Alternate atomizing medium for burning efficiency of emulsion fuels, heavy oils and bitumens

Abstract

A method for augmenting the heat enthalpy of an emulsified alternate fuel. An atomizing medium containing produced solution gas is used to atomize the emulsified fuel and add to the heat content of the emulsified fuel enhancing combustion. Alternate embodiments include the use of other gaseous hydrocarbon material as the atomizing medium either utilized alone or mixed with air or steam.

1 . A method for augmenting heat enthalpy for the burning of emulsified alternate fuel, comprising:
 providing a source of emulsified fuel for burning;   providing an atomizing medium containing waste natural gas or other gaseous hydrocarbon materials;   atomizing said emulsified fuel with said gas; and   burning the atomized emulsified fuel and atomizing gas as a mixture, said mixture containing heat enthalpy from both said emulsified fuel and said gas.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fuel comprises heavy oil, vacuum residues, asphaltenes, bitumen, biomass and coal pitch tar. 
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said emulsified fuel comprises MSAR™. 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said atomizing medium contains steam. 
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said atomizing medium contains air. 
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said atomizing medium contains steam and air. 
   
   
       7 . A method for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a formation containing said hydrocarbons, comprising:
 providing a steam generator circuit for introducing steam into said formation, said circuit having an atomizing assembly for burning fuel;   providing a source of emulsified fuel for burning;   providing an atomizing medium containing waste natural gas or other gaseous hydrocarbon material;   atomizing said emulsified fuel with said solution gas or other gaseous hydrocarbon material;   burning the atomized emulsified fuel and atomizing gas as a mixture to generate steam, said mixture containing heat enthalpy from both said emulsified fuel and said gas in said assembly; and   recovering hydrocarbons from said formation.   
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said formation comprises a SAGD formation. 
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said formation comprises an oil sands formation. 
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said emulsified fuel comprises heavy oil, vacuum residues, asphaltenes, bitumen, biomass and coal pitch tar. 
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said emulsified fuel comprises MSAR™. 
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said atomizing medium contains steam. 
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said atomizing medium contains air. 
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said atomizing medium contains steam and air. 
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , further including recycling produced solution gas from said formation for atomizing said emulsified fuel. 
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , further including the step of synthesizing said emulsified fuel from hydrocarbons from said formation. 
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said method is self contained. 
   
   
       18 . A fuel composition for use in an atomizing burner, comprising:
 an emulsified hydrocarbon based fuel; and   an atomizing medium for atomizing said emulsified hydrocarbon based fuel, said atomizing medium comprising solution gas produced from a hydrocarbon formation or other gaseous hydrocarbon material.   
   
   
       19 . The fuel as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said atomizing medium includes steam. 
   
   
       20 . The fuel as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said atomizing medium includes air. 
   
   
       21 . The fuel as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said atomizing medium includes air and steam.