Abstract: Oxygen is injected into a petroleum bearing subsurface formation penetrated by production well and the petroleum in the formation is subjected to in-situ combustion to heat the formation in a zone surrounding the production well. After heating by the in-situ combustion, heated hydrogen is injected into the heated formation zone by way of the production well. By way of another well penetrating the petroleum bearing subsurface formation and spaced from the production well, fluid is injected into the formation to drive petroleum in the formation between the two wells to the production well for recovery. Hydrogenation of the petroleum occurs in the heated zone in the presence of hydrogen therein.

Abstract: In a method of recovering petroleum from underground formations penetrated by a production well, superheated steam and then hot hydrogen are injected by way of the well into a preheated formation zone next to the well. The hydrogen is injected under sufficient pressure to cause hydrogenation of the petroleum in the heated zone. The well is shut in and the hydrogen in the heated zone is allowed to "soak" for a period of time after which the pressure in the well is lowered and petroleum is recovered from the heated zone by way of the well. The cycle can be repeated a number of times.By way of another well spaced from the production well, fluid under pressure is injected into said formations to drive petroleum in said formations between the two wells to the production well for recovery. Hydrogenation of the petroleum occurs as it is driven through the heated zone in the presence of the hydrogen therein.

Abstract: A system and method provides for burning wood particles or other combustible fibrous particles at a continuous high rate in which the particles are at least partially pyrolyzed as they are being fed into a combustion chamber, complete combustion of the particles and pyrolysis products occuring within the combustion chamber. Pyrolysis is enabled by mixing the particles with air having a temperature of at least 600.degree. F. The system enables the burning of green wood in existing large boiler systems as well as in gas turbine systems; the latter operatable with a high pressure combustion chamber. In a boiler system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by the boiler, in a turbine system, air for pyrolysis of the particles may be heated by a compressor driven by a turbine.

Abstract: A borehole water pump having an inflatable packer to permit the borehole casing to be used as the water conduit to the surface. The pump may be operated by a line shaft extending from the surface or by a downhole electric or hydraulic motor. In another embodiment the system utilizes a column pipe with outlet apertures formed through the wall thereof above the packer for allowing flow to the surface by way of the column pipe and the annulus between the column pipe and the borehole wall.

Abstract: A heating and/or cooling system comprising a windmill for driving a first refrigerant compressor in parallel with a second refrigerant compressor driven by an electric motor or other power means. The second compressor operates the system when the wind velocity is low. When the wind velocity becomes high enough, the refrigerant pressure created by the wind driven compressor, is used to automatically shut off power to the second compressor. The wind driven compressor then takes over the function of the second compressor.

Abstract: A multistage gas generator for use in a borehole for recovering hydrocarbons from the subsurface formations. The gas generator has an upper end and a lower restricted outlet. A pilot stage is located at the upper end and a plurality of spaced apart intermediate stages are located between the pilot stage and the lower restricted outlet. Hydrogen and oxygen are fed to the pilot stage for ignition. Oxygen is fed to a first intermediate stage and hydrogen and oxygen are fed to each of the other intermediate stages for injection into the gas generator. Excess hydrogen from the pilot stage is burned in the zone of the first intermediate stage and hydrogen and oxygen of each succeeding stage is ignited by the preceeding stage. Water for cooling purposes also is fed to each intermediate stage. Downhole valves selectively controllable from the surface are provided for the pilot stage and each of the intermediate stages.

Abstract: A fluid driven power system is located in a borehole for driving a downhole pump for pumping water to the surface. An uphole pump driven by a windmill is provided for pumping fluid from a storage system downhole for operating the fluid driven power system. An energy storage system is provided for operating the downhole fluid driven power system when the wind velocity is low. The energy storage system comprises a fluid accumulator which is pressurized by fluid from the uphole pump during low velocity wind. As the pressure in the accumulator builds up to a certain level, fluid from the accumulator is released to operate the downhole fluid driven power system.

Abstract: A gas generator for use in a borehole for generating steam and other hot gases for use in recovering hydrocarbons or other fluids from underground formations. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. A second zone is located downstream of the combustion zone and a gas and water mixing zone is located between the second zone and the restricted outlet. The generator has a cooling annulus surrounding the chamber with passages leading from the annulus to the gas and water mixing zones. Methane is burned in the combustion zone with just enough oxygen to maintain the flame temperature below the decomposition temperature of methane to convert substantially all of the carbon to carbon monoxide and to form hydrogen. In the second zone, the carbon monoxide and hydrogen are burned with an additional supply of oxygen to increase the temperature and to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A windmill drives a fluid pump which operates a hydraulic motor. In one embodiment, the mechanical output of the hydraulic motor operates a heat pump employed for heating and/or cooling purposes. In another embodiment, the fluid discharge from the hydraulic motor is recirculated through a fluid reservoir. The heat of the fluid in the reservoir, resulting from the inefficiency of the pump and the hydraulic motor, is employed for heating purposes.

Abstract: A gas generator for use in a borehole for generating steam and other hot gases for use in recovering hydrocarbons or other fluids from underground formations. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. A second zone is located downstream of the combustion zone and a gas and water mixing zone is located between the second zone and the restricted outlet. The generator has a cooling annulus surrounding the chamber with passages leading from the annulus to the gas and water mixing zone. Methane is burned in the combustion zone with just enough oxygen to maintain the flame temperature below the decomposition temperature of methane to convert substantially all of the carbon to carbon monoxide and to form hydrogen. In the second zone, the carbon monoxide and hydrogen are burned with an additional supply of oxygen to increase the temperature and to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A recovery process and system wherein hydrogen and oxygen are introduced into a vented pressure vessel, known as a gas generator, located at the bottom of a borehole, and ignited and burned to produce steam. The hydrogen and oxygen may be introduced either as a stoichiometric mixture or the combustible mixture may be hydrogen-rich. Remotely controlled valves are located downhole near the gas generator for positive control of the hydrogen and oxygen. Provision is made for maintaining the desired hydrogen-oxygen ratio either by a hydrogen flow control slaved to a downhole thermocouple or by a special hydrogen-oxygen flow control employed in the event that ignition is carried out by a DC power supply located downhole. Although the preferred embodiment employs a fuel-oxidizer combination of hydrogen and oxygen, provision is made for employing other fuel-oxidizer combinations.

Abstract: A process of igniting a downhole generator having a fuel conduit and an oxidizing fluid conduit extending from the surface to the generator for supplying a fuel and an oxidizer to its chamber. Coupled to the two conduits near the generator are two solenoid control valves which are controlled from the surface. In carrying out the process, the valves are closed and a slug of hypergolic fuel is injected into the fuel conduit and an oxidizing fluid injected into the oxidizing fluid conduit. A generator fuel is injected into the fuel conduit behind the hypergolic fuel. The two valves are opened to allow the hypergolic fuel and oxidizer to pass into the chamber to cause spontaneous ignition of the hypergolic fuel to ignite the generator fuel and an oxidizer which follow.

Abstract: A process and system for insitu hydrogenation employing a gas generator in a borehole for burning a hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied downhole to the generator to form a hydrogen-rich combustible mixture in the combustion zone which is burned whereby hydrogen and steam are injected from the restricted outlet. The flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the generator is controlled to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gases at a level sufficient to crack the hydrocarbons in the formation into lighter segments for reaction with the excess hot hydrogen to form lighter and less viscous end products which are recovered from a production well.

Abstract: A partial oxidation process and system for burning crude oil with just enough oxygen in a gas generator to convert all of the carbon to carbon monoxide to form carbon monoxide and free hydrogen. Water or steam is added and the gas water reaction carried out over an iron base catalyst to produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen. Atomizing means is provided for atomizing the oil with steam for injection into the gas generator. In hydrocarbon recovery operations, the carbon dioxide and hydrogen are passed through a turbine for cooling while performing work. The gases from the turbine are passed through a first cooler; compressed by a compressor; and then applied to a second cooler which liquifies the carbon dioxide for separation from the hydrogen. The hydrogen is then conveyed to a downhole gas generator.

Abstract: A process and system for insitu hydrogenation employing a gas generator in a borehole for burning a hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. A cooling annulus surrounds the chamber with passages leading from the annulus to the chamber. Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied downhole to the generator to form a hydrogen-rich combustible mixture in the combustion zone which is burned whereby hydrogen and steam are injected from the restricted outlet. Hydrogen also is supplied to the cooling annulus. The flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the generator is controlled to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gases at a level sufficient to crack the hydrocarbons in the formations into lighter segments for reaction with the excess hot hydrogen to form lighter and less viscous end products which are recovered from a production well.

Abstract: The specification discloses a recovery process and system wherein hydrogen and oxygen are introduced into a vented pressure vessel, known as a gas generator, located at the bottom of a borehole, and ignited and burned to produce steam. The hydrogen and oxygen may be introduced either as a stoichiometric mixture or the combustible mixture may be hydrogen-rich. The gas generator comprises a cooling annulus surrounding a combustion and mixing zone for cooling the gas generator and the combustion products. Hydrogen or water may be supplied to the cooling annulus for cooling purposes. Remotely controlled valves are located downhole near the gas generator for positive control to the gas generator of the hydrogen and oxygen and of the water, if it is employed for cooling purposes. The well casing is sealed just above the gas generator by an inflatable packer.