Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02706598 2010-10-21
SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING
AN ELECTRIC GLOW DISCHARGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of processing oil shale and
more
specifically to carbonizing oil shale with electrochemical plasma. The present
invention
can be applied to both surface methods and equipment as well as applied within
an oil
shale formation for in situ plasma electrolysis. The present invention also
includes a
novel plasma electrolysis well screen. In addition, the present invention
relates to a
plasma electrolysis method for fracturing wells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many problems associated with the production of oil and gas
resources. For example, it is very common for oil production wells to reach
the end of
their life, while there is still a substantial amount of oil in place (0IP)
within the
formation. Engineers may then to decide whether to shut in the well or
stimulate the well
using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods ranging from water flooding to steam
flooding to injection of carbon dioxide and injection of solvents.
[0003] Likewise, even during peak production of a well, a well may have to be
shut in
due to paraffin plugging the production tubing. This can cause several
problems ranging
from reduced production to parting or breaking of the sucker rod connected to
the surface
pump jack.
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[0005] Another problem associated with most oil and gas wells is produced
water.
When the water reaches the surface it is separated from the oil or gas and
then must be
treated prior to final disposition.
[0006] Recently, primarily due to high crude oil prices many exploration
companies
are turning to unconventional heavy oil resources (API < 22) such as oil sand
bitumen, oil
shale kerogen as well as heavy oil itself. Canada contains the largest known
oil sand
reserves estimated at over 1 trillion recoverable barrels of bitumen.
Likewise, the largest
known unconventional petroleum or hydrocarbon resource can be found in the
Green
River Formation in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Worldwide oil shale reserves
are
estimated around 2.9-3.3 trillion barrels of shale oil while the Green River
Formation
reserves alone are estimated to contain between 1.5-2.6 trillion barrels.
[0007] However, emerging issues with respect to the renewed interest in oil
shale
development range from water resources, to green house gas emissions to basic
infrastructure needs. Likewise, the Canadian oil sands has its own problems
ranging from
very large tailings ponds to a lack of upgrading capacity for the bitumen
recovered from
the oil sands. In addition, the steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process
utilizes
copious amounts of energy to produce steam. Two problems associated with
producing
steam are first the source of water and removing its contaminants that may be
deposited
upon boiler tube walls and second recovering the latent heat within the steam
when
injected downhole.
[0008] Likewise, there are many proponents suggesting CO2 injection as means
for
recovering heavy oil, oil sand and oil shale. As recently as April 4, 2007
Schlumberger's
scientific advisor on CO2, T. S. (Rama) Ramakrishnan has stated, "The research
for
efficient heavy oil recovery is still wide open. Steam flooding is the tried
and trusted
method, but we need to move forward. Having said that, I do not think advances
will
come about by refining current practices or expanding an existing research
pilot ¨ we
need a step-change vis-à-vis enhancing heavy oil recovery. Oil at $60/bbl
should be
enough to provide the impetus."
[0009] Shell Oil Company has been demonstrating its freeze-wall and in situ
conversion process (ICP) for recovering kerogen from the Green River Formation
located
in Colorado's Piceance Basin. Although Shell has patented various aspects of
the
process, two of the impediments to large volume production of oil shale using
ICP are the
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CA 02706598 2010-10-21
type of downhole heater and the formation's constituents. U.S. Patent No.
7,086,468
provides detailed descriptions of the various prior art aboveground and in
situ methods of
retorting oil shale, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
Moreover, updated information regarding aboveground and in situ methods of
retorting
oil shale in the Green River Formation are described in "Converting Green
River oil shale
to liquid fuels with Alberta Taciuk Processor: energy inputs and greenhouse
gas
emissions" by Adam R Brandt (June 1, 2007) and "Converting Green River oil
shale to
liquid fuels with the Shell in-situ conversion process: energy inputs and
greenhouse gas
emissions" by Adam R Brandt (June 30, 2007), both of which are available at
http://abrandt.berkeley.edu/shale/shale.html.
[0010] What is unique about the Green River Formation oil shale is that it has
a high
content of Nahcolite. Nahcolite is commonly referred to as baking soda which
is sodium
bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Another active player in oil shale development,
ExxonMobil, has
developed an in situ conversion process for oil shale that is rich in
Nahcolite. The
process incorporates recovering kerogen while converting sodium bicarbonate or
Nahcolite to sodium carbonate. ExxonMobil claims that the pyrolysis of the oil
shale
should enhance leaching and removal of sodium carbonate during solution
mining.
[0011] Now, returning back to Shell's ICP for oil shale, the two largest
problems to
overcome are that baking soda can be used as a heating insulator and that oil
shale is not
very permeable. Thus using conventional heat transfer methods such as
conduction and
convection require a long period of time in addition to drilling many wells
and
incorporating many heaters close to one another.
[0012] Although in situ processes are rapidly developing for both oil
shale and oil
sands, surface processing is currently the leader for oil sands. Retorting of
oil shale has
been around since the early 1970's. Recently, retorting has been applied to
oil sands.
Once again the major problem with retorting either oil sand or oil shale is
that the
minerals and metals act to retard heat transfer. However, the single largest
difference
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between oil shale and oil sand is that sodium carbonate is a known
electrolyte. Likewise,
oil sand contains electrolytes in the form of other salts.
[0013] While melting oil shale in a carbon crucible the inventor of the
present
invention has recently unexpectedly discovered a method for carbonizing oil
shale with
plasma electrolysis while simultaneously separating solids, liquids and gases.
The
process is based upon using the same mineral that is widespread in the Green
River
Formation ¨ Baking Soda.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a device for: (a) carbonizing oil shale
that is
superior to prior methods; (b) carbonizing oil shale in situ; and/or (c)
enhanced oil
recovery utilizing plasma electrolysis. The present invention also provides a
method for:
(a) in situ carbonizing oil shale utilizing plasma electrolysis; (b) heating a
formation
utilizing plasma electrolysis; and/or (d) fracturing wells utilizing plasma
electrolysis.
[0015] More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus for
creating an
electric glow discharge that includes a first electrically conductive screen,
a second
electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators attached to the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, a non-
conductive
granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical terminal
electrically connected
to the first electrically conductive screen, and a second electrical terminal
electrically
connected to the second electrically conductive screen. The insulator(s)
maintain a
substantially equidistant gap between the first electrically conductive screen
and the
second electrically conductive screen. The non-conductive granular material
(a) does not
pass through either electrically conductive screen, (b) allows an electrically
conductive
fluid to flow between the first electrically conductive screen and the second
electrically
conductive screen, and (c) prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge. The electric glow discharge is
created
whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal is connected to an electrical
power source such
that the first electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second
electrical terminal is
connected to the electrical power supply such that the second electrically
conductive
screen is an anode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into
the gap, or (b)
the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are both
connected to the
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electrical power supply such that both electrically conductive screens are the
cathode, and
the electrically conductive fluid is introduced between both electrically
conductive
screens and an external anode connected to the electrical power supply.
[0016] In addition, the present invention provides a method for creating an
electric
glow discharge by providing an electric glow apparatus, introducing an
electrically
conductive fluid into the gap, and connecting the electrical terminals to an
electrical
power supply such that the first electrically conductive screen is a cathode
and the second
electrically conductive screen is an anode. The electric glow discharge
apparatus
includes a first electrically conductive screen, a second electrically
conductive screen, one
or more insulators attached to the first electrically conductive screen and
the second
electrically conductive screen, a non-conductive granular material disposed
within the
gap, a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first
electrically conductive
screen, and a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second
electrically
conductive screen. The insulator(s) maintain a substantially equidistant gap
between the
first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive
screen. The
non-conductive granular material (a) does not pass through either electrically
conductive
screen, (b) allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c)
prevents
electrical arcing between the electrically conductive screens during the
electric glow
discharge. The electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first
electrical
terminal is connected to an electrical power source such that the first
electrically
conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is connected to
the electrical
power supply such that the second electrically conductive screen is an anode,
and the
electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap, or (b) the first
electrical terminal
and the second electrical terminal are both connected to the electrical power
supply such
that both electrically conductive screens are the cathode, and the
electrically conductive
fluid is introduced between both electrically conductive screens and an
external anode
connected to the electrical power supply.
[0017] Moreover, the present invention provides a method for creating an
electric glow
discharge by providing an electric glow apparatus, introducing an electrically
conductive
fluid into the gap, connecting the electrical terminals to an electrical power
supply such
that the both electrically conductive screens are the cathode and the second
electrically
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conductive screen is an anode, and connecting an external anode to the
electrical power
supply. The electric glow discharge apparatus includes a first electrically
conductive
screen, a second electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators
attached to the first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen,
a non-
conductive granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical
terminal
electrically connected to the first electrically conductive screen, and a
second electrical
terminal electrically connected to the second electrically conductive screen.
The
insulator(s) maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen. The non-
conductive
granular material (a) does not pass through either electrically conductive
screen, (b)
allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) prevents
electrical arcing
between the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow
discharge. The
electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal
is connected
to an electrical power source such that the first electrically conductive
screen is a cathode,
the second electrical terminal is connected to the electrical power supply
such that the
second electrically conductive screen is an anode, and the electrically
conductive fluid is
introduced into the gap, or (b) the first electrical terminal and the second
electrical
terminal are both connected to the electrical power supply such that both
electrically
conductive screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is
introduced
between both electrically conductive screens and an external anode connected
to the
electrical power supply..
[0018] The present invention also provides a system for creating an electric
glow
discharge that includes a power supply, a first electrically conductive
screen, a second
electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators attached to the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, a non-
conductive
granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical terminal
electrically connected
to the first electrically conductive screen, and a second electrical terminal
electrically
connected to the second electrically conductive screen. The insulator(s)
maintain a
substantially equidistant gap between the first electrically conductive screen
and the
second electrically conductive screen. The non-conductive granular material
(a) does not
pass through either electrically conductive screen, (b) allows an electrically
conductive
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CA 02706598 2012-08-21
fluid to flow between the first electrically conductive screen and the second
electrically
conductive screen, and (c) prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge. The electric glow discharge is
created
whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal is connected to an electrical
power source such
that the first electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second
electrical terminal is
connected to the electrical power supply such that the second electrically
conductive
screen is an anode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into
the gap, or (b)
the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are both
connected to the
electrical power supply such that both electrically conductive screens are the
cathode, and
to the electrically conductive fluid is introduced between both
electrically conductive
screens and an external anode connected to the electrical power supply.
[0018.1] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an
apparatus for creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein
the first
insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the
a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein the
second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant gap, wherein, (a) the non-conductive granular material does not
pass through
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granular material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents electrical
arcing between
the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen; and
wherein: (1) the electric glow discharge is created whenever (a)(i) the first
electrical terminal is connected to a DC electrical power supply such that the
first
electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is
connected to
the DC electrical power supply such that the second electrically conductive
screen is an
anode, or (b) (ii) the first electrical terminal and the second electrical
terminal are both
connected to the DC electrical power supply such that both electrically
conductive screens
are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is electrically
connected to an external
anode connected to the DC electrical power supply; and (b) the electrically
conductive fluid
is introduced between the external anode and at least one of the electrically
conductive
screens, and (2) the cathode heats up during the electric glow discharge.
[0018.2] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
method for creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
providing an electric glow discharge apparatus comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second
end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second
end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein
the
first insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen
and
seals the substantially equidistant gap at the first end of the first and
second
electrically conductive screens;
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a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive
screen,
wherein the second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap
between
the first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically
conductive
screen and seals the substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the
first and
second electrically conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material is prevented
from passing through either electrically conductive screen; (b) the non-
conductive
granular material allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between and
contact the first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically
conductive screen; and (c) the combination of the non-conductive granular
material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing
between
the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second
electrically conductive screen;
introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the substantially
equidistant gap
by passing the electrically conductive fluid through the first electrically
conductive screen
or the second electrically conductive screen; and
connecting the electrical terminals to a DC electrical power supply such that
the
first electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrically
conductive screen
is an anode, and the cathode heats up during the electric glow discharge.
[0018.3] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
method for creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second
end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein
the
first insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen
and
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CA 02706598 2012-08-21
seals the substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the first and
second electrically
conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant
gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material is prevented from
passing through
either electrically conductive screen, (b) he non-conductive granular material
allows an
electrically conductive fluid to flow between and contact the first
electrically conductive
screen and the second electrically conductive screen; and (c) the combination
of the non-
conductive granular material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents
electrical
arcing between the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow
discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive
screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen;
introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the substantially
equidistant gap
by passing the electrically conductive fluid through the first electrically
conductive screen
or the second electrically conductive screen;
connecting the electrical terminals to a DC electrical power supply such that
the
both electrically conductive screens are the cathode; and
connecting an external anode to the DC electrical power supply wherein the
external anode is electrically connected to the electrically conductive fluid.
[0018.4]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a
system for creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive screen
and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein the
first insulator
maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first electrically
conductive screen
and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the substantially
equidistant gap at
the first end of the first and second electrically conductive screens;
connecting the electrical terminals to a DC electrical power supply such that
the
both electrically conductive screens are the cathode; and
connecting an external anode to the DC electrical power supply wherein the
external anode is electrically connected to the electrically conductive fluid.
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a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein the
second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the
substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the first and second
electrically
conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant
gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material does not pass through
either
electrically conductive screen; (b) the non-conductive granular material
allows an
electrically conductive fluid to flow between and contact the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen; and (c) the
combination of the non-conductive granular material and the electrically
conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen;
a DC electrical power supply;
wherein (1) the electric glow discharge is created whenever (a)(i) the first
electrical terminal is connected to a DC electrical power supply such that the
first
electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is
connected to
the DC electrical power supply such that the second electrically conductive
screen is an
anode; or (ii) the first electrical terminal and the second electrical
terminal are both
connected to the DC electrical power supply such that both electrically
conductive
screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is electrically
connected to
an external anode connected to the DC electrical power supply; and( b) the
electrically
conductive fluid is introduced between the external anode and at least one of
the
electrically conductive screens, and (2) the cathode heats up during the
electric glow
discharge.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
apparatus for
creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
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a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive screen
and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein the
first
insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the
substantially equidistant gap at the first end of the first and second
electrically conductive
screens;
a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein the
second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the
substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the first and second
electrically
conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant
gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material does not pass through
either
electrically conductive screen, (b) the non-conductive granular material
allows an
electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first electrically
conductive screen and
the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) the combination of the non-
conductive
granular material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents electrical
arcing between
the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive
screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen; and
wherein: (1) the electric glow discharge is created whenever (a)(i) the first
electrical
terminal is connected to a DC electrical power supply such that the first
electrically
conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is connected to
the
DC electrical power supply such that the second electrically conductive screen
is an
anode, or (ii) the first electrical terminal and the second electrical
terminal are both
connected to the DC electrical power supply such that both electrically
conductive
screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is electrically
connected to
an external anode connected to the DC electrical power supply, and (b) the
electrically
conductive fluid is introduced between the external anode and at least one of
the
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electrically conductive screens, and (2) the cathode heats up during the
electric
glow discharge.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method for
creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
providing an electric glow discharge apparatus comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second
end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein the first insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap
between the first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically
conductive screen and seals the substantially equidistant gap at the first
end of the first and second electrically conductive screens;
a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive
screen, wherein the second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant
gap between the first electrically conductive screen and the second
electrically conductive screen and seals the substantially equidistant gap at
the second end of the first and second electrically conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material does not
pass through either electrically conductive screen, (b) the non-conductive
granular material allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between
and contact the first electrically conductive screen and the second
electrically conductive screen, and (c) the combination of the non-
conductive granular material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents
electrical arcing between the electrically conductive screens during the
electric glow discharge;
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a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second
electrically conductive screen;
introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the substantially
equidistant gap by
passing the electrically conductive fluid through the first electrically
conductive screen or
the second electrically conductive screen; and
connecting the electrical terminals to a DC electrical power supply such that
the first
electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrically
conductive screen is an
anode, and the cathode heats up during the electric glow discharge.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method for
creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
providing an electric glow discharge apparatus comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second
end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein the first insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap
between the first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically
conductive screen and seals the substantially equidistant gap at the first
end of the first and second electrically conductive screens;
a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein
the second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the
first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen
and
seals the substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the first and
second
electrically conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant
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gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material does not pass through
either
electrically conductive screen, (b) the non-conductive granular material
allows an
electrically conductive fluid to flow between and contact the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) the
combination of the non-conductive granular material and the electrically
conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive
screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen;
introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the substantially
equidistant gap by
passing the electrically conductive fluid through the first electrically
conductive screen or
the second electrically conductive screen;
connecting the electrical terminals to a DC electrical power supply such that
the both
electrically conductive screens are the cathode; and
connecting an external anode to the DC electrical power supply wherein the
external
anode is electrically connected to the electrically conductive fluid.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system for
creating an electric glow discharge comprising:
a first electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a second electrically conductive screen having a first end and a second end;
a first insulator attached to the first end of the first electrically
conductive screen
and the first end of the second electrically conductive screen, wherein the
first
insulator maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen and seals the
substantially equidistant gap at the first end of the first and second
electrically
conductive screens;
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a second insulator attached to the second end of the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second end of the second electrically conductive screen,
wherein
the second insulator maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the
first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen
and
seals the substantially equidistant gap at the second end of the first and
second
electrically conductive screens;
a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially
equidistant
gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material does not pass through
either
electrically conductive screen, (b) the non-conductive granular material
allows an
electrically conductive fluid to flow between and contact the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) the
combination of the non-conductive granular material and the electrically
conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge;
a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first electrically
conductive
screen;
a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second electrically
conductive screen;
a DC electrical power supply;
wherein: (1) the electric glow discharge is created whenever (a)(i) the first
electrical terminal is connected to a DC electrical power supply such that the
first
electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is
connected to
the DC electrical power supply such that the second electrically conductive
screen is an
anode, or (ii) the first electrical terminal and the second electrical
terminal are both
connected to the DC electrical power supply such that both electrically
conductive
screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is electrically
connected to
an external anode connected to the DC electrical power supply, and (b) the
electrically
conductive fluid is introduced between the external anode and at least one of
the
electrically conductive screens, and (2) the cathode heats up during the
electric glow
discharge.
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CA 02706598 2013-07-04
[0019] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to
the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and further advantages of the invention may be better
understood by
referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the ArcWhirlTM Melter Crucible in
accordance
with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ArcWhirlTm Melter Crucible carbonizing
oil
shale with plasma electrolysis in accordance with on embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
showing a plasma electrolysis well screen in accordance with on embodiment of
the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of a Hi-TemperTm Filter with non-conductive
media
in accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
showing a toe to heal Oil Shale Carbonizing with Plasma Electrolysis in
accordance with
on embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
showing horizontal wells for In Situ Oil Shale Carbonizing with Plasma
Electrolysis in
accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a Insitu PAGDTM with ArcWhirlTM in
accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a Hi-TemperTm Well Screen Heater Treater
in
= accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a Plasma Electrolysis Inline Flange
ScreenTM in
accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a Plasma Electrolysis Stripper ColumnTM
in
accordance with on embodiment of the present invention;
= FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a Surface and Subsea Plasma
Electrolysis
Methane Hydrate BusterTM in accordance with on embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a Plasma Electrolysis Well ScreenTM or
Filter
Screen in accordance with on embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present
invention
are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present
invention provides
many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of
specific
contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of
specific
ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the
invention.
[0022] It will be understood that the terms plasma electrolysis, glow
discharge, glow
discharge plasma and electrochemical plasma will be used interchangeably
throughout
this disclosure. Likewise, it will be understood that plasma electrolysis is
substantially
different and clearly differentiated within the art from traditional
electrolysis or simple
electrochemical reactions commonly referred to as REDOX (reduction oxidation)
reactions. In plasma electrolysis a "plasma" is formed and maintained around
the cathode
which is surrounded by an electrolyte thus allowing for high temperature
reactions such
as gasification, cracking, thermolysis and pyrolysis to occur at or near the
plasma
interface. The circuit is thus completed from the cathode through the plasma
and into the
bulk liquid.
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[0023] Turning now to FIG. 1, the inventor of the present invention melted a
virgin
sample of oil shale utilizing a carbon crucible operated in a plasma arc
melting mode.
Later and being very familiar with plasma electrolysis or glow discharge
plasma,
specifically using baking soda as the electrolyte, the inventor of the present
invention,
filled the same crucible with oil shale then mixed baking soda into water then
filled the
crucible with water as shown in FIG. 2.
[0024] The DC power supply was operated at 300 volts DC in order to get the
electrically conductive water and baking soda solution(an ionic liquid or
electrolyte) to
arc over and form a glow discharge irradiating from the negative (-) graphite
electrode.
Within seconds the glow discharge, also commonly referred to as
electrochemical plasma
or plasma electrolysis was formed around the negative (-) cathode graphite
electrode.
[0025] The plasma electrolysis cell was operated for one minute. The cathode
was
extracted from the cell and the carbon was glowing orange hot. The estimated
surface
temperature on the carbon cathode ranged from 1,000 C to over 2,000 C. The
color of
the glow discharge plasma was orange. This is very typical of the emission
spectra of a
high pressure sodium lamp commonly found in street lights. Hence the use of
baking
soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate, which caused the orange plasma glow
discharge.
[0026] The cell was shut down and allowed to cool. Immediately upon removing a
piece of oil shale from the crucible a noticeable color change occurred on the
outside of
the normally grey oil shale. The shale was completely black. All the pieces of
shale were
covered in a black coke like substance. What occurred next was completely
unexpected
after crushing a piece of plasma electrolysis treated oil shale. The shale was
internally
carbonized up to 1/2 inch from the surface.
[0027] This simple procedure opens the door to a new process for enhanced
recovery.
of unconventional fossil fuels such as heavy oil, oil sands and oil shale.
Referring again
to FIG. 2 ¨ Carbonizing Oil Shale with Plasma Electrolysis ¨ the present
invention can be
applied to surface processing of oil shale or spent oil shale. Any retort can
be retrofitted
to operate in a plasma electrolysis mode. However, rotary washing screens
commonly
found in the mining industry as well as the agriculture industry can be
retrofitted to
operate in a continuous feed plasma electrolysis mode. The method of the
present
invention can be applied to oil sand also. This is a dramatic departure from
traditional
= high temperature "DRY" retorting methods commonly applied within the oil
shale
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industry. However, the plasma electrolysis method can be applied to the froth
flotation
step commonly employed within the oil sands industry. For the sake of
simplicity, the
remainder of this disclosure will provide a detailed explanation of the
invention as
applied to the carbonization of oil shale with plasma electrolysis.
[0028] As shown in FIGS 3 and 4, the present invention provides an apparatus
for
creating an electric glow discharge that includes a first electrically
conductive screen,
second electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators attached to the
first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen,
a non-
conductive granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical
terminal
electrically connected to the first electrically conductive screen, and a
second electrical
terminal electrically connected to the second electrically conductive screen.
The
insulator(s) maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen. The non-
conductive
granular material (a) does not pass through either electrically conductive
screen, (b)
allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) prevents
electrical arcing
between the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow
discharge. The
electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal
is connected
to an electrical power source such that the first electrically conductive
screen is a cathode,
the second electrical terminal is connected to the electrical power supply
such that the
second electrically conductive screen is an anode, and the electrically
conductive fluid is
introduced into the gap, or (b) the first electrical terminal and the second
electrical
terminal are both connected to the electrical power supply such that both
electrically
conductive screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is
introduced
between both electrically conductive screens and an external anode connected
to the
electrical power supply.
[0029] The non-conductive granular material may include marbles, ceramic
beads,
molecular sieve media, sand, limestone, activated carbon, zeolite, zirconium,
alumina,
rock salt, nut shell or wood chips. The electrically conductive screens can be
flat, tubular,
elliptical, conical or curved. The apparatus can be installed within a
conduit, pipeline,
flow line, stripper column, reactor, a well or a well screen. In addition, the
apparatus can
be protected by a non-conductive rotating sleeve or a non-conductive screen.
The
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electrical power supply can operate in a range from (a) 50 to 500 volts DC, or
(b) 200 to
400 volts DC. The cathode can reach a temperature of (a) at least 500 C, (b)
at least
1000 C, or (c) at least 2000 C during the electric glow discharge. =Note that
once the
electric glow discharge is created, the electric glow discharge is maintained
without the
electrically conductive fluid. The electrically conductive fluid can be water,
produced
water, wastewater or tailings pond water. An electrolyte, such as baking soda,
Nahcolite,
lime, sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate or carbonic acid, can
be added
to the electrically conductive fluid. The apparatus can be used as to heat or
fracture a
subterranean formation containing bitumen, kerogen or petroleum. The
subterranean
formation may contain oil shale or oil sand.
100301 In addition, the present invention provides a method for creating an
electric
glow discharge by providing an electric glow apparatus, introducing an
electrically
conductive fluid into the gap, and connecting the electrical terminals to an
electrical
power supply such that the first electrically conductive screen is a cathode
and the second
electrically conductive screen is an anode. The electric glow discharge
apparatus
includes a first electrically conductive screen, a second electrically
conductive screen, one
or more insulators attached to the first electrically conductive screen and
the second
electrically conductive screen, a non-conductive granular material disposed
within the
gap, a first electrical terminal electrically connected to the first
electrically conductive
screen, and a second electrical terminal electrically connected to the second
electrically
conductive screen. The insulator(s) maintain a substantially equidistant gap
between the
first electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive
screen. The
non-conductive granular material (a) does not pass through either electrically
conductive
screen, (b) allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c)
prevents
electrical arcing between the electrically conductive screens during the
electric glow
discharge. The electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first
electrical
terminal is connected to an electrical power source such that the first
electrically
conductive screen is a cathode, the second electrical terminal is connected to
the electrical
=power supply such that the second electrically conductive screen is an anode,
and the
electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap, or (b) the first
electrical terminal
and the second electrical terminal are both connected to the electrical power
supply such
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that both electrically conductive screens are the cathode, and the
electrically conductive
fluid is introduced between both electrically conductive screens and an
external anode
connected to the electrical power supply.
[0031] Moreover, the present invention provides a method for creating an
electric glow
discharge by providing an electric glow apparatus, introducing an electrically
conductive
fluid into the gap, connecting the electrical terminals to an electrical power
supply such
that the both electrically conductive screens are the cathode and the second
electrically
conductive screen is an anode, and connecting an external anode to the
electrical power
supply. The electric glow discharge apparatus includes a first electrically
conductive
screen, a second electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators
attached to the first
electrically conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen,
a non-
conductive granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical
terminal
electrically connected to the first electrically conductive screen, and a
second electrical
terminal electrically connected to the second electrically conductive screen.
The
insulator(s) maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the first
electrically
conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen. The non-
conductive
granular material (a) does not pass through either electrically conductive
screen, (b)
allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the first electrically
conductive
screen and the second electrically conductive screen, and (c) prevents
electrical arcing
between the electrically conductive screens during the electric glow
discharge. The
electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal
is connected
to an electrical power source such that the first electrically conductive
screen is a cathode,
the second electrical terminal is connected to the electrical power supply
such that the
second electrically conductive screen is an anode, and the electrically
conductive fluid is
introduced into the gap, or (b) the first electrical terminal and the second
electrical
terminal are both connected to the electrical power supply such that both
electrically
conductive screens are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is
introduced
between both electrically conductive screens and an external anode connected
to the
electrical power supply..
[0032] The present invention also provides a system for creating an electric
glow
discharge that includes a power supply, a first electrically conductive
screen, a second
electrically conductive screen, one or more insulators attached to the first
electrically
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conductive screen and the second electrically conductive screen, a non-
conductive
granular material disposed within the gap, a first electrical terminal
electrically connected
to the first electrically conductive screen, and a second electrical terminal
electrically
connected to the second electrically conductive screen. The insulator(s)
maintain a
. 5 substantially equidistant gap between the first electrieally
conductive screen and the
second electrically conductive screen. The non-conductive granular material
(a) does not
pass through either electrically conductive screen, (b) allows an electrically
conductive
fluid to flow between the first electrically conductive screen and the second
electrically
conductive screen, and (c) prevents electrical arcing between the electrically
conductive
screens during the electric glow discharge. The electric glow discharge is
created
whenever: (a) the first electrical terminal is connected to an electrical
power source such
that the first electrically conductive screen is a cathode, the second
electrical terminal is
connected to the electrical power supply such that the second electrically
conductive
screen is an anode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into
the gap, or (b)
the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are both
connected to the
electrical power supply such that both electrically conductive screens are the
cathode, and
the electrically conductive fluid is introduced between both electrically
conductive
screens and an external anode connected to the electrical power supply.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 3 ¨ Toe to Heal Oil Shale Plasma Electrolysis, the
conventional Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) with carbon dioxide (CO2) method can
be
dramatically improved and is virtually a step-change from traditional CO2
flooding. For
example, the vertical injection well may be utilized as the cathode (-) while
the horizontal
production well may be utilized as the anode (+). On the surface a water
source, for
example, produced water, wastewater or tailings pond water is tested for
conductivity in
order to operate in a plasma electrolysis mode at a DC voltage ranging from 50
to 500
volts DC and more specifically between 200 and 400 volts DC. The conductivity
may be
increased by adding an electrolyte selected from Nahcolite (baking soda
commonly found
within oil shale formations), lime, sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, sodium
sulfate or
carbonic acid formed from dissolving CO2 into water.
[0034] In order to complete the electrical circuit between the vertical
injection well and
the horizontal production well, the horizontal well may be drilled such that a
continuous
bore is formed between both the vertical and horizontal wells. This is common
for
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running a pipeline underneath a river or underneath a road. Whether the
vertical well or
horizontal well is utilized as the cathode an important and necessary
disclosure is that the
surface area for the cathode must be maximized in order to carry a sufficient
current
through the electrolyte which of course completes the electrical circuit.
[0035] There are many ways to maximize surface area, however the inventor of
the
present invention will disclose the best mode for maximizing cathode surface
area. The
graphite electrode as shown in FIG. 2 was replaced with a v-shaped wire screen
which is
commonly used as a well screen to prevent sand entrainment. The large surface
area of
the v-shaped wire screen immediately formed a large glow discharge when
submersed
.. into the carbon crucible with water and baking soda.
[0036] This disclosure is unique and unobvious in that it allows every oil and
gas well,
worldwide, to be converted into an in situ upgrader or heater treater.
Referring to FIG. 4,
a 1st well screen is separated from a 2nd well screen via an electrical
insulator. The
electrical insulator may be selected from a high temperature non-electrical
conductive
material such alumina or zirconia or any ceramic or composite material capable
of
withstanding temperatures greater than 500 C. Either the 1st or 2nd screen can
be the
cathode. Of course the other screen would be operated as the anode. In order
to operate
as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) system, the only requirement is that the oil
or gas
must have a sufficient amount of conductivity. And of course most oil and gas
wells
produce water, hence the term produced water which is a highly conductive
solution. The
ionic produced water forms the glow discharge upon the cathode. Heavy paraffin
wax
contained in heavy oil will be upgraded or cracked into smaller molecules.
This provides
two beneficial attributes. First, since the paraffin waxes are no longer
available to plug
the well, hot oil injection may be reduced or completely eliminated. Second,
since the
heavy paraffin waxy hydrocarbons are what make a crude oil heavy, low API,
cracking
the waxes in situ, may lead to in situ upgrading. The higher the API gravity
the easier it
is to pump. Likewise, a high API gravity crude brings in a higher price.
[0037] In addition, it is well known that plasma electrolysis will produce
hydrogen.
Not being bound by theory, it is believed that bound sulfur species within
crude oil may
be converted to hydrogen sulfide when flowed through the Plasma Electrolysis
Well
Screen. The H2S can easily be separated from the crude oil with surface
separation
equipment.
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[0038] The Plasma Electrolysis Well Screen can be utilized to fracture wells.
For
example, since electrolysis generates gases and plasma dramatically increases
the
temperature of the fluid, the production string simply needs to be filled with
an
electrolyte. Next, the well head can be shut in. When the DC power supply is
energized,
a glow discharge will be formed on the cathode. This will increase the
pressure and
temperature of the fluid while generating gases. The pressure will be released
as the
formation is fractured, thus more electrolyte may be added to the production
string. This
process may be very applicable to fracturing horizontal wells as shown in FIG.
5.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 5 ¨ Horizontal Wells for In Situ Oil Shale
Carbonizing with
Plasma Electrolysis, the aforementioned well fracturing method can be utilized
by
installing the Plasma Electrolysis or Glow Discharge Well Screens in both the
upper and
lower horizontal legs. To fracture the oil shale formation both wells are
operated in
independent plasma electrolysis modes in order to fracture the formation. Once
the oil
shale formation is fractured and an electrical circuit can be completed with
an electrolyte
between the upper and lower leg, then one well can be operated as the cathode
while the
other leg can be operated as the anode.
[0040] The oil shale will be carbonized in situ, thus allowing only light
hydrocarbons
and hydrogen to be produced with the electrolyte. Of course it will be
understood that the
electrolyte may be recirculated to minimize water usage. Upon reaching the
surface the
produced water and shale oil may be further treated and separated with an
invention of
the present inventor's referred to as the ArcWhirlTM. Not being bound by
theory, this
process enables carbon sequestration to become a true reality by carbonizing
the oil shale,
thus minimizing the production of hydrocarbons while maximizing the production
of
hydrogen. Also, this process enables the hydrogen economy to become a reality
utilizing
the largest known fossil fuel reserves in the world ¨ oil shale ¨ while
allowing the United
States to become independent from foreign oil imports.
[0041] Different embodiments of the invention described above are also
illustrated in
the FIGS. 7- 12.
[0042] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described
in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
modifications can be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
set forth in
the appended claims.
