Abstract: A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting air into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, withdrawing combustion products from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and collecting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling exhaust gas emissions including platinum, wherein exhaust gas is brought into contact with an emissions control catalyst and the oxygen content of the exhaust gas is controlled in order to maintain fuel rich stoichiometry close to the stoichiometric value.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor includes a housing having a plate positioned therein defining a first zone and a second zone, and a plurality of conduits fabricated from a heat conducting material and adapted for conducting a fluid therethrough. The conduits are positioned within the housing such that the conduit exterior surfaces and the housing interior surface within the second zone define a first flow path while the conduit interior surfaces define a second flow path through the second zone and not in fluid communication with the first flow path. The conduit exits define a second flow path exit, the conduit exits and the first flow path exit being proximately located and interspersed. The conduits define at least one expanded section that contacts adjacent conduits thereby spacing the conduits within the second zone and forming first flow path exit flow orifices having an aggregate exit area greater than a defined percent of the housing exit plane area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for low NOx combustion of high hydrogen content fuels in gas turbines. In the method of the present invention, at least a portion of the fuel is combusted under fuel rich conditions and a portion of resulting reaction heat is transferred to combustion air prior to non-premixed combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A method for generating a heated product stream downhole is provided wherein a fuel rich mixture is reacted downhole by contact with a catalyst to produce a partially reacted product stream, the fuel rich mixture comprising fuel and oxygen. The partially reacted product stream is brought into contact with an oxidant thereby igniting combustion upon contact producing a combustion product stream. The combustion product stream may be cooled by injecting a diluent flow such as water or CO2. The cooled combustion product stream may be into an oil bearing strata in order to reduce the energy requirements for the production of heavy oil.

Abstract: A method of creating a swirling flow of fuel-lean premixed fuel and air without passage of the flow through swirler vanes is taught. A supply of fuel is mixed with a sufficient quantity of air to form a fuel-lean mixture. The mixture is passed tangentially into an annular flow passage creating a spiraling flow without bulk flow recirculation. The spiraling flow of fuel and air is passed into a combustion chamber. Reacting a fuel-rich mixture of fuel with air in the presence of a catalyst to produce heat and a reaction product may form the supply of fuel. The reaction product is mixed with air to form the fuel-lean fuel-air mixture and then the mixture is passed into an annular chamber in a direction nominally perpendicular to the chamber axis of rotation, thereby creating a flow rotating about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method is provided for expanding a non-swirling gaseous flow exiting a conduit into a larger chamber. The flow conduit exhibits a curved flare exiting into the chamber and a gaseous flow is passed through the conduit along with a separate pilot flow centrally located within the conduit. The pilot flow is expanded by heating thus forcing the gaseous flow outward along the flared exit.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of upgraded oil from an oil-bearing formation is provided wherein a hot gas phase fluid comprising steam is brought into contact with a heavy oil reservoir, such as by injection, and the hot fluid heats at least a portion of the reservoir to a temperature high enough for steam cracking, and subsequently the steam is reacted with the heavy oil to produce steam cracked lighter oil.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ. An oxidizer fluid and a supply of fuel, both at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit, are supplied and delivered to the methane hydrate deposit. The fuel is combusted downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide combustion products. The combustion products are placed in contact with a diluent fluid to produce a heated product fluid. The heated product fluid is injected into the methane hydrate deposit whereby methane is dissociated from the methane hydrate and made available for extraction. In addition, carbon dioxide may be made available to promote the formation of carbon dioxide hydrates from the liberated methane hydrate water.

Abstract: A method for isobutane alkylation is provided using a fixed-bed catalytic alkylation reactor comprises at least one catalytic flow channel. A feed stream comprising a compound to be alkylated is passed into a flow channel having an alkylation catalyst positioned on at least a portion of the flow channel inner surface in the flow channel downstream region. Olefin is injected into the feed stream at a point beyond a flow channel entrance region whereby the olefin contacts the alkylation catalyst by diffusion to the flow channel inner surface thereby reacting the compound with the olefin and produces an alkylate product.

Abstract: A method for isobutane alkylation is provided wherein a fixed-bed catalytic alkylation reactor comprises at least one catalytic flow channel. A feed stream comprising a compound to be alkylated admixed with a minor amount of an olefin is introduced into the flow channel wherein the flow channel is of sufficiently long configuration to have a mass-transfer-limiting boundary layer. The feed stream is contacted with a catalyst positioned on an inner surface of the flow channel thereby reacting the compound with the olefinto produce an alkylate product.

Abstract: A new concept for enhancing the mobility of crude oils is provided which enables efficient and effective recovery of heavy oils not presently accessible using existing techniques while concurrently yielding upgraded oils from the extracted heavy oils. The heavy oil that remains inaccessible after primary and secondary recovery operations, and the significant amounts of heavy oils that reside at depths below those accessible with conventional steam flooding operations, are made accessible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for flame stabilization immediately downstream of a plurality of discrete fuel and air streams, prior to the mixing of the fuel and air, thereby preventing auto-ignition and flashback events. Coplanar and interspersed discrete fuel and air streams are introduced into a multiple channel monolith that imparts a swirl to the fuel and air streams, promotes immediate mixing, and initiates recirculation of the fuel and air mixture in a downstream combustion zone while promoting micro-scale vortex breakdown.

Abstract: The present invention is a retainer for use in a catalytic reactor that can retain and buttress an element subjected to forces applied substantially in one direction. The retainer defines a bearing surface for buttressing the element having a fluid flowing therethrough. The retainer is comprised of a plurality of members that if given the proper aspect ratio can condition the flow of a fluid through the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ. An oxidizer fluid and a supply of fuel, both at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit, are supplied and delivered to the methane hydrate deposit. The fuel is combusted downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide combustion products. The combustion products are placed in contact with a diluent fluid to produce a heated product fluid. The heated product fluid is injected into the methane hydrate deposit whereby methane is dissociated from the methane hydrate and made available for extraction. In addition, carbon dioxide may be made available to promote the formation of carbon dioxide hydrates from the liberated methane hydrate water.