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Use of opposed jet flame stabilization in a downhole steam generator
Author(s) -
Mohtadi M. F.,
Sarkar S.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450630422
Subject(s) - combustion , boiler (water heating) , methane , jet (fluid) , ignition system , mixing (physics) , gas generator , nuclear engineering , exhaust gas , materials science , combustor , waste management , environmental science , petroleum engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , mechanics , chemistry , engineering , aerospace engineering , physics , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Use of opposed jet flame stabilization in a direct contact steam generator which can operate in the borehole of an oil well was successfully demonstrated. Flame stabilization was obtained using a coaxially placed mixing cup from which a jet of premixed methane and air was introduced counter‐currently into the main air stream. Stable combustion was achieved within a wide range of air/fuel ratios. Steam generation rates of up to 75 kg/h, evaporation efficiencies of up to 92% and combustion intensities approaching 12 MW/m 3 could be sustained over prolonged periods. A logic ignition control system ensured the safe operation of the generator. Exhaust gas analysis showed only negligible amounts of unburned methane and less than 0.5% carbon monoxide, when operating the generator at equivalence ratios of around 1.2.