US1861013A - Process for recovering petroleum and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Description

1932- F. A. HOWARD 1,861,013

PROCESS FOR RECOVERING PETROLEUM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed June 24. 1927 GASES FOR 1 COMBUSTION SEPARA TOR /'&

Flat-1 fiANK/fi. ffOM ARD 8440044 60:

Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK'A. HOWARD, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD OIL DE- VELOPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PROCESS FOR RECOVERING PETROLEUM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed June 24,

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining petroleum from oil wells. More particularly the invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the revival or acceleration of flow in .wells which flow sluggishly or have ceased toflow. In accordance with my method, gases are generated by combustion below the level of the oil in the well. The gases commingle with the oil to form a column of mixed .oil

and gas.

Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings is a vertical section of apparatus adapted for maintaining combustion at a point in the oil to be lifted and Fig. 2 is a vertical plan, partly in section, of apparatus "suitable for carrying out my invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates an elongated cylindrical chamber 1, having a refractory lining 2 and a steel floor 3. The guide 4 is provided on the lower end of the chamber for facilitating descent in the tube. Combustion gases may escape through openings 5. Rod 7 holds the means for initiating combustion 6 at the proper point in the chamber. The wire 7a is a means for lowerin the igniter 6 and rod 7 into the chamber. ases to support combustion may be introduced through inlet pipes 8 and 9.

Fig. 2 illustrates the combustion chamber, previously described, in tube 10 which in turn is concentrically located in casing 11. Compressors 16 and 17 supply air and natural gas respectively, or mixturesof the two, through pipes 8 and 9 to the chamber. Valves 18, 19 and 20 control flow lines 8 and 9. 21 is a stufling box through which the ignition element may be introduced in the combustion chamber. The oil lifted passes through pipe 12 into separator 13 from which combustion gases and oil may be withdrawn through valved pipes 14 and 15 respectively.

The apparatus shown is in illustration merely and not in any sense in limitation of that which may be used without departing from my invention. Among other things, the apparatus may be so operated that only one of the lead in pipes 8 or 9 is required. The .inner tube 10 may, under certain conditions,

1927. Serial N0. 201,066.

be dispensed with and the products of combustion liberated in casing 11. Equalization chambers may be provided. in pipes 8 and 9 go assist in maintaining a uniform rateof ow. When operating the apparatus shown, with the burner in position, compressors l6 and 17 are started'up. Their running rate is adjusted so that a combustible mixture of air and gas will result in the chamber 1 and the w oil will bedisplacedtherefrom. Combustion is, initiated by means of element 6. Element 6 may be of various forms; it may consist of a cage containing spongy platinum, in which event it is only necessary to lower the element into the chamber and combustion is thereby initiated. It may consist of a resistance element or spark gap in which case it is necessary to lower it into the chamber so that rod 7 makes contact with steel floor 3 and thereupon to apply current, high tension for spark gap or low tension for resistance element.-

The lowering of the ignition element is accomplished by a Wire passing through stuffing box 21 and pipe 8. If electrical ignition means is employed, this wire should be suitably insulated. utilized as return for the electric current.

Subsequent to ignition, the operation of the compressors is continued and combustion is thereby maintained in chamber 1. This chamber permits of the maintenance of com-.

bustion therein although entirely surrounded by liquid and the hot gaseous products of combustion escape thorugh the openings 5 into the column of'petroleum. This results in a resumption oracceleration of flow and the ascending column of petroleum and gas is diverted through pipe 12 to separator 13.

The gas passes off through valved pipe 14 while petroleum is, withdrawn through .valve'd pipe 15. The gas from 14 is prefer- The lead in pipes may be.

tible and on uniting in the chamber, form a combustible mixture.

The heat of combustion operates to prevent the formation of parafiinic or other organic deposits in the casing and to remove previously formed obstructions of this character. In an alternative method of operating this apparatus, I may dispense with one lead-in line and discharge both compressors into a common line, for example 8, by appropriate manipulation of valves 18, 19 and 20. In this case, the compressors are operated to deliver a mixture of air and gas in combustible proportions by means of one lead-in pipe. The rate of flow of this mixture through the lead in pipe may be greater than the rate of flame propa ation. The" method of ignition and the su sequent operation of the' apparatus are substantially identical with that previously described.

While I have described a form of apparatus and methods of operation, it will be understood that my invention is not limited thereto but comprises broadly a method and apparatus for lifting petroleum oils from natural reservoirs by the generation and liberation of products of combustion at a point in the oil to be lifted What I claim is:

1. The method of lifting oil from oil wells,

which comprises bringing together non-combustible mixtures of am and gas in separate non-combustible streams below the surface of the oil to be lifted and in such proportions as to form a combustible mixture, igniting said combustible mixture. continuously maintaining the resulting flame without explosion and commingling the products of combustion with the oil to be lifted to form an ascending column of mixed oil and gas.

2. The method of lifting oil from an oil Well, which comprises passing fuel and air in a confined stream to a combustion chamber within the body of oil in the well and opening into the body of oil, igniting the fuel in the combustion chamber onl when the'fuelreaches a position beneath the level of the body of'oil, and commingling the products of combustion with the oil to form an ascending column of mixed oil and gas.

3. A gas lift elevator for a well casing con taining liquid, comprisin a combustion chamber having an outlet'sli bmerged beneath the normal level of liquid within the casing, means for supplying fuel and air to the cham her, an ignition element, and means for suspending the ignition element within the chamber for initiating combustion of the fuel.

FRANK A. HOWARD.

Images