Abstract

The invention concerns a method for generating steam. This method consists, inter alia, of (A) conveying the supply water into the liquid phase of an instant expansion tank ("RF") (B) in the instant expansion tank ("RF"), heating the supply water by mixing same with the current recycled in step (E) below; (C) recompressing (1), at high pressure, the liquid fraction in said instant expansion tank and feeding same to the inlet of a heat exchanger ("E") or a group of heat exchangers mounted in series; (D) heating the non-expanded fraction in the heat exchanger(s), keeping same in the liquid phase; (E) recycling (4) the current originating in step (D) in said instant expansion tank (F) in said instant expansion tank ("RF"), expanding the fraction from step (E) and generating, by instant expansion, a current of the desired water vapour (5) containing the mineral materials of the supply water that have remained in solution and (G) separating the solid particles formed in the form of a purge (6) formed from water and said particles.

IPC Classes  ?

• F22B 3/04 - Other methods of steam generationSteam boilers not provided for in other groups of this subclass by drop in pressure of high-pressure hot water within pressure-reducing chambers, e.g. in accumulators
• B01D 21/00 - Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
• E21B 43/24 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
• F22B 37/48 - Devices or arrangements for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers
• F22B 37/54 - De-sludging or blow-down devices

Abstract

This process consists in (a) compressing the feed water to a low pressure; (b) filtering the feed water; (c) compressing the stream of filtered water to a medium pressure; (d) introducing said stream of filtered water, compressed to medium pressure, into the liquid phase of an instantaneous expansion tank; (e) in the tank, reheating said stream from step (d) by mixing with the recycled stream (h); (f) recompressing the liquid fraction in said tank to a high pressure and sending it to the inlet of a heat exchanger; (g) heating the liquid fraction in the exchanger while keeping it in the liquid state; (h) recycling the fraction originating from step (g) to said tank; and (i) expanding the stream from step (h) in said expansion tank, generating the desired steam by instantaneous expansion; and (j) separating the solid particles formed in the form of a second purge formed of water and said particles.

IPC Classes  ?

• F22B 3/04 - Other methods of steam generationSteam boilers not provided for in other groups of this subclass by drop in pressure of high-pressure hot water within pressure-reducing chambers, e.g. in accumulators
• B01D 21/00 - Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
• C02F 9/00 - Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• E21B 43/24 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
• F22B 37/48 - Devices or arrangements for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers
• F22B 37/54 - De-sludging or blow-down devices
• B01D 1/28 - Evaporating with vapour compression
• B01D 3/06 - Flash distillation
• B01D 19/00 - Degasification of liquids
• C02F 1/00 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
• C02F 1/04 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation
• C02F 1/06 - Flash evaporation
• C02F 1/20 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases
• C02F 101/32 - Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil