Abstract: A metal-air battery cell includes an electrode assembly and a sealed pouch. The electrode assembly includes an air electrode, a negative electrode, a separator in contact with and disposed between the electrodes, and a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer in contact with a side of the air electrode opposite the separator. The pouch envelops the electrode assembly and contains an electrolyte therein. The pouch is defined by a gas permeable hydrophobic flexible layer in contact with the hydrophobic gas diffusion layer, and a gas and liquid impermeable flexible layer in contact with the negative electrode. The electrode assembly further includes a terminal extending from and away at least one of the electrodes, and through the pouch. The layers of the pouch are sealed to each other and around the terminal.

Abstract: A redox flow battery system including a reactive cell with an anode chamber separated from a cathode chamber separated by an ion-permeable membrane is provided. A catholyte reservoir is connected to the cathode chamber by a catholyte fluid circulation circuit. An anolyte reservoir is connected to the anolyte chamber by an anolyte fluid circulation circuit. Nitrogen sparging of reactive oxygen from the catholyte fluid in the catholyte reservoir prevents the formation of a finely divided solid precipitate in the catholyte fluid. Nitrogen may be provided from an external source of nitrogen. Nitrogen may also be provided by the in situ generation of nitrogen from air.

Abstract: A system for recovering hydrocarbons comprises a downhole steam generator for coupling with a packer in an injector well, an umbilical device coupled to the downhole steam generator for lifting or lowering the downhole steam generator in the injector well, a first shear point disposed between the downhole steam generator and the packer, and a second shear point disposed between the umbilical device and the downhole steam generator, wherein the first shear point has a shear strength that is different than a shear strength of the second shear point.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a Downhole Steam Generator (DHSG) system includes a cascade control strategy for control of individual final control elements in communication with a local well master controller. The final control elements may control fuel, oxidant, feedwater, and/or carbon dioxide flow to the downhole steam generator. The local well master controller may monitor and adjust the flows to the DHSG to control the operating performance of the DHSG.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a completion string for an enhanced oil recovery system is provided. The completion string includes an umbilical device having a plurality of conduits disposed therein, a downhole steam generator coupled to the umbilical device by a connect/disconnect device, and a conduit extending from the downhole steam generator through a packer.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Abstract: An energy storage includes a cell that defines a flow chamber for receiving electrolyte, and an electrode arrangement positioned in the cell. The electrode arrangement includes a plate having first and second sides. The plate further has multiple openings that vary in size to facilitate electrolyte flow on both sides of the plate.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling the temperature of fluids produced from a reservoir to prevent overheating of an adjacent geological formation. A cooling fluid is supplied through an annulus formed between a production tubing and a production casing, which are in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cooling fluid is mixed with the reservoir fluid, and the fluids are produced through the production tubing. The temperature of the produced fluids is controlled or reduced by heat exchange with the cooling fluid supplied through the annulus to prevent excessive heat dissipation to the geological formation.

Abstract: An energy storage system according to the present disclosure includes a cell and an electrolyte supply arrangement for supplying an electrolyte to the cell. The cell has a flow chamber, an electrode and a mixing arrangement positioned in the flow chamber proximate the electrode. The mixing arrangement includes a plurality of ramps that each extend at an angle with respect to the electrode, and each respective ramp defines a void space between the respective ramp and the electrode. Furthermore, the ramps and the void spaces are configured to facilitate mixing of the electrolyte in the flow chamber.

Abstract: A metal-air battery includes a canister and a spiral wound electrode assembly disposed within the canister. The electrode assembly includes an ion permeable and substantially gas impermeable anode, a catalytic cathode, and a dielectric separator disposed between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a reservoir comprises performing a first CHOPS process in one or more first wells, performing a second CHOPS process in one or more second wells that are laterally offset from the first wells, and injecting gas and/or steam into the one or more second wells after the CHOPS processes are at least partially completed. A plurality of channels that extend from the one or more first and second wells may be created as a result of the CHOPS processes. The gas and/or steam may be injected into the channels of the one or more second wells via a downhole steam generator that is located in the one or more second wells. The gas and/or steam may form a gas and/or steam front that drives reservoir products into the channels of the one or more first wells. The reservoir products may be recovered to the surface through the one or more first wells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a completion string for an enhanced oil recovery system is provided. The completion string includes an umbilical device having a plurality of conduits disposed therein, a downhole steam generator coupled to the umbilical device by a connect/disconnect device, and a conduit extending from the downhole steam generator through a packer.

Abstract: A metal-air battery according to the present disclosure includes an electrode assembly with a first electrode layer having a length and being folded lengthwise, and a gas diffusion layer having a length that is approximately half the length of the first electrode layer. Furthermore, the gas diffusion layer is positioned proximate the first electrode layer or between first and second portions of the first electrode layer.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a Downhole Steam Generator (DHSG) system includes a cascade control strategy for control of individual final control elements in communication with a local well master controller. The final control elements may control fuel, oxidant, feedwater, and/or carbon dioxide flow to the downhole steam generator. The local well master controller may monitor and adjust the flows to the DHSG to control the operating performance of the DHSG.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. In one embodiment, a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes positioning a first device into a first horizontal well, injecting a first fluid into the first horizontal well through the first device, producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well, injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells to drive fluids in the reservoir toward the second well while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well, and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring and controlling the operation of a downhole steam generator. The system may include surface and/or downhole control systems for sending and/or receiving control and measurement signals. The control systems may also communicate with and control surface and/or downhole equipment for supplying process fluids, gasses, and/or mixtures to the downhole steam generator. The control system may control operation of the downhole steam generator by storing, processing, and/or analyzing measured data corresponding to one or more downhole steam generator operations and/or one or more field, formation, reservoir, or other operating objective.