Extraction from a formation with induction heating
An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic core to be inserted into a borehole to a formation. The apparatus further includes a first coil wound about the magnetic core. In addition, the apparatus includes a first current supply to generate a first current to run through the first coil. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a first controller to control the first current supply. The first controller is to oscillate the first current to generate a magnetic field in the formation. Heat is to be generated in the formation via induction.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a magnetic core to be inserted into a borehole to a formation;
a first coil wound about the magnetic core;
a first current supply to generate a first current to run through the first coil; and
a first controller to control the first current supply, wherein the first controller is to oscillate the first current to generate a magnetic field to penetrate into the formation, and wherein heat is to be generated by inducing eddy currents in electrically conductive components of the formation.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic core is hollow.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic core is to guide wires therethrough.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic core is to transport liquid from the formation.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer to protect the magnetic core and the first coil.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the insulating layer is fiberglass.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first controller includes a switch to oscillate the first current.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a capacitor to oscillate the first current.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first coil includes a positive conductor and a negative conductor separated by a dielectric along a conductive path of the first coil.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second coil wound about the magnetic core, wherein the second coil is electrically separated from the first coil.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a second current supply to generate a second current to run through the second coil; and
a second controller to control the second current supply, wherein the second controller is to oscillate the second current to increase the magnetic field in the formation.
12 . An induction heating system comprising a plurality of apparatuses, wherein a subset of the plurality of apparatuses are arranged parallel to each other, and wherein each apparatus comprises:
a magnetic core to be inserted into a borehole to a formation;
a first coil wound about the magnetic core;
a first current supply to generate a first current to run through the first coil; and
a first controller to control the first current supply, wherein the first controller is to oscillate the first current to generate a magnetic field to penetrate into the formation, and wherein heat is to be generated by inducing eddy currents in electrically conductive components of the formation.
13 . The induction heating system of claim 12 , wherein the subset of the plurality of apparatuses is arranged in a circle.
14 . The induction heating system of claim 13 , wherein each apparatus of the subset is equidistant from adjacent apparatuses along the circle.
15 . The induction heating system of claim 13 , further comprising a ring within the circle.
16 . The induction heating system of claim 15 , wherein the ring is to support the subset of the plurality of apparatuses.
17 . The induction heating system of claim 15 , wherein the ring is conductive to provide shielding for electronics.
18 . The induction heating system of claim 12 , further comprising an insulating covering.
19 . The induction heating system of claim 18 , wherein the insulating covering is fiberglass.