Wellsite inert gas generator

Abstract

A wellsite inert gas injector, comprising an internal combustion engine, a gas processing system connected to receive low pressure exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, a compressor within the gas processing system, the compressor having a low pressure inlet for receiving exhaust gases and the compressor having a high pressure outlet; and coil tubing connected to the high pressure outlet of the gas processing system. The gas processing system preferably comprises one or more of a particulate filter, exhaust cooler and exhaust separator in series, and in that order before the compressor.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A wellsite inert gas injector, comprising: 
 an internal combustion engine;    a gas processing system connected to receive low pressure exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine;    a pump within the gas processing system, the pump having a low pressure inlet for receiving exhaust gases and the pump having a high pressure outlet; and    coil tubing connected to the high pressure outlet of the gas processing system.    
     
     
         2 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the pump is a compressor and the gas processing system comprises an exhaust cooler.  
     
     
         3 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the pump is a compressor and the gas processing system comprises an exhaust separator.  
     
     
         4 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the pump is a compressor and the gas processing system comprises a particulate filter.  
     
     
         5 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the gas processing system comprises a particulate filter, exhaust cooler and exhaust separator in series, followed by a compressor.  
     
     
         6 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the pump is a compressor and the gas processing system comprises a particulate filter followed by an exhaust cooler and exhaust separator.  
     
     
         7 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 6  in which the exhaust cooler is followed by the exhaust separator.  
     
     
         8 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 1  in which the coiled tubing comprises: 
 a first tubing string connected to the high pressure outlet;  
 a second tubing string running parallel to the first tubing string and having an opening for entry of fluid at a remote end from the high pressure outlet; and  
 a venturi connecting the second tubing string to the first tubing string such that, in operation, passage of fluid through the venturi from the first tubing string draws production fluid into the second tubing string.  
 
     
     
         9 . The wellsite inert gas generator of  claim 8  in which the first tubing string is disposed within the second tubing string.