CN101553640B

CN101553640B - Heater, method for heating hydrocarbon-containing stratum using the heater, produced hydrocarbon composition and transportation fuel

Info

Publication number: CN101553640B
Application number: CN200780013986.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·M·维泰克; M·P·布雷迪; J·A·小霍顿
Original assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Current assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2013-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-20
Also published as: CN101466914A; CN101427004A; CN101454536A; CN101563523A; CN101563523B; CN101427004B; CN101553640A; CN101466914B; CN101454536B

Abstract

A heater is described. The heater includes a heater section including iron, cobalt, and carbon. The heater section has a Curie temperature less than a phase transformation temperature. The Curie temperature is at least 740 DEG C. The heater section provides, when time varying current is applied to the heater section, an electrical resistance.

Description

Heater, utilize method and the compositions of hydrocarbons of producing and the transport fuel of described heater heating hydrocarbon containing formation

Government's rights and interests

According to UT-Batte11e, the agreement No.ERD-05-2516 that signs according to the general contract No.DE-ACO5-00OR22725 between USDOE and Shell exploitation and the production company between the LLC, U.S. government has certain right to the present invention.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the heater with limit warm nature matter.Specific embodiment relates to processes for example heater of hydrocarbon containing formation to use of subsurface formations from stratum production hydrocarbon, hydrogen and/or other product.

Background technology

The hydrocarbon that from subsurface formations, obtains usually as the energy, as raw material with as the consumer goods.The worry that obtainable hydrocarbon source is exhausted and the worry that the gross mass of the hydrocarbon produced descends caused having developed the method for more effectively gathering, processing and/or using obtainable hydrocarbon source.Can use in-situ method from subsurface formations, to shift out hydrocarbon materials.May need to change chemistry and/or the physical property of the hydrocarbon materials in the subsurface formations, from subsurface formations, shift out more easily to allow hydrocarbon materials.Chemistry and physics change can comprise the reaction in-situ that produces extensible fluid, causes the change of hydrocarbon material composition, solubility change, density change, phase transformation and/or viscosity-modifying in the subsurface formations.Fluid can be but be not limited to gas, liquid, emulsion, slurry and/or have logistics with the solid particle of the similar flow performance of liquid flow.

Can in wellhole, place heater with method heating stratum in position.In the U.S. Patent No. 2,634,961 of Ljungstrom, the U.S. Patent No. 2 of Ljungstrom, 732,195, the U.S. Patent No. 2,780,450 of Ljungstrom, the U.S. Patent No. 2 of Ljungstrom, 789,805, the people's such as the U.S. Patent No. 2,923,535 of Ljungstrom and Van Meurs U.S. Patent No. 4, the example that uses the in-situ method of donwhole heater has been described in 886,118.

Described in the people's such as the U.S. Patent No. 2,923,535 of Ljungstrom and Van Meurs the U.S. Patent No. 4,886,118 the oil shale stratum has been applied heat.Can apply heat so that the kerogen pyrolysis in the oil bearing rock stratum to the oil bearing rock stratum.Heat also can make formation fracture to increase the permeability on stratum.The permeability that increases can allow formation fluids to producing well, there fluid is shifted out from the oil bearing rock stratum.In the disclosed certain methods of Ljungstrom, for example oxygen-containing gas medium (preferably remaining the oxygen-containing gas medium of heat from preheating step) is added in the permeable formation to cause burning.

Can use thermal source with sub-surface heatedly.Can use electric heater by radiation and/or conduction with sub-surface heatedly.Heater adjustable resistance heating element.The electrical heating elements that the U.S. Patent No. 2,548,360 of Germain has been described in the viscous oil that is positioned in the wellhole.Described heater element heats and flux oil are to allow oil from the wellhole pumping out.The people's such as Eastlund U.S. Patent No. 4,716, thus 960 described by pipeline that the electric current of relatively low pressure is flowed through and realize the electrical heating of Petroleum Well Pipes is prevented that solid from forming.The U.S. Patent No. 5,065,818 of Van Egmond has been described the electrical heating elements that is fixed in the well without around the sleeve pipe of heating element.

The people's such as Vinegar U.S. Patent No. 6,023,554 has been described the electrical heating elements that is positioned in the sleeve pipe.The emittance heating muff that electrical heating elements produces.Can between sleeve pipe and stratum, place the granular solids packing material.Sleeve pipe can conduct the heating packing material, and described packing material is followed electricity and led the heating stratum.

Some heaters can produce fault because of the focus in the stratum or stop running.If when exceeding the maximum operating temp that maybe will exceed heater along the temperature of heater arbitrfary point, may need to reduce the power that is supplied to whole heater with avoid heater stop running and/or the stratum in focus place or stratum, vicinity overheated.Some heaters may not can provide uniform heat along heater length before heater reaches the uniform temperature limit.Some heaters may not can sub-surface effectively heatedly.Some normally used feeromagnetic metals in heater may have the Curie temperature that is lower than metal or with the overlapping phase transition temperature of the Curie temperature of metal.Therefore, use metal to form the phase transition temperature of regulating alloy so that Curie temperature is lower than the ferromagnetic metal alloy of the scope of phase transition temperature is favourable.

Summary of the invention

Embodiment described herein relates generally to system, method and the heater for the treatment of subsurface formations.Embodiment described herein also relates generally to the heater that wherein contains New Parent.Can obtain this heater by using system and method as herein described.

In some embodiments, the invention provides one or more systems, method and/or heater.In some embodiments, this system, method and/or heater are for the treatment of subsurface formations.

In some embodiments, the invention provides heater, described heater comprises: heater segment, and described heater segment contains iron, cobalt and carbon; Curie temperature (the T of wherein said heater segment _c) less than phase transition temperature, and T _cBe at least 740 ℃; Wherein design described heater segment with when resistance is provided when heater segment applies time dependent electric current.

In some embodiments, heater segment provided by the invention contains at the most 1wt% manganese, at the most 1wt% nickel, at the most 1wt% silicon, at the most 1wt% vanadium, at the most 1wt% titanium and/or 1wt% manganese at the most.

In some embodiments, heater segment provided by the invention has the Curie temperature (T less than phase transition temperature _c), and T _cBe at least 800 ℃.

In some embodiments, heater segment provided by the invention contains at least 50wt% iron, at least 9wt% chromium and 0.1wt% carbon at least.

In other embodiments, the feature of some embodiments can with the Feature Combination of other embodiment.For example the feature of an embodiment can with any Feature Combination of other embodiment.

In other embodiments, use any means as herein described, system or heater to process subsurface formations.

In other embodiments, specific embodiments as herein described can add supplementary features.

Description of drawings

Benefiting from following detailed description and the situation with reference to the accompanying drawings, advantage of the present invention will become apparent for a person skilled in the art, wherein:

Fig. 1 has described the explanation to the stage of heating hydrocarbon containing formation.

Fig. 2 has provided the schematic diagram for the treatment of the embodiment of the part of the situ heat treatment system of hydrocarbon containing formation.

Fig. 3,4 and 5 has described the sectional drawing example of the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and described temperature-limiting heater has the external conductor that contains ferromagnetic section and non-ferromagnetic section.

Fig. 6,7,8 and 9 has described the sectional drawing example of the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and described temperature-limiting heater has the external conductor that contains ferromagnetic section and non-ferromagnetic section that is positioned in the sheath.

Figure 10 has described the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and wherein supporting member provides most of thermal output of the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor.

Figure 11 and 12 has described the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and wherein chuck provides most of thermal output of the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor.

Figure 13 has described the experimental calculation with respect to ferrite with the austenite wt% mutually of the temperature of ferroalloy TC3.

Figure 14 has described the experimental calculation with respect to ferrite with the austenite wt% mutually of the temperature of ferroalloy FM-4.

Figure 15 has described Curie temperature and the phase transition temperature scope of several ferroalloys.

Figure 16 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.4wt% manganese and austenite wt% mutually.

Figure 17 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.01% carbon and austenite wt% mutually.

Figure 18 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.085% carbon and austenite wt% mutually.

Figure 19 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese, 0.085% carbon and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.4% titanium and austenite wt% mutually.

Figure 20 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 12.25wt% chromium, 0.1wt% carbon, 0.5wt% manganese and the temperature of the fe-cr alloy of 0.5wt% silicon and austenite wt% mutually.

Although the present invention is easy to carry out various improvement and alternative form, its specific embodiments is by providing by way of example in accompanying drawing, and can describe in detail at this.Accompanying drawing may not be pro rata.Yet should be appreciated that accompanying drawing and detailed description thereof are without wishing to limit the invention to particular forms disclosed, on the contrary, the present invention intends covering the spirit of the present invention that drops on claims definition and scope interior all improvement, equivalence and replacement scheme.

The specific embodiment

Following explanation relates generally to the System and method for of processing the hydrocarbon in the stratum.Can process this stratum to produce hydrocarbon products, hydrogen and other product.

" alternating current (AC) " refers to substantially change nyctitropic time dependent electric current by sine curve.AC produces the Kelvin effect electric current in ferromagnetic conductor moving.

In the context of the thermal output heating system that reduces, apparatus and method, term " automatically " represents that this system, apparatus and method need not use external control (for example with controller, PID controller or predictive controller with temperature pick up and backfeed loop peripheral control unit as example) to bring into play function.

" Curie temperature " is the temperature that ferromagnetic material loses its all ferromagnetic properties on this temperature.Remove and losing on the Curie temperature outside all ferromagnetic properties, when cumulative electric current was flowed through ferromagnetic material, ferromagnetic material began to lose its ferromagnetic property.

" stratum " comprises one or more layers hydrocarbon bearing formation, one or more layers nonhydrocarbon layer, superstratum and/or underlying strata." hydrocarbon layer " refers to the layer of hydrocarbonaceous in the stratum.The hydrocarbon layer can comprise non-hydrocarbon material and hydrocarbon material." superstratum " and/or " underlying strata " comprises a class or how inhomogeneous impermeable material.For example superstratum and/or underlying strata can comprise rock, shale, mud stone or wet/tight carbonate.In position in some embodiments of heat treating process, superstratum and/or underlying strata can comprise one deck hydrocarbon bearing formation or multilayer hydrocarbon bearing formation, and described hydrocarbon bearing formation is relatively impermeable and do not have a temperature during experience causes the situ heat treatment of the remarkable characteristic variations of hydrocarbon bearing formation in superstratum and/or the underlying strata.For example underlying strata can comprise shale or mud stone, but does not allow during the situ heat treatment method to heat underlying strata to pyrolysis temperature.In some cases, superstratum and/or underlying strata can have certain permeability.

" formation fluid " refers to be present in the fluid in the stratum, and can comprise pyrolyzation fluid, synthesis gas, motion hydrocarbon and water (steam).Formation fluid can comprise hydrocarbon fluid and non-hydrocarbon fluids.Fluid in the hydrocarbon containing formation that the result as the heat treatment stratum that refers to term " moving fluid " can flow." fluid of generation " refers to the fluid that shifts out from the stratum.

" thermal source " is substantially to provide heat to arrive any system at least a portion stratum by conduction and/or radiant heat transfer.For example thermal source can comprise electric heater, for example insulated electric conductor, slender member and/or the conductor arranged in conduit.Thermal source also can comprise by in the outside, stratum or the system of internal-combustion fuel Heat of Formation.This system can be surface combustion burner, downhole gas burner, without flame distribution formula burner and NATURAL DISTRIBUTION formula burner.The heat that in some embodiments, can in one or more thermals source, provide or generate by other energy supply.Other energy can directly heat the stratum, perhaps can apply energy to Transfer Medium, and described Transfer Medium directly or indirectly heats the stratum.The one or more thermals source that apply heat to the stratum should be understood and the different energy can be used.Therefore, for example for given stratum, some thermal source can be supplied heat by resistance heater, some thermal source can provide heat by burning, and some thermal source can provide heat by one or more other energy (for example chemical reaction, solar energy, wind energy, biological substance or other reproducible energy).Chemical reaction can comprise exothermic reaction (for example oxidation reaction).The heater heater well for example that provides heat to arrive adjacent with heating location zone and/or the zone around it also can be provided thermal source.

" heater " is any system or the thermal source of Heat of Formation in well or in the nigh well bore region.Heater can be but be not limited to electric heater, burner, with the burner of material in the stratum or the material reaction that from the stratum, produces and/or their combination.

" hydrocarbon " is normally defined the molecule that is mainly formed by carbon and hydrogen atom.Hydrocarbon also can comprise other element, such as but not limited to halogen, metallic element, nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur.Hydrocarbon can be but be not limited to kerogen, pitch, pyrobitumen, oil, natural mineral wax and asphalite.Hydrocarbon can be positioned at intracrustal matrices or adjacent with it.Parent rock can include but not limited to sedimentary rock, sand, silicilyte, carbonate, kieselguhr and other porous media." hydrocarbon fluid " is the fluid that comprises hydrocarbon.Hydrocarbon fluid can comprise, carries secretly or be entrained in the non-hydrocarbon fluids, and described non-hydrocarbon fluids is hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water and ammonia for example.

" converted in-situ method " thus refer to by thermal source heating hydrocarbon containing formation with the temperature increase of layer at least in part to the method that is higher than pyrolysis temperature and in the stratum, produces pyrolyzation fluid.

" situ heat treatment method " thus refer to be elevated to the method that in the stratum, generates the fluid, visbreaking fluid and/or the pyrolyzation fluid that flow on the temperature that causes Fluid Flow in A, visbreaking and/or hydrocarbon material pyrolysis with thermal source heating hydrocarbon containing formation with the temperature of layer at least in part.

" insulated electric conductor " refers to conduct electricity and all or part of any elongated material that is covered by electrically insulating material.

" pyrolysis " is owing to apply the chemical bond rupture that heat causes.For example pyrolysis can comprise by independent heating compound is changed into one or more other materials.Heat can be transferred to a part of stratum to cause pyrolysis.

" pyrolyzation fluid " or " thermal decomposition product " refers to the fluid that basically produces during pyrolysed hydrocarbon.The fluid that produces by pyrolytic reaction can mix with other fluid in the stratum.This mixture will be regarded as pyrolyzation fluid or thermal decomposition product.This paper employed " pyrolysis zone " refers to have reacted or reacted the stratum volume that forms pyrolyzation fluid (for example relatively permeable stratum, such as tar sand formation).

" time dependent electric current " refers to Kelvin effect electric current movable property electric current that give birth to and that have time dependent numerical value in the ferromagnetic conductor.Time dependent electric current comprises the DC current (DC) of alternating current (AC) and modulation.

Hole in the stratum that term " wellhole " refers to form by probing in the stratum or insertion conduit.Wellhole can have basically circular cross section, perhaps is other cross sectional shape.Term as used herein " well " and " opening " when the opening that refers in the stratum, can with term " wellhole " Alternate.

Can process in many ways hydrocarbon in the stratum to produce multiple different product.In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon in the stratum is processed stage by stage.Fig. 1 has described the explanation to the stage of heating hydrocarbon containing formation.Fig. 1 also described from the formation fluid on stratum in the productive rate (" Y ") (y axle) of barrels of oil equivalent/ton in ℃ the example of temperature (" T ") (x axle) on heating stratum.

The desorb of methane and the vaporization of water appearred between 1 period of heating of stage.Can as far as possible promptly carry out by stage 1 heating stratum.For example when at first hydrocarbon containing formation being heated, the methane that the hydrocarbon desorb in the stratum is adsorbed.Methane that can production desorb from the stratum.If hydrocarbon containing formation is further heated, the then water vapor in the hydrocarbon containing formation.In some hydrocarbon containing formations, water can occupy the 10-50% of the pore volume in the stratum.In other stratum, water occupies the pore volume of greater or lesser part.Water is vaporized under the pressure of 600-7000kPa absolute pressure at 160-285 ℃ in the stratum usually.In some embodiments, the water of vaporization causes the strata pressure that the wetability in the stratum changes and/or increases.The pressure that this wetability changes and/or increases can affect pyrolytic reaction or other reaction in the stratum.In some embodiments, from the stratum, produce the water of vaporization.In other embodiments, the water of vaporization is used for steam extraction and/or the distillation outside stratum or stratum.The pore volume that water is shifted out from the stratum and improve in the stratum has increased the storage area of hydrocarbon in the pore volume.

In some embodiments, after stage 1 heating, the stratum is further heated, so that the temperature in the stratum reaches (at least) the initial pyrolysis temperature temperature of the temperature range lower end shown in the stage 2 (for example).Hydrocarbon in the stratum may the stage 2 by pyrolysis.Pyrolysis temperature range depends on the kind of hydrocarbon in the stratum and changes.Pyrolysis temperature range can comprise 250-900 ℃ temperature.Can extend through the only part of total pyro lysis temperature temperature range for the production of the pyrolysis temperature range of desirable product.In some embodiments, the pyrolysis temperature range for the production of desirable product can comprise 250-400 ℃ temperature or 270-350 ℃ temperature.If the temperature of hydrocarbon slowly raises and passes through 250-400 ℃ temperature in the stratum, then the production of thermal decomposition product may be finished substantially when temperature reaches 400 ℃.The average temperature of hydrocarbon can less than 5 ℃/day, less than 2 ℃/day, less than 1 ℃/day or less than 0.5 ℃/day speed under raise by the pyrolysis temperature range for the production of desirable product.Can around thermal source, set up thermal gradient with a plurality of thermal source heating hydrocarbon containing formations, pass through pyrolysis temperature range with the temperature of hydrocarbon in the slow rising stratum.

The temperature increase rate of the pyrolysis temperature range by being used for desirable product may affect quality and the quantity of the formation fluid of producing from hydrocarbon containing formation.The slow rising of temperature may be suppressed flowing of stratum long-chain molecule by the pyrolysis temperature range that is used for desirable product.The slow rising of temperature may be limited in the reaction that produces undesirable product between the mobile hydrocarbon by the pyrolysis temperature range that is used for desirable product.Can be so that produce the hydrocarbon of high-quality, high API Gravity from the stratum by the pyrolysis temperature range that is used for desirable product with slow rising of temperature on stratum.The pyrolysis temperature range that the temperature on stratum is slowly raise by being used for desirable product can be so that shift out a large amount of hydrocarbon that exists on the stratum as hydrocarbon products.

In some situ heat treatment embodiments, with a part of stratum be heated to desirable temperature rather than slowly heating make temperature pass through temperature range.In some embodiments, desirable temperature is 300 ℃, 325 ℃ or 350 ℃.Can select other temperature as desirable temperature.Come the stack of heat of self-heat power so that in the stratum, set up relatively rapidly and effectively desirable temperature.Energy input in can regulating from the thermal source to the stratum is substantially to remain on the temperature in the stratum under the desirable temperature.The stratum of heating part is remained under the desirable temperature substantially until the pyrolysis minimizing becomes uneconomical so that produce desirable formation fluid from the stratum.The ground layer segment that stands pyrolysis can comprise by only being conducted heat by a thermal source and is brought into zone in the pyrolysis temperature range.

In some embodiments, from the stratum, produce the formation fluid that comprises pyrolyzation fluid.When the stratum temperature increased, the quantity of condensable hydrocarbon may reduce in the formation fluid of production.At high temperature, the stratum may the most of methane of output and/or hydrogen.If with hydrocarbon containing formation heating by whole pyrolysis range, then for the upper limit of pyrolysis range, the stratum may output a small amount of hydrogen only.After all obtainable hydrogen exhaustions, with the fluid-withdrawal rate that usually occurs from the minimum number on stratum.

After the hydrocarbon pyrolysis, a large amount of carbon and some hydrogen may still be present in the stratum.The carbon that is retained in the obvious ratio in the stratum can be with form output from the stratum of synthesis gas.Between 3 periods of heating of stage of in Fig. 1, describing, synthesis gas can occur and generate.Stage 3 can comprise hydrocarbon containing formation is heated to and be enough to so that the temperature that synthesis gas generates.For example can in the temperature range of about 400-1200 ℃, about 500-1100 ℃ or about 550-1000 ℃, produce synthesis gas.When the fluid that will produce synthesis gas added the stratum, the temperature of the heating part on stratum had determined the composition of the synthesis gas produced in the stratum.Can from the stratum, shift out the synthesis gas that produces by producing well.

Between pyrolysis and synthesis gas generation, it is relatively constant that the total energy content of the fluid of producing from hydrocarbon containing formation can keep.During the pyrolysis under the relatively low formation temperature, obviously the fluid of producing of ratio can be the condensable hydrocarbons with high energy content.Yet under higher pyrolysis temperature, less formation fluid can comprise condensable hydrocarbon.Can produce from the stratum more can not condensable formation fluids.Be mainly can not the generation of condensable formation fluids between, the energy content of the fluid of producing of per unit volume may slight reduction.During synthesis gas produces, to compare with the energy content of pyrolyzation fluid, the energy content of the synthesis gas of producing of per unit volume obviously reduces.Yet the volume of the synthesis gas of production will obviously increase in many cases, thus the energy content of compensation reduction.

Fig. 2 has described the schematic diagram for the treatment of the embodiment of the situ heat treatment system part of hydrocarbon containing formation.The situ heat treatment system can comprise barrier wells 200.Use barrier wells around treatment region, to form screen layer.The screen layer suppression fluid flows into and/or the outflow treatment region.Barrier wells includes but not limited to dewatering well, vacuum well, capture well, injector well, mud well, freezing well or their combination.In some embodiments, barrier wells 200 is dewatering wells.Dewatering well can be removed liquid water and/or suppress liquid water and enter in a part of stratum to be heated or in the stratum of heating.In the embodiment of describing in Fig. 2, shown barrier wells 200 is only extended (but barrier wells is usually around whole used or stand-by thermals source 202) with the treatment region on heating stratum along one side of thermal source 202.

Thermal source 202 places at least a portion stratum.Thermal source 202 can comprise heater, for example the conductor heater in insulated electric conductor, the conduit road, surface combustion burner, without flame distribution formula burner and/or NATURAL DISTRIBUTION formula burner.Thermal source 202 also can comprise the heater of other type.Thermal source 202 provides heat to arrive at least a portion stratum with the hydrocarbon in the heating stratum.Can be by supply line 204 supplying energies to thermal source 202.Supply line 204 structurally can be different, and this depends on the type of the heating employed a kind of thermal source in stratum or various heating sources.The supply line 204 that is used for thermal source can be carried the electricity for electric heater, can transport the fuel for burner, perhaps can transport the heat exchanging fluid that circulates in the stratum.In some embodiments, can be by the nuclear power station supply for the electricity of situ heat treatment method.Use nuclear power can reduce or eliminate from the carbon dioxide of situ heat treatment method discharging.

Use producing well 206 from the stratum, to shift out formation fluid.In some embodiments, producing well 206 comprises thermal source.Thermal source in producing well can heat at the producing well place or near one or more parts on the stratum it.In some situ heat treatment method embodiments, in every meter producing well, be fed to heat in the stratum less than being applied to the heat on stratum in every meter thermal source from the thermal source on heating stratum from producing well.The heat that is applied to the stratum from producing well can increase the stratum permeability of contiguous producing well by vaporization and the liquid phase fluid that shifts out contiguous producing well, and/or increases the stratum permeability of contiguous producing well by the huge and/or small crack on stratum.

In some embodiments, the thermal source in the producing well 206 allows to shift out from the stratum gas phase of formation fluid.Provide at the producing well place or by producing well heat can: when move in producing near the producing well of the fluid superstratum (1), suppress these and produce fluid condensation and/or backflow, (2) increase the heat that is input in the stratum, (3) compare with the producing well that does not have thermal source, increase the throughput rate of producing well, (4) suppress the condensation that the producing well medium high carbon is counted compound (C6 and more than the C6), and/or (5) increase producing well place or near the permeability on stratum it.

The pressure of the fluid that the subsurface pressure on stratum can be equivalent to produce in the stratum.When the temperature in the heating part of stratum raise, because the vaporization of the fluid that produces and water increases, the pressure of heating part also increased.Fluid is shifted out in control from the stratum speed can allow to control the pressure in the stratum.Can determine the pressure on stratum in a lot of different positions, for example near or at the producing well place, near or at the thermal source place or at the monitor well place.

In some hydrocarbon containing formations, until the pyrolysis of at least some hydrocarbon in the stratum, it all is downtrod producing hydrocarbon from the stratum.When formation fluid has selected quality, can be from the stratum grown place layer fluid.In some embodiments, selected quality comprises that API Gravity is at least about 20 °, 30 ° or 40 °.Suppress to produce until at least some hydrocarbon pyrolysis can improve heavy hydrocarbon to the conversion ratio of lighter hydrocarbons.Suppressing initial production can make the heavy hydrocarbon of producing from the stratum minimize.The production of a large amount of heavy hydrocarbons may need expensive equipment and/or shorten the life-span of production equipment.

Reaching pyrolysis temperature and allowing after the stratum produces, can change strata pressure with the composition of the formation fluid of change and/or production control, with in the control formation fluid with the percentage that can not condensed fluid compare condensable fluid, and/or the API Gravity of the formation fluid produced of control.For example pressure drop may cause producing more condensable fluid component.Condensable fluid component can comprise the alkene of larger percentage.

In the embodiment of some situ heat treatment methods, the pressure in the stratum can keep enough height, to promote API Gravity greater than the production of 20 ° formation fluid.The pressure that maintenance increases in the stratum can suppress the stratum and sink in the heat treatment in position.The pressure that keeps increasing can promote production gaseous fluid from the stratum.The production gas phase can be allowed for carrying the size of the collecting pipe of the fluid that produces from the stratum to reduce.The needs of layer fluid compressively when the pressure that keep to increase can reduce or eliminate on ground the fluid in the collecting pipe is transported to treatment facility.

The pressure that heating part on the stratum keeps increasing can shockingly allow to produce the relative low hydrocarbon with molecular weight of a large amount of quality raisings.Can keep pressure, so that the formation fluid of producing has the above compound of selected carbon number of minimum.Selected carbon number can be maximum 25, maximum 20, maximum 12 or maximum 8.Some high carbon number compounds can be entrained in the steam in the stratum, and can shift out from the stratum with steam.The pressure that keeps increasing in the stratum can suppress entrainment of high carbon number compound and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds in the steam.High carbon number compound and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds can keep liquid phase in the stratum within quite long period.Can provide time enough with the compound of pyrolysis formation than low carbon number described quite long period for compound.

The formation fluid of being produced by producing well 206 can be transported in the treatment facility 210 by collection conduit 208.Also can be by thermal source 202 grown place layer fluid.For example can produce fluid by thermal source 202, with the pressure in the control stratum adjacent with thermal source.The fluid of being produced by thermal source 202 can be transported in the collection conduit 208 by pipeline or pipeline, and the fluid of perhaps producing can be delivered directly in the treatment facility 210 by pipeline or pipeline.Treatment facility 210 can comprise separative element, reaction member, upgrading unit, fuel cell, turbine, reservoir vessel and/or other system and the unit that formation fluid that processing is produced is used.Treatment facility can form transport fuel by at least a portion hydrocarbon that the stratum produces.In some embodiments, transport fuel can be for example JP-8 of jet fuel.

Temperature-limiting heater can be have a fixed structure and/or can comprise that the material that the automatic temperature-adjusting finitude is provided is to limit heater under uniform temperature.In some embodiments, use ferromagnetic material in the temperature-limiting heater.Ferromagnetic material can be from limiting temperature under the Curie temperature in material and/or the phase transition temperature scope or near, thereby when applying time dependent electric current to material, provide the heat of reduction.In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material is from limiting the temperature of temperature-limiting heater under near the selected temperature Curie temperature and/or the phase transition temperature scope.In some embodiments, selected temperature is within Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope about 35 ℃, about 25 ℃, about 20 ℃ or about 10 ℃.In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material and other material (for example strong conductive material, high-strength material, resistant material or their combination) coupling is to provide multiple electrical property and/or mechanical performance.The some parts of temperature-limiting heater may have than the other parts of temperature-limiting heater lower resistance (owing to different structures and/or owing to using different ferromagnetic and/or nonferromagnetic materials to cause).The part that makes temperature-limiting heater have different materials and/or size allows to regulate and control out required thermal output from the each several part of heater.

Comparable other heater of temperature-limiting heater is more reliable.Temperature-limiting heater may be not easy to produce fault because of the focus in the stratum or stop running.In some embodiments, temperature-limiting heater allows to heat substantially equably the stratum.In some embodiments, along on the whole length of heater, temperature-limiting heater can more effectively heat the stratum by operation under higher evenly heat output.If when exceeding the maximum operating temp that maybe will exceed heater along the temperature of heater arbitrfary point, because need not provides the power to heater (resembling the situation of typical firm power heater) in whole heater reduction, so along the operation under higher evenly heat output of temperature-limiting heater on the whole length of heater.Need not to control and adjust the time dependent electric current that is applied to heater, automatically reduce near the thermal output of the temperature-limiting heater part of heater Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope.Because the variation of the electrical property (for example resistance) of temperature-limiting heater part, thermal output reduces automatically.Therefore, during the heating process of greater part, provide larger power by temperature-limiting heater.

In some embodiments, the system that comprises temperature-limiting heater the first thermal output initially is provided and when temperature-limiting heater provides energy by time dependent electric current, provide approaching subsequently, the thermal output (the second thermal output) of the reduction of the Curie temperature of the resistive part that is equal to or higher than heater and/or phase transition temperature scope.The first thermal output is to begin thermal output under the temperature that limits being lower than temperature-limiting heater.In some embodiments, the first thermal output is the thermal output under the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic material in than temperature-limiting heater and/or low about 50 ℃, about 75 ℃ of phase transition temperature scope, about 100 ℃ or the about 125 ℃ temperature.

Can provide energy to temperature-limiting heater by the time dependent electric current (direct current of alternating current or modulation) in the well head supply.Well head can comprise for the power supply that energy is provided to temperature-limiting heater and other assembly (for example modulation component, transformer and/or capacitor).Temperature-limiting heater can be for a plurality of heaters that heat a part of stratum.

In some embodiments, temperature-limiting heater comprises when the body that acts as a guide applies time dependent electric current, as the conductor of Kelvin effect or the operation of kindred effect heater.Kelvin effect defines the degree of depth that electric current penetrates conductor inside.For ferromagnetic material, Kelvin effect is controlled by the magnetic conductivity of conductor.The relative permeability of ferromagnetic material be generally 10-1000 (for example the relative permeability of ferromagnetic material be generally at least 10 and can be at least 50,100,500 and 1000 or larger).Along with the temperature increase of ferromagnetic material to being higher than Curie temperature or phase transition temperature scope and/or along with the electric current that applies increases, the magnetic conductivity of ferromagnetic material obviously descends and skin depth increases rapidly (for example skin depth is along with the square root inverse ratio increase of magnetic conductivity).The reduction of magnetic conductivity and/or along with the electric current that applies increases causes approaching, be equal to or higher than the AC of conductor of Curie temperature, phase transition temperature scope or the DC resistance of modulation and reduces.When temperature-limiting heater during by substantially invariable driven with current sources, approach, arrive or the heater section that is higher than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope can have the heat radiation of reduction.The temperature-limiting heater part that is not in or keeps off Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope can be controlled by and allows heater because higher resistance load has the Kelvin effect of high heat radiation heats.

The Curie temperature heater uses at welding equipment, the heating element (for example pizza baking oven) that is used for the heater of medical application and is used for baking oven.Some such application are disclosed in the people's such as the people's such as the people's such as Lamome U.S. Patent No. 5,579,575, Henschen U.S. Patent No. 5,065,501 and Yagnik the U.S. Patent No. 5,512,732.The people's such as Whitney U.S. Patent No. 4,849,611 has been described the heating unit that comprises reactive component, electric resistance heating assembly and temperature-responsive assembly a plurality of separation, the interval.

The advantage of using the hydrocarbon in the temperature-limiting heater heating stratum is to select to have Curie temperature in the action required temperature range and/or the conductor of phase transition temperature scope.Operation allows sufficient heat is injected the stratum in the action required temperature range, and the temperature of keeping simultaneously temperature-limiting heater and miscellaneous equipment is lower than design limit temperatures.Design limit temperatures is the temperature that the character of for example burn into creep and/or distortion is subject to negative effect.The temperature finitude of temperature-limiting heater suppresses heater overheated of lower thermal conductivity " focus " in the adjacent formations or burns.In some embodiments, temperature-limiting heater can reduce or control thermal output and/or depend on that employed material bears in the heater and is being higher than 25 ℃, 37 ℃, 100 ℃, 250 ℃, 500 ℃, 700 ℃, 800 ℃, 900 ℃ or higher heating to 1131 ℃ temperature.

Be complementary with the lower thermal conductivity zone with adjacent heater because need not to limit the energy of inputting temperature-limiting heater, so temperature-limiting heater allows than firm power heater more heat to be injected the stratum.For example the difference between the thermal conductivity of the thermal conductivity of the minimum reserves oil shale layer of Green River oil shale and the highest reserves oil shale layer is at least 3 times.When this stratum of heating, compare the heat that temperature-limiting heater is obviously more crossed to the stratum input with the conventional heating device of the temperature limiting that is subjected to low thermal conductivity layers.Need to be complementary with low thermal conductivity layers so that heater can be not overheated and burn in low thermal conductivity layers along the thermal output of the whole length of conventional heating device.The thermal output of the contiguous low thermal conductivity layers at high temperature of temperature-limiting heater will reduce, but the remainder of temperature-limiting heater not at high temperature still will provide high thermal output.Usually has long length (for example at least the about 10km of 10m, 100m, 300m, 500m, 1km or as many as) because be used for the heater on heat hydrocarbon stratum, so the major length of temperature-limiting heater can operate being lower than under the Curie temperature, only have simultaneously part or near the Curie temperature of temperature-limiting heater and/or phase transition temperature scope under operate.

Use temperature-limiting heater to allow effectively to the stratum transferring heat.The effective communication heat allows ground layer for heating to the temperature required required time is reduced.For example in Green River oil shale, when the 12m heater well of using conventional firm power heater apart from the time, pyrolysis need to be heated 9.5 years-10 years usually.For identical heater spacing, temperature-limiting heater can allow larger evenly heat output, keeps simultaneously the design limit temperatures that the heater device temperature is lower than equipment.Because temperature-limiting heater provides larger evenly heat output than firm power heater, the pyrolysis in the stratum can occur in the time more early.For example in Green River oil shale, when using the temperature-limiting heater of 12m heater well distance, pyrolysis can occur in 5 years.Temperature-limiting heater has been offset because inaccurate well spacing or drilling well make heater well lean on to get tension and the focus that produces.In some embodiments, temperature-limiting heater allows to export in time the power of increase for spacing heater well excessively far away, or allows heater well close to must be excessively to export in time the power of circumscribed.Temperature-limiting heater also provides larger power to compensate the temperature loss in these zones to the zone of contiguous superstratum and underlying strata.

Temperature-limiting heater can be advantageously used in the multiple stratum.For example in the tar sand formation that contains heavy hydrocarbon or relatively in the permeable formation, can use temperature-limiting heater with provide controlled low temperature output with at the wellhole place or the near wellbore place or in the stratum, reduce fluid viscosity, make Fluid Flow in A and/or improve the Radial Flow of fluid.Can use temperature-limiting heater to suppress the overheated excessive coking stratum that causes owing to the well bore region of adjacent formations.

In some embodiments, use temperature-limiting heater to eliminate or lowered the demand of expensive temperature-control circuit.For example use temperature-limiting heater to eliminate or lowered the demand of carrying out temperature survey and/or used stationary heat galvanic couple on the heater with the potential overheated demand of monitoring at the focus place.

In some embodiments, the phase transformation of material therefor in the temperature-limiting heater (for example variation of crystallization phase transformation or crystal structure) has changed heater and has occured from the selected temperature that limits.Used material may reduce the phase transformation (for example being transformed into austenite from ferrite) of the magnetic conductivity of ferromagnetic material in the temperature-limiting heater.The reduction of this magnetic conductivity reduces similar with the magnetic conductivity that causes owing to the magnetic transition of ferromagnetic material under Curie temperature.Curie temperature is the magnetic transition temperature of the ferrite phase of ferromagnetic material.The reduction of magnetic conductivity causes temperature-limiting heater in the reduction of the DC resistance of the AC of the phase transition temperature that approaches, is equal to or higher than ferromagnetic material and/or Curie temperature or modulation.

The phase transformation of ferromagnetic material can occur in certain temperature range.The temperature range of phase transformation depends on ferromagnetic material and can change in about 5 ℃-Yue 200 ℃ scope.Because phase transformation occurs in certain temperature range, so being reduced in the certain temperature range of magnetic conductivity that causes owing to phase transformation occurs.The reduction of the magnetic conductivity generation that also can in the phase transition temperature scope, lag behind.In some embodiments, phase transformation of ferromagnetic material returns lower temperature and compares and be phase-changed into higher temperature mutually slow (for example transforming back into ferrite from austenite, to be transformed into austenite than ferrite slow).After heater resistance Yin Gaowen reduces, thus become again mutually the lower temperature phase velocity can cause more slowly heater equal or near the phase transition temperature scope under the operation that lags behind make heater slowly be increased to higher resistance value.

In some embodiments, when temperature during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic material, the reduction of phase transition temperature scope and magnetic conductivity is overlapping.Compare owing to the temperature asymptotic Curie temperature causes the reduction of magnetic conductivity with independent, the described overlapping resistance that makes is with respect to the faster decline of temperature.The described overlapping temperature-limiting heater that also can cause is in asymptotic Curie temperature and/or the hysteresis behavior in the phase transition temperature scope.

In some embodiments, the hysteresis operating ratio that causes because of phase transformation changes more level and smooth because of the reduction of the magnetic conductivity that the magnetic transition under Curie temperature causes.Described more level and smooth transformation is easier to control (for example using the electric power control with the interactional process control equipment of power supply) than changing more rapidly under Curie temperature.In some embodiments, to the selected metallurgical method that uses in the temperature-limiting heater, Curie temperature is in phase transformation range.The reduction owing to the magnetic property under the Curie temperature cause rapidly and outside the transformation of determining, this phenomenon provides the level and smooth property of transition of phase transformation to temperature-limiting heater.This temperature-limiting heater can be (because the phase transformation) that is easy to control, and certain temperature extremes (because Curie temperature changes rapidly) is provided simultaneously.Use the phase transition temperature scope to replace Curie temperature and/or use simultaneously phase transition temperature scope and Curie temperature to increase number and the scope of the metallurgical method that can be used for temperature-limiting heater in the temperature-limiting heater.

In some embodiments, in ferromagnetic material, add alloy to regulate the temperature range of phase transformation.For example in ferromagnetic material, add the temperature that carbon can increase the phase transition temperature scope and reduce the phase transformation appearance.In ferromagnetic material, add temperature and the reduction phase transition temperature scope that titanium can increase the phase transformation appearance.Can regulate alloy composition so that required Curie temperature and phase transition property to be provided to ferromagnetic material.Can select based on the required character of ferromagnetic material the alloy composition (such as but not limited to magnetic conductivity transition temperature or temperature range, resistance is with respect to curve or the power stage of temperature) of ferromagnetic material.When add to 410 stainless steels cobalt with ferrite to austenitic phase transition temperature scope bring up to greater than or during much larger than the temperature range of the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic material, add titanium and can obtain higher Curie temperature.

In some embodiments, compare with standard heater, production or manufacturing temperature-limiting heater are more economical.Typical ferromagnetic material comprises iron, carbon steel or ferrite stainless steel.With normally used Ni-based heating and gold in insulated electric conductor (mineral insulated cable) heater (nichrome for example, Kanthal ^TM(Bulten-Kanthal AB, Sweden) and/or LOHM ^TM(Driver-Harris Company, Harrison, NewJersey, the U.S.) compares, and this material is cheap.In an embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, temperature-limiting heater manufactures insulated conductor heater to reduce cost and to improve reliability with continuous length.

Fig. 3-12 has described the multiple embodiments of temperature-limiting heater.One or more features of the temperature-limiting heater embodiment described in arbitrary the figure of these figure can combine with one or more features of other temperature-limiting heater embodiment described in these figure.In embodiments more as herein described, the size of design temperature-limiting heater is to move under the frequency of 60Hz AC.The size that should understand described those temperature-limiting heaters of adjustable literary composition is with under other AC frequency or use the DC electric current of modulation to operate in a similar manner.

Fig. 3 has described the sectional drawing example of an embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and described temperature-limiting heater has the external conductor that contains ferromagnetic section and non-ferromagnetic section.Figure 4 and 5 have been described the transverse cross-sectional view of embodiment shown in Fig. 3.In one embodiment, be used for for ferromagnetic section 212 providing heat to the hydrocarbon layer on stratum.Non-ferromagnetic section 214 superstratum that is used for the stratum.A small amount of heat is provided to the superstratum for non-ferromagnetic section 214 or heat is not provided, therefore suppress the thermal losses in the superstratum and improve heater efficiency.Comprise ferromagnetic material for example 409 stainless steels or 410 stainless steels for ferromagnetic section 212.Ferromagnetic section 212 thickness are 0.3cm.Non-ferromagnetic section 214 is that thickness is the copper of 0.3cm.Inner conductor 216 is copper.Inner conductor 216 diameters are 0.9cm.Electrical insulator 218 is silicon nitride, boron nitride, magnesium oxide powder or another insulation materials that is fit to.The thickness of electrical insulator 218 is 0.1cm-0.3cm.

Fig. 6 has described the sectional drawing example of an embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and described temperature-limiting heater has the external conductor that contains ferromagnetic section and non-ferromagnetic section that is positioned in the sheath.Fig. 7,8 and 9 has described the transverse cross-sectional view of embodiment shown in Fig. 6.Ferromagnetic section 212 is that thickness is 410 stainless steels of 0.6cm.Non-ferromagnetic section 214 is that thickness is the copper of 0.6cm.Inner conductor 216 is that diameter is the copper of 0.9cm.External conductor 220 comprises ferromagnetic material.External conductor 220 provides some heats in the superstratum of heater section.In the superstratum, provide some heats to suppress condensation or the backflow of fluid in the superstratum.External conductor 220 is that external diameter is that 3.0cm and thickness are 409,410 or 446 stainless steels of 0.6cm.Electrical insulator 218 comprises the compact magnesia powder that thickness is 0.3cm.In some embodiments, electrical insulator 218 comprises silicon nitride, boron nitride or six square boron nitride.Conductive segment 222 can make inner conductor 216 and ferromagnetic section 212 and/or external conductor 220 be coupled.

For the temperature-limiting heater that ferromagnetic conductor wherein provides major part to be lower than the resistive thermal output of Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, most of electric current is flowed through and is had with respect to the material of magnetic induction intensity (B) for magnetic field (H) character of nonlinearity function.These nonlinear functions can cause strong inductive effect and distortion, and described strong inductive effect and distortion cause the power factor of temperature-limiting heater under the temperature that is lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope to descend.These effects can make the electric power that is fed to temperature-limiting heater restive and can cause other electric current flow through surface and/or superstratum power conductor.Expensive and/or the system that is difficult to control for example variable condenser or modulation power source can be used for compensating these impacts and control and wherein provides the temperature-limiting heater of most of resistive thermal output by the electric current ferromagnetic material of flowing through.

In some temperature-limiting heater embodiments, when temperature-limiting heater is lower than or during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope, ferromagnetic conductor defines the most of electric conductor that is coupled with ferromagnetic conductor that flows to of electric current.Electric conductor can be sheath, chuck, supporting member, corrosion resistant member or other resistive member.In some embodiments, ferromagnetic conductor defines the most of electric conductor that flows between outermost layer and ferromagnetic conductor of electric current.Ferromagnetic conductor is arranged in the cross section of temperature-limiting heater, flows to electric conductor so that the magnetic property of ferromagnetic conductor under the Curie temperature that is equal to or less than ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope limits the electric current major part.Because the Kelvin effect of ferromagnetic conductor limits the electric current major part and flows to electric conductor.Therefore, in the most of range of operation of heater, the electric current major part is flowed through and is had the material of substantially linear resistive performance.

In some embodiments, ferromagnetic conductor and electric conductor are arranged in the cross section of temperature-limiting heater, so that the Kelvin effect of ferromagnetic material defines under the temperature of the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope the penetration depth of electric current in the electric conductor and ferromagnetic conductor.Therefore, equal at the most or temperature near the temperature of the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope under, electric conductor provides temperature-limiting heater most of resistive thermal output.In some embodiments, the size of optional power taking conductor is to provide required thermal output characteristic.

Be lower than the electric conductor of Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope because the electric current major part is flowed through, the resistance of temperature-limiting heater with respect at least part of resistance of material in the electric conductor that reflected of the curve of temperature with respect to the curve of temperature.Therefore, if the resistance of material is substantially linear with respect to the curve of temperature in the electric conductor, then the resistance of temperature-limiting heater is substantially linear with respect to the curve of temperature when the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or the phase transition temperature scope.Until before temperature asymptotic Curie temperature and/or the phase transition temperature scope, the resistance of temperature-limiting heater seldom depends on or does not depend on the electric current of the heater of flowing through.When being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, electric current major part flow through electric conductor rather than ferromagnetic conductor.

For the temperature-limiting heater that electric current major part wherein flows through in conductor, resistance also trends towards showing resistance with respect to the curve of temperature to be reduced rapidly when approaching or equal the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope.The electric current of ferromagnetic material seldom is easier to control so resistance rapid reduction when approaching or equaling Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope may be than resistance reduces during in asymptotic Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope gradually because just flowing through.

In some embodiments, choose the size of material in the electric conductor and/or material so that temperature-limiting heater has resistance required when the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope with respect to the curve of temperature.

The temperature-limiting heater that wherein the electric current major part flows through in electric conductor rather than flows through in ferromagnetic conductor when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope is easier to predict and/or control.The performance of the temperature-limiting heater that wherein the electric current major part flows through in electric conductor rather than flows through in ferromagnetic conductor when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope can be predicted with respect to the curve of temperature with respect to curve and/or this temperature-limiting heater power factor of temperature by for example this temperature-limiting heater resistance.The analytic expression of experiment measuring, assessment or prediction temperature-limiting heater performance that resistance can be by for example assessing the temperature-limiting heater performance with respect to the curve of temperature with respect to the curve of temperature and/or power factor and/or the simulation of assessment or prediction temperature-limiting heater performance are assessed or are predicted.

In some embodiments, use the performance of the temperature-limiting heater through assessing or predicting with the control temperature-limiting heater.At the heater run duration, can be based on measurement (assessment) the control temperature-limiting heater to resistance and/or power factor.In some embodiments, at the heater run duration, based on the power or the electric current that the assessment of heater resistance and/or power factor and this assessment are supplied to temperature-limiting heater with respect to the relatively control between the heater performance of prediction.In some embodiments, the control of temperature-limiting heater be need not the temperature of HEATER FOR MEASURING or near the temperature the heater.Need not thermometric control to temperature-limiting heater and eliminated the running cost relevant with the downhole temperature measurement.With compare based on measured temperature control heater, also reduced the time that is used for regulating the power or the electric current that are supplied to heater based on the evaluation control temperature-limiting heater of heater resistance and/or power factor.

Along with the temperature of temperature-limiting heater approaches or exceed Curie temperature and/or the phase transition temperature scope of ferromagnetic conductor, the reduction of ferromagnetic conductor ferromagnetic property allows the flow through greater part of temperature-limiting heater conductive section of electric current.Therefore, equaling or during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope, the resistance of temperature-limiting heater reduce and the temperature-limiting heater automatic lifting for the thermal output of reduction.In some embodiments, strong conductive member and ferromagnetic conductor and electric conductor are coupled with at the resistance that equals or reduce during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope temperature-limiting heater.This strong conductive member can be inner conductor, core or other conductive member of copper, aluminium, nickel or their alloy.

With height to or use when asymptotic Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope ferromagnetic conductor to compare with the ferromagnetic conductor in the temperature-limiting heater that most of resistive thermal output is provided, decide the ferromagnetic conductor that the electric current major part flows to electric conductor at the lowest temperature that is lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope and can have relatively little cross section.With wherein when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, provide the temperature-limiting heater of most of resistive thermal output to compare by ferromagnetic material, the electric current of ferromagnetic conductor reduces because flow through, and has lower magnetic induction coefficient so use electric conductor being lower than with the temperature-limiting heater that most of resistive thermal output is provided under the temperature of Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope.Merchant divided by radius is directly proportional at the electric current (I) of the magnetic field (H) that ferromagnetic conductor radius (r) is located and flow through ferromagnetic conductor and core, perhaps:

(1)H _∝I/r。

Because for when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, using external conductor for the temperature-limiting heater that most of resistive thermal output is provided, some electric current ferromagnetic conductor of flowing through only is so the magnetic field of temperature-limiting heater can be significantly less than the flow through magnetic field of temperature-limiting heater of ferromagnetic material of most of electric current wherein.The relative permeability in little magnetic field (μ) can be larger.The skin depth of ferromagnetic conductor (δ) is inversely proportional to the square root of relative permeability (μ):

(2)δ _∝(1/μ) ^1/2。

Increase the skin depth that relative permeability reduces ferromagnetic conductor.Yet, because some electric current ferromagnetic conductor of flowing through only when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, so for the ferromagnetic material with larger relative permeability, can reduce the radius (or thickness) of ferromagnetic conductor with the skin depth of compensation reduction, still allow Kelvin effect to decide electric current to the penetration depth of electric conductor at the lowest temperature of the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope simultaneously.The relative permeability that depends on ferromagnetic conductor, the radius of ferromagnetic conductor (thickness) can be 0.3-8mm, 0.3-2mm or 2-4mm.Because the cost of ferromagnetic material is the pith of temperature-limiting heater cost normally, thus reduce ferromagnetic conductor thickness reduction make the cost of temperature-limiting heater.For equaling or near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or the temperature-limiting heater under the phase transition temperature scope, the relative permeability that increases ferromagnetic conductor provide higher adjusting than and more rapidly resistance descend.

Has high relative permeability (for example at least 200, at least 1000, at least 1 * 10 ⁴Or at least 1 * 10 ⁵) and/or the ferromagnetic material (for example purifying iron or iron-cobalt alloy) of high-curie temperature (for example at least 600 ℃, at least 700 ℃ or at least 800 ℃) at high temperature usually have lower corrosion resistance and/or lower mechanical strength.Electric conductor can provide at high temperature corrosion resistance and/or high mechanical properties to temperature-limiting heater.Therefore, ferromagnetic conductor can mainly be selected according to its ferromagnetic property.

When the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope, limit the electric current major part and flow to the variation that electric conductor has reduced power factor.Because some electric current ferromagnetic conductor of flowing through only when being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, so remove equal or asymptotic Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope outside, the nonlinear ferroelectric magnetic property of ferromagnetic conductor produces slight influence to the power factor of temperature-limiting heater or does not exert an influence.When being lower than Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, provide the temperature-limiting heater of most of resistive thermal output to compare with ferromagnetic conductor wherein, even equaling or when asymptotic Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope, the impact of power factor is reduced.Therefore, less needs or do not need external compensation (for example variable condenser or waveform adjustment) with the variation of the inductive load of regulating temperature-limiting heater, thus keep relatively high power factor.

Figure 10 has described the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and wherein supporting member provides the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or most of thermal output of phase transition temperature scope.Core 226 is inner conductors of temperature-limiting heater.In some embodiments, core 226 is strong conductive materials, for example copper or aluminium.In some embodiments, the core 226 copper alloy copper of dispersion-strengtherning for example that provides mechanical strength and good electric conductivity.In one embodiment, core 226 is

(SCM Metal Products, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NorthCarolina, the U.S.).Ferromagnetic conductor 228 is the ferromagnetic material thin layers between electric conductor 232 and the core 226.In some embodiments, electric conductor 232 also is supporting member 230.In some embodiments, ferromagnetic conductor 228 is iron or ferroalloy.In some embodiments, ferromagnetic conductor 228 comprises the ferromagnetic material with high relative permeability.For example ferromagnetic conductor 228 can be the iron Armco ingot iron (AK Steel Ltd., Britain) for example of purifying.The relative permeability that contains the iron of some impurity is approximately 400 usually.By purifying iron has increased the relative permeability of iron make iron annealing under 1450 ℃ in hydrogen (H2).The relative permeability that increases ferromagnetic conductor 228 allows the thickness reduction of ferromagnetic conductor.For example the thickness of unpurified iron can be about 4.5mm, and the thickness of the iron behind the purifying is about 0.76mm.

In some embodiments, 232 pairs of ferromagnetic conductors 228 of electric conductor and temperature-limiting heater provide support.Electric conductor 232 can be made by the material that good mechanical strength is provided under the temperature of the Curie temperature that is close to or higher than ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope.In some embodiments, electric conductor 232 is corrosion resistant members.Electric conductor 232 (supporting member 230) can provide support and provide corrosion resistance to ferromagnetic conductor 228.Electric conductor 232 by height to and/or be higher than under the temperature of the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope and provide the material of required resistive thermal output to make.

In one embodiment, electric conductor 232 is 347H stainless steels.In some embodiments, electric conductor 232 is other conduction, good mechanical strength, corrosion-resistant material.For example electric conductor 232 can be 304H, 316H, 347HH, NF709,

800H alloy (Inco Alloys International, Huntington, West Virginia, the U.S.),

Alloy or

617 alloys.

In some embodiments, in the temperature-limiting heater different piece, electric conductor 232 (supporting member 230) comprises different-alloy.For example the electric conductor 232 of bottom (supporting member 230) is that the electric conductor (supporting member) on 347H stainless steel and top is NF709.In some embodiments, in electric conductor (supporting member) different piece, use different alloys to increase the mechanical strength of electric conductor (supporting member), keep simultaneously the required heating properties of temperature-limiting heater.

In some embodiments, in the temperature-limiting heater different piece, ferromagnetic conductor 228 comprises different ferromagnetic conductors.In the temperature-limiting heater different piece, can use different ferromagnetic conductors to change Curie temperature and/or phase transition temperature scope and the maximum operating temp that therefore changes in the different piece.In some embodiments, the Curie temperature on temperature-limiting heater top is lower than the Curie temperature of heater bottom.The low Curie temperature on top has increased the creep on heater top-breaking strength life-span.

In the described embodiment of Figure 10, the size of design ferromagnetic conductor 228, electric conductor 232 and core 226 is so that when temperature was lower than the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor and/or phase transition temperature scope, the skin depth of ferromagnetic conductor limited the penetration depth of most of current direction supporting member.Therefore, electric conductor 232 height to equal or temperature near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope under most of resistive thermal output of temperature-limiting heater is provided.In some embodiments, the temperature-limiting heater described in Figure 10 (for example external diameter is 3cm, 2.9cm, 2.5cm or less) does not use electric conductor 232 that the temperature-limiting heater of most of resistive thermal output is provided less than other.Temperature-limiting heater described in Figure 10 can be less, and this is because ferromagnetic conductor 228 is thinner with wherein providing the size of the required ferromagnetic conductor of the temperature-limiting heater of most of resistive thermal output to compare by ferromagnetic conductor.

In some embodiments, supporting member is different members with corrosion resistant member in temperature-limiting heater.Figure 11 and 12 has described the embodiment of temperature-limiting heater, and wherein chuck provides the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor and/or most of thermal output of phase transition temperature scope.In these embodiments, electric conductor 232 is chucks 224.The size of design electric conductor 232, ferromagnetic conductor 228, supporting member 230 and core 226 (among Figure 11) or inner conductor 216 (among Figure 12) is so that the skin depth of ferromagnetic conductor limits the penetration depth of the thickness of most of current direction chuck.In some embodiments, electric conductor 232 is corrosion-resistant and the material of resistive thermal output is provided when the Curie temperature that is lower than ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope.For example electric conductor 232 is 825 stainless steels or 347H stainless steel.In some embodiments, electric conductor 232 thickness less (for example being about 0.5mm).

In Figure 11, core 226 is for example copper or aluminium of strong conductive material.Supporting member 230 is 347H stainless steel or other at the material that equals or have good mechanical strength during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope.

In Figure 12, supporting member 230 is cores of temperature-limiting heater and is 347H stainless steel or other at the material that equals or have good mechanical strength during near the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic conductor 228 and/or phase transition temperature scope.Inner conductor 216 is for example copper or aluminium of strong conductive material.

Embodiment

The below provides non-limiting embodiment.

Figure 13 has described with respect to the ferrite of the temperature of ferroalloy TC3 (0.1wt% carbon, 5wt% cobalt, 12wt% chromium, 0.5wt% manganese, 0.5wt% silicon) and the experimental calculation of austenite wt% mutually.Curve 234 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 236 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 13, for this alloy, phase transformation is near Curie temperature but not overlapping with Curie temperature.

Figure 14 has described with respect to the ferrite of the temperature of ferroalloy FM-4 (0.1wt% carbon, 5wt% cobalt, 0.5wt% manganese, 0.5wt% silicon) and the experimental calculation of austenite wt% mutually.Curve 238 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 240 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 14, for this alloy, phase transformation broadening when not having chromium in the alloy, and phase transformation and Curie temperature are overlapping.

Use and calculate thermodynamics software (from Thermo-Calc Software, Inc. (McMurray, PA, the U.S.) ThermoCalc that obtains, with from Sente Software, Ltd. (Guildford, Britain) JMatPro of obtaining) calculate the Curie temperature (T of the multiple mixture of cobalt, carbon, manganese, silicon, vanadium and titanium _c) and transformation behavior, to predict other element effect, the ferrite of the Curie temperature of selected composition are transformed into the austenitic temperature (A of paramagnetism ₁) with under those temperature, exist mutually.Use in all calculating is that 700 ℃ EQUILIBRIUM CALCULATION FOR PROCESS temperature is to measure ferritic Curie temperature.As shown in table 1, along with the wt% increase of cobalt in the composition, T _cIncrease and A ₁Reduce; Yet T _cStill be higher than A ₁Measurable A when fully adding carbide formation vanadium, titanium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten ₁The increase of temperature.For example contain the carbide formation that to use about 0.5wt% in the alloy of about 0.1wt% carbon.Adding the carbide formation allows to replace Fe with the MC Carbide Phases ₃The C Carbide Phases.According to calculating, excessive vanadium be it seems can be to T _cExert an influence, and other excessive carbide formation reduces T _c

Table 1

Prepare several iron-cobalt alloys, provided their composition in the table 2.These casting alloys are processed to bar-shaped and thread, and have listed the measurements and calculations T of bar-shaped alloy _cBecause during heating and cooling, do not observe irreversible hysteresis effect, so use cooling and heating T _cThe average of measuring.As shown in table 2, calculate T _cWith measurement T _cUniformity be acceptable.

By wherein twine the torus technology acquisition measurement T of torus with sample material _cAlong half of length with thermocouple.

Table 2

Figure 15 has described Curie temperature (horizontal histogram) and the phase transition temperature scope (being filled with the vertical histogram of oblique line) of several ferroalloys.Hurdle 242 expression FM-2 iron-cobalt alloys.Hurdle 244 expression FM-4 iron-cobalt alloys.Hurdle 246 expression FM-6 iron-cobalt alloys.Hurdle 248 expression FM-8 iron-cobalt alloys.Hurdle 250 expressions contain the TC1410 stainless steel alloy of cobalt.Hurdle 252 expressions contain the TC2410 stainless steel alloy of cobalt.Hurdle 254 expressions contain the TC3410 stainless steel alloy of cobalt.Hurdle 256 expressions contain the TC4410 stainless steel alloy of cobalt.Hurdle 258 expressions contain the TC5410 stainless steel alloy of cobalt.As shown in Figure 15, iron-cobalt alloy (FM-2, FM-4, FM-6, FM-8) has the larger phase transition temperature scope overlapping with Curie temperature.410 stainless steel alloies (TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5) that contain cobalt have less phase transition temperature scope.The phase transition temperature scope of TC1, TC2 and TC3 is higher than Curie temperature.The phase transition temperature scope of TC4 is lower than Curie temperature.Therefore, the temperature-limiting heater of use TC4 can be defined in the temperature of the Curie temperature that is lower than TC4 certainly.

Figure 16-19 has described impact from alloy to iron-cobalt alloy that add.Figure 16 and 17 has described to iron-cobalt alloy and has added carbon.Figure 18 and 19 has described impact from titanium to iron-cobalt alloy that add.

Figure 16 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.4wt% manganese and austenite wt% mutually.Curve 260 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 262 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 16, for this alloy, phase transformation asymptotic Curie temperature but not overlapping with Curie temperature.

Figure 17 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.01% carbon and austenite wt% mutually.Curve 264 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 266 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 16 and 17, along with adding carbon to alloy, phase transformation broadening, and phase transformation begins to occur under lower temperature.Therefore, can add carbon with the appearance temperature of reduction phase transformation and the temperature range of broadening phase transformation to ferroalloy.

Figure 18 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.085% carbon and austenite wt% mutually.Curve 268 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 270 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 18, phase transformation and Curie temperature are overlapping.

Figure 19 has described the experimental calculation with respect to the ferrite that contains 5.63wt% cobalt, 0.4wt% manganese, 0.085% carbon and the temperature of the iron-cobalt alloy of 0.4% titanium and austenite wt% mutually.Curve 272 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 274 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 18 and 19, along with adding titanium to alloy, phase transformation narrows down, and phase transformation begins to occur under higher temperature.Therefore, can add titanium with the appearance temperature of rising phase transformation and the temperature range of phase transformation is narrowed down to ferroalloy.

Figure 20 has described with respect to the ferrite of the temperature of 410 stainless die alloys (0.5wt% manganese, 0.5wt% silicon, surplus is iron for 12wt% chromium, 0.1wt% carbon) and the experimental calculation of austenite wt% mutually.Curve 276 has been described the wt% of ferrite phase.Curve 278 has been described the wt% of austenite phase.The Curie temperature of arrow points alloy.As shown in Figure 20, along with the interpolation of chromium, Curie temperature reduces.

Use and calculate Curie temperature and the transformation behavior that thermodynamics software (ThermoCalc and JMatPro) calculates the multiple mixture of cobalt, carbon, manganese, silicon, vanadium, chromium and titanium, to predict that other element is to the Curie temperature (T of selected composition _c) effect and ferrite be transformed into the austenitic temperature (A of paramagnetism ₁).In calculating, all use 700 ℃ EQUILIBRIUM CALCULATION FOR PROCESS temperature.As shown in table 3, along with the wt% increase of cobalt in the composition, T _cIncrease and A ₁Reduce.As shown in table 3, add vanadium and/or titanium and increase A ₁Add vanadium and can allow in Curie's heater, to use more substantial chromium.

Table 3

Prepare several fe-cr alloys, provided their composition in the table 4.These casting alloys are processed to bar-shaped and thread, have listed the T that calculates _cWith the T that uses the torus commercial measurement _cAnd calorimetry value.

Table 4

Based on this manual, other of many aspects of the present invention improves and alternate embodiment will be apparent for those skilled in the art.Therefore, this manual should only be used for explanation and be used for the purpose that instruction those skilled in the art implement usual manner of the present invention.Be interpreted as currently preferred embodiments with the form of the present invention of describing shown in this paper.After benefiting from manual of the present invention, those of the replaceable this paper explanation of key element and material and description, parts and technique can be reversed, and can independently use features more of the present invention, and all these all are apparent for a person skilled in the art.In the situation of the spirit and scope that do not depart from claims description of the present invention, convertible element described herein.In addition, should understand in some embodiments and feature independence described herein ground can be made up.

Claims

1. heater comprises:

Heater segment, described heater segment contains iron, cobalt, chromium, vanadium and carbon;

The Curie temperature T of wherein said heater segment _cLess than phase transition temperature, and Curie temperature T _cBe at least 740 ℃; With

Wherein design described heater segment with when resistance is provided when heater segment applies time dependent electric current.

2. the heater of claim 1, wherein said heater segment contains titanium in addition.

3. claim 1 or 2 heater, wherein said heater segment contains manganese, nickel, silicon or their combination in addition.

4. claim 1 or 2 heater, wherein the content of iron is 50wt% at least in the heater segment.

5. claim 1 or 2 heater, wherein the content of cobalt is 2wt% at least in the heater segment.

6. the heater of claim 3, wherein said heater segment contain at the most 1wt% manganese, at the most 1wt% nickel, at the most 1wt% silicon, at the most 1wt% vanadium and 1wt% titanium at the most.

7. claim 1 or 2 heater, wherein said heater segment contain at least 50wt% iron, at least 6wt% cobalt, at least 9wt% chromium and 0.5wt% vanadium at least.

8. claim 1 or 2 heater wherein design described heater segment to equal or to approach and be higher than the heat that reduction is provided under the Curie temperature.

9. claim 1 or 2 heater, wherein said heater is arranged in subsurface formations.

10. claim 1 or 2 heater wherein design described heater to provide heat to subsurface formations.

11. the heater of claim 1 or 2 wherein designs described heater to provide heat to hydrocarbon containing formation so that the moving and/or pyrolysis of at least some hydrocarbon streams in the stratum.

12. the heater of claim 1 or 2, the Curie temperature T of wherein said heater segment _cBe at least 800 ℃.

13. the heater of claim 1 or 2, wherein said heater segment contain at least 50wt% iron, at least 9wt% chromium and 0.1wt% carbon at least.

14. the heater of claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of chromium is 11wt% at least in the heater segment.

15. each the method for heater heating hydrocarbon containing formation of a use such as claim 1-14, the method comprises:

Provide heater to the stratum; With

Provide electric current so that heater provides resistance heated at least a portion stratum to heater.

16. the method for claim 15 is included in addition and equals or approach and be higher than the heat that reduction is provided under the Curie temperature.

17. the method for claim 15 or 16 comprises to the stratum providing heat so that the moving and/or pyrolysis of at least some hydrocarbon streams in the stratum in addition.

18. the method for claim 15 or 16 comprises in addition from stratum production fluid.

19. one kind comprises right to use and requires each heater or the right to use composition that requires the hydrocarbon that each method of 15-18 produces from subsurface formations of 1-14.

20. one kind comprises from the transport fuel of the hydrocarbon of the composition production of claim 19.