Increasing subterranean mobilization of organic contaminants and petroleum by aqueous thermal oxidation
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRoald N. Leif, Kevin G. Knauss, Robin L. Newmark, Roger D. Aines, Craig Eaker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of organics at the site of the organics constrained in an subsurface reservoir produces surfactants that can form an oil/water emulsion that is effectively removed from an underground formation. The removal of the oil/water emulsions is particularly useful in several applications, e.g., soil contaminant remediation and enhanced oil recovery operations. A portion of the constrained organics react in heated reservoir water with injected steam containing dissolved oxygen gas at ambient reservoir conditions to produce such surfactants.
Claims21
A method for producing surfactants from accumulations of constrained organics at a subsurface site in a subsurface reservoir, said method comprising:
- injecting steam and an oxidant into the subsurface site containing constrained organics to form a mixture containing predetermined portions of (a) condensed water from the stream and (b) the oxidant, water from the subsurface site and the constrained organics from the reservoir;
- allowing hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of the mixture to produce surfactants that form an oil/water emulsion with a second portion of the constrained organics and condensed water from the steam and/or water occurring naturally in the reservoir;
- and
- removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface reservoir.
A method for removing constrained organics from a subsurface reservoir, said method comprising:
- elevating the temperature of the subsurface reservoir above the naturally occurring temperature of said reservoir,
- introducing steam into said reservoir,
- allowing at least a portion of said steam to condense in said reservoir,
- introducing an oxidant into said reservoir so as to contact water from condensed steam and/or water occurring naturally in the reservoir,
- producing surfactant precursors and/or surfactants at the site of the constrained organics contained in said reservoir,
- forming oil/water emulsions stabilized by said surfactant precursors and/or said surfactants, and
- removing said oil/water emulsions from said reservoir.
An enhanced oil recovery method comprising:
- injecting steam and an oxidant into a subsurface reservoir containing constrained crude oil and liquid water;
- producing surfactants by in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of a first portion of the crude oil;
- forming an oil/water emulsion from the produced surfactants, the liquid water and a second portion of the crude oil;
- and
- removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface reservoir.
An environmental restoration method comprising:
- injecting oxygen-containing gas and steam into subsurface soil containing constrained organic contaminants and condensate water;
- producing surfactants by in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of the organic contaminants;
- forming an oil/water emulsion from the produced surfactants, the condensate water and a second portion of the constrained organic contaminants;
- and
- removing the oil/water emulsion from the subsurface soil.
A process for in situ hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation of chlorinated or fuel hydrocarbons or other volatile contaminants, comprising:
- (a) inducing hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation at a site of contamination by introducing steam and oxygen under pressure to a site of contamination;
- (b) optionally relieving the build-in pressure;
- (c) allowing the hydrous pyrolysis/partial oxidation resulting in partial oxidation of a first portion of the contaminants to produce surfactants;
- and
- (d) removing from the site of contamination a contaminant/surfactant/water emulsion formed from mixing the produced surfactants with a second portion of the contaminants.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.