Combined hydrogen production and unconventional heavy oil extraction
View Patent ↗A method of producing hydrogen and extracting heavy oil from underground reserves is provided. This method includes providing a carbon monoxide source stream and a water vapor stream to a first reactor, wherein the first reactor comprises a water shift reactor and a membrane-type separation device. This method also includes separating the products of the water shift reactor, thereby producing at least a hydrogen-rich stream, and a high pressure off-gas stream. This method also includes providing the high pressure off-gas stream and an oxidant stream to a combustion chamber. This method also includes combusting the oxidant stream and the high pressure off-gas stream as at least part of a combustion cycle thereby producing a hot injection gas stream. This method also includes combining the hot injection gas stream with a liquid water stream, wherein the combined stream may be used to heat the underground reserve sufficiently to release petroleum hydrocarbons therefrom.
1. A method of producing hydrogen and extracting heavy oil from underground reserves, said method comprising:
(a) providing a carbon monoxide source stream and a water vapor stream to a first reactor, wherein said first reactor comprises a water shift reactor and a membrane separation device;
(b) separating the products of said water shift reactor, thereby producing at least a hydrogen-rich stream, and a high pressure off-gas stream;
(c) providing said high pressure off-gas stream and an oxidant stream to a combustion chamber;
(d) combusting said oxidant stream and said high pressure off-gas stream as at least part of a combustion cycle thereby producing a hot injection gas stream; and
(e) combining said hot injection gas stream with a liquid water stream, wherein said combined stream is used to heat said underground reserve sufficiently to release petroleum hydrocarbons therefrom.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said carbon monoxide source is syngas.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said carbon monoxide source stream is at a pressure of between 290 psi and 1160 psi.