Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters for processes including enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A steam generation system, comprising:
 a working fluid source;   a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat working fluid passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet;   a fuel-fired heater;   a steam outlet connected to target;   a flow network coupled among the working fluid source, the solar collector, the heater and the steam outlet; and   a controller operatively coupled to the flow network and programmed with instructions that:
 direct at least one portion of a working fluid flow through the solar collector and then through the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence; and 
 direct a different portion of the working fluid flow through the fuel-fired heater and then through the solar collector in a second sequence. 
   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising a thermal storage medium operatively coupled to the solar collector to store heat generated at the solar collector. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the controller is programmed with instructions that:
 during a first operational mode, direct heat from the solar collector and the heater to heat water to steam and direct the steam to the steam outlet, wherein the solar collector receives a first level of solar insolation during the first operational mode; and   during a second operational mode, direct heat from the solar collector to the thermal storage medium to cool the solar collector and heat the thermal storage medium, wherein the solar collector receives no solar insolation or a second level of solar insolation less than the first during the second operational mode.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the first operational mode occurs during midday and wherein the second operational mode occurs in the evening. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the second operational mode occurs in response to an indication corresponding to steam quality being below a threshold level. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the thermal storage medium includes a liquid salt. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the working fluid includes a first working fluid directed between the collector inlet and the collector outlet, and a second working fluid in the thermal storage medium, and wherein the system further comprises a heat exchanger positioned to provide thermal communication between the first and second working fluids. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising the target. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49  wherein the target includes an injection well. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 42  wherein at least one of the sequences includes at least a portion of the heater operating in series with the solar collector. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 42  wherein at least one of the sequences includes at least a portion of the heater operating in parallel with the solar collector. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the heater receives heat from a fuel-fired combustion turbine. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the heater is part of a heat recovery steam generator. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the heater includes:
 a heater outlet, a fuel-fired burner, a burner exhaust, a first heater portion positioned in thermal communication with exhaust gases passing along an exhaust gas path from the burner to the burner exhaust, and a second heater portion positioned in thermal communication with the exhaust gases passing from the burner to the burner exhaust, with the first portion positioned downstream of the second portion along the exhaust gas path; and 
 wherein the system further comprises:
 a first valve positioned between the working fluid source, the first heater portion and the collector inlet; 
 a second valve positioned between the first valve and the first heater portion; 
 a third valve positioned between the first heater portion and the second heater portion; 
 a fourth valve positioned between the collector outlet and the heater outlet; and 
 
 wherein the controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct the system to operate in each of:
 a first mode with the first, second and fourth valves closed and the third valve open to direct at least some working fluid through the first and second heater portions and bypass the solar collector; 
 a second mode with the first valve at least partially open, the third valve open, and the second and fourth valves closed to direct a first portion of working fluid through the first heater portion, direct a second portion of working fluid through the solar collector, and direct both the first and second portions of working fluid through the second heater portion; 
 a third mode with the first, third and fourth valves closed and the second valve open to direct a third portion of working fluid through the first heater portion, then the solar collector, and then the second heater portion; and 
 a fourth mode with the first and third valves closed and the second and fourth valves open to direct a fourth portion of working fluid through the first heater portion and then the solar collector, direct a fifth portion of working fluid exiting the solar collector through the second heater portion, and direct a sixth portion of working fluid exiting the solar collector to bypass the second heater portion.