Water with solvent indirect boiling

Abstract

Systems and methods relate to vaporizing water into steam, which may be utilized in applications such as bitumen production. The methods rely on indirect boiling of the water by contact with a substance such as solid particulate heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Heating of the solid particulate may utilize pressure isolated heat exchanger units or a hot gas recirculation circuit at a pressure corresponding to that desired for the steam. Further, the water may form part of a mixture that contacts the solid particulate and includes a solvent for the bitumen in order to limit vaporization energy requirements and facilitate the production.

1 . A method of vaporizing water, comprising:
 introducing a solvent for bitumen into the water to form a mixture;   injecting the mixture into contact with solid particulate heated to a temperature that results in vaporizing the mixture; and   separating water and solvent vapors from the solid particulate.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent includes hydrocarbons having between 3 and 30 carbon atoms and is introduced into the water as a liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising injecting the water and solvent vapors into a formation during a steam assisted gravity drainage operation. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid particulate is fluidized during the injecting of the mixture into contact therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising heating the solid particulate by direct contact with a hot fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising heating the solid particulate by heat exchange with hot fluids separated from the solid particulate by a thermal conductive material. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water contains at least 1000 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids and at least 100 ppm organics. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein organics and dissolved solids in the water are retained in solid phase with the solid particulate following the separating. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising alternating between passing the mixture through a vessel containing the solid particulate in order to vaporize the mixture and passing a hot fluid through the vessel to reheat the solid particulate. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising alternating between passing the mixture at a first pressure through a vessel containing the solid particulate in order to vaporize the mixture and passing oxidant and fuel through the vessel for combustion therein at a second pressure below the first pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid particulate is divided between first and second vessels operating in corresponding alternation between receiving the mixture for the vaporizing and receiving hot fluid for reheating the solid particulate. 
     
     
         12 . A method of vaporizing water, comprising:
 supplying the water from separated production fluid associated with a steam assisted gravity drainage bitumen recovery operation;   introducing a liquid hydrocarbon into the water to form a mixture having an energy requirement for vaporization that is at least  10  percent lower than water alone;   injecting the mixture into contact with a moving substance heated to result in vaporizing the mixture while at least some organics and dissolved solids in the water are retained with the moving substance; and   separating water and hydrocarbon vapors from the moving substance for injection of the vapors in the bitumen recovery operation.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon includes butane. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the mixture includes between 5 and 30 percent of the liquid hydrocarbon by volume. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the moving substance includes at least one of sand, metals and cracking catalyst. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising burning off the organics from the moving substance during reheating thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A system for vaporizing water, comprising:
 a steam generator coupled to receive liquids including a solvent for bitumen and the water;   solid particulate disposed in the steam generator and in thermal communication with a heat source for vaporization of the liquids that contact the solid particulate that is heated; and   an output coupled to the steam generator and through which the water and solvent vapors exit separated from the solid particulate.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the solid particulate is divided between first and second vessels that operate in corresponding alternation between receiving the liquids for the vaporization and hot fluid for reheating the solid particulate. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising valves coupled to the steam generator to alternate between passing the liquids at a first pressure through the steam generator for the vaporization and passing oxidant and fuel through the steam generator for combustion therein at a second pressure below the first pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the solid particulate includes at least one of sand, metals and cracking catalyst fluidized in the steam generator.