Abstract: A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train is described. The method involves obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train. Obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train. Recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations. Characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

Abstract: A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train is described. The method involves obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train. Obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train. Recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations. Characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

Abstract: A closed loop combustion system for the combustion of fuels using a molten metal oxide bed.

Abstract: Method and systems relate to generating steam by transitioning water from supercritical conditions and injecting the steam that results into a formation to facilitate recovery of oil. Pressurizing and heating the water forms a supercritical fluid that may solvate impurities in the water and/or oxidize the impurities. Retaining the impurities in solution and/or oxidation of the impurities limits fouling problems associated with generating the steam from water recycled in thermal processes, such as steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), for recovering the oil.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to generating steam from water that may be recycled in thermal oil recovery processes and is heated in tubes having non-obtrusive features to limit fouling formation. The tubes may include jets to generate enhanced flow mixing along an inner wall of the tubes in order to increase heat transfer and disrupt bubble nucleation. Employing the tubes with the inner wall having an average surface roughness of less than one micron may further facilitate disruption of the bubble nucleation.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to vaporizing water into steam, which may be utilized in applications such as bitumen production. The methods rely on indirect boiling of the water by contact with a substance such as solid particulate heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Heating of the solid particulate may utilize pressure isolated heat exchanger units or a hot gas recirculation circuit at a pressure corresponding to that desired for the steam. Further, the water may form part of a mixture that contacts the solid particulate and includes a solvent for the bitumen in order to limit vaporization energy requirements and facilitate the production.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate steam from produced water by passing the produced water through first and second steam generators coupled together. The first steam generator produces wet steam in which a liquid effluent with impurities of the produced water passes to the second steam generator. The second steam generator combusts fuel and oxidant in direct contact with the liquid effluent. The first and second steam generators limit fouling and waste while providing a combined steam output that may include combustion products from only the second steam generator.

Abstract: The present method produces treated water from a direct steam generator. The method begins by injecting water into a direct steam generator. The injected water is then vaporized with the direct steam generator to produce steam and an effluent stream. The combustible water impurities in the water are then combusted inside a chamber in the direct steam generator and the solid particles are removed from the effluent stream to produce a treated stream.

Abstract: A method of introducing flue gas, from a flue stack in a steam-assisted production facility, into a heat exchanger. The flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline gas and produced gas. The method begins by cooling a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas in the heat exchanger to produce flue gas water. This flue gas water is then collected and removed as make-up water.

Abstract: Methods for removing acid gases and recovering water from flue gas. A flue gas is introduced into a water spray tower and is cooled by direct contact with a sprayed aqueous stream to condense a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas. Acid gases present in the flue gas are absorbed into the aqueous mixture, and a chemical added to the stream facilitates conversion of absorbed acid gases. The aqueous stream leaving the spray tower is next treated to remove contaminants, such as carbonates and bicarbonates, thereby producing a cleaned aqueous stream that may be split into a stream that is cooled prior to reuse in the spray tower, as well as a stream that is fed back to the boiler.

Abstract: A method for introducing flue gas in a steam-assisted production facility into a vapor-liquid contactor. In this method the flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline natural gas and produced gas. The flue gas is cooled with the vapor-liquid contactor to condense a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas to produce a water stream. The water stream is then recirculated and cooled in an air cooler to produce recirculating water exiting the bottom of the vapor-liquid contactor. A water slipstream is then taken off the recirculating water to be used as make-up water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to both generating steam for injection into a wellbore and capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) produced when generating the steam. A direct steam generator (DSG) makes the steam by contacting water with a combustion area for hydrogen and oxygen. Quantity of the steam made exceeds quantity of water input into the steam generator since the steam includes vaporized water resulting from combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen mixed with the water inputted and heated. Steam-methane-reforming or autothermal-reforming produces the hydrogen stripped of the CO2 prior to introduction into the steam generator. Further, an air separation unit supplies the oxygen to the steam generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to producing hydrocarbons. Injecting a fluid mixture of steam and carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon bearing formation facilitates recovery of the hydrocarbons. Further, limiting amounts of non-condensable gases in the mixture may promote dissolving of the carbon dioxide into the hydrocarbons upon contact of the mixture with the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to processing flue gas from oxy-fuel combustion. Steam generated without contact of the steam with the flue gas combines with the flue gas for injection into a formation to facilitate oil recovery from the formation. Fluids produced include the oil and carbon dioxide with a lower concentration of oxygen than present in the flue gas that is injected.

Abstract: The present method produces treated water from a direct steam generator. The method begins by injecting water into a direct steam generator. The injected water is then vaporized with the direct steam generator to produce steam and an effluent stream. The combustible water impurities in the water are then combusted inside a chamber in the direct steam generator and the solid particles are removed from the effluent stream to produce a treated stream.

Abstract: A closed loop combustion system for the combustion of fuels using a molten metal oxide bed.

Abstract: A method for introducing flue gas in a steam-assisted production facility into a vapor-liquid contactor. In this method the flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline natural gas and produced gas. The flue gas is cooled with the vapor-liquid contactor to condense a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas to produce a water stream. The water stream is then recirculated and cooled in an air cooler to produce recirculating water exiting the bottom of the vapor-liquid contactor. A water slipstream is then taken off the recirculating water to be used as make-up water.

Abstract: A method of introducing flue gas, from a flue stack in a steam-assisted production facility, into a heat exchanger. The flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline gas and produced gas. The method begins by cooling a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas in the heat exchanger to produce flue gas water. This flue gas water is then collected and removed as make-up water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to producing hydrocarbons. Injecting a fluid mixture of steam and carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon bearing formation facilitates recovery of the hydrocarbons. Further, limiting amounts of non-condensable gases in the mixture may promote dissolving of the carbon dioxide into the hydrocarbons upon contact of the mixture with the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to both generating steam for injection into a wellbore and capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) produced when generating the steam. A direct steam generator (DSG) makes the steam by contacting water with a combustion area for hydrogen and oxygen. Quantity of the steam made exceeds quantity of water input into the steam generator since the steam includes vaporized water resulting from combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen mixed with the water inputted and heated. Steam-methane-reforming or autothermal-reforming produces the hydrogen stripped of the CO2 prior to introduction into the steam generator. Further, an air separation unit supplies the oxygen to the steam generator.