing said cooled flue gas and for supplying said flue gas from said second stage of said first compressor to said third cooler for additionally cooling said flue gas;
• a second cyclone, means supplying said flue gas from said third cooler to said second cyclone downstream thereof for further separating water and solid particles from said flue gas after cooling within said third cooler;
• a fourth cooler;
• a second compressor having first and second stages, means for supplying said flue gas from said second cyclone to said first stage of said second compressor and for supplying said flue gas from said first stage of said second compressor to said fourth cooler;
• means for removing said further cooled flue gas from said fourth cooler and admitting said further cooled flue gas into said second stage of said second compressor for further gas pressurization;
• a fifth cooler, means for supplying said further pressurized flue gas from said second stage of said second compressor to said fifth cooler downstream thereof;
• and
• means for discharging said further cooled flue gas within said fifth cooler from said fifth cooler after further cooling of same in a condition where said flue gas is highly inert and at a high pressure by compression within said first and second compressors for lifting crude oil from an on-site oil well.