Abstract: A steam generator apparatus for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubing circuit in communication with an inlet for receiving the feedwater stream, the tubing circuit having a substantially unrifled bore defined by a metal wall, and a heat source operable to deliver a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit, the heat flux being operable to cause evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit and to produce an outlet stream at an outlet of the tubing circuit, the outlet stream includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass, the steam portion providing sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature associated with safe operation of the steam generator apparatus.

Abstract: A steam generator apparatus for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubing circuit in communication with an inlet for receiving the feedwater stream, the tubing circuit having a substantially unrifled bore defined by a metal wall, and a heat source operable to deliver a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit, the heat flux being operable to cause evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit and to produce an outlet stream at an outlet of the tubing circuit, the outlet stream includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass, the steam portion providing sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature associated with safe operation of the steam generator apparatus.

Abstract: A method for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The method involves receiving the feedwater inlet stream at an inlet of a steam generator and causing the feedwater stream to flow through a tubing circuit to an outlet of the tubing circuit, the tubing circuit having a substantially un-rifled bore defined by a metal wall. The method also involves delivering a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit to generate steam by causing evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit, and controlling at least one of a flow rate of the feedwater stream and the heat flux to cause generation of an outlet stream at the outlet includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass. The steam portion provides sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conveying a flow of oil-containing liquid into an oil separation skim tank, and a skim tank incorporating such apparatus and methods, are disclosed. One such apparatus includes at least one diffuser, the diffuser defining an intake opening configured to receive the flow of oil-containing liquid and an exhaust opening configured to convey the flow of oil-containing liquid into the skim tank. The diffuser is configured to cause the flow of oil-containing liquid to have a greater horizontal width at the exhaust opening than at the intake opening, while minimizing vertical divergence of the flow at the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A system for descaling a heat exchanger utilized in a produced water system of a steam-based thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation is provided. The system comprises a heat exchanger for acting on a produced water; a steam separator in fluid communication with a steam generator for separating steam of a steam quality suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon reservoir and blowdown of a lower steam quality, the blowdown being caustic; and a blowdown loop in fluid communication with the steam separator for collecting the caustic blowdown, the blowdown loop also in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for directing the caustic blowdown through the heat exchanger for descaling the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The method involves receiving the feedwater inlet stream at an inlet of a steam generator and causing the feedwater stream to flow through a tubing circuit to an outlet of the tubing circuit, the tubing circuit having a substantially un-rifled bore defined by a metal wall. The method also involves delivering a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit to generate steam by causing evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit, and controlling at least one of a flow rate of the feedwater stream and the heat flux to cause generation of an outlet stream at the outlet includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass. The steam portion provides sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conveying a flow of oil-containing liquid into an oil separation skim tank, and a skim tank incorporating such apparatus and methods, are disclosed. One such apparatus includes at least one diffuser, the diffuser defining an intake opening configured to receive the flow of oil-containing liquid and an exhaust opening configured to convey the flow of oil-containing liquid into the skim tank. The diffuser is configured to cause the flow of oil-containing liquid to have a greater horizontal width at the exhaust opening than at the intake opening, while minimizing vertical divergence of the flow at the exhaust opening.