Apparatus, methods, and systems for extracting petroleum using a portable coal reformer
US7654330B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/00
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus, methods, and systems for extracting oil or natural gas from a well using a portable coal reformer. In one example, the method may include reforming coal by reaction with water to generate driver gas (comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas), and injecting the driver gas into the well. The driver gas reduces the viscosity and pressurizes the oil to help extract the oil from the oil well. The coal reforming operation may include combusting coal or other combustible material with ambient oxygen to release energy, and heating coal and water with the energy released to a temperature above that required for the coal reforming reaction to proceed, thereby reforming coal and water into driver gas. The driver gas may be purified by filtering out particles and sulfur before injecting into the well. A portion of the hydrogen gas may be separated from the driver gas and used to generate electrical power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.