Method and system for producing inert gas from combustion by-products

Abstract

Methods and systems for using inert rich gas for a variety of applications can include a source of combustion byproducts and a separation system for separating inert and non-inert substances in the combustion byproducts. These methods and systems can be used in applications including, but not limited to, well construction, drilling, well maintenance, enhanced recovery techniques, shipboard inerting, pipeline servicing, the suppression of coal mine fires, and other applications.

1 . A method for suppressing a fire in a coal mine comprising operating an air fuel engine so as to produce exhaust gas and shaft power, directing at least a portion of the exhaust gas through a separation device configured to separate at least one inert fluid from other fluids in the exhaust gas, and directing the at least one inert fluid into a coal mine in which a fire is burning.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  additionally comprising applying the shaft power from the air fuel engine to a compressor and compressing the exhaust gas with the compressor.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  additionally comprising directing the compressed exhaust gas from the compressor to the separation device.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  additionally comprising adjusting a purity of the at least one inert fluid by adjusting a back pressure of the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  additionally comprising adjusting a purity of the at least one inert fluid by adjusting a speed of the air fuel engine.  
   
   
       6 . A method for delivering an inert fluid to a well comprising operating and air fuel engine so as to generate exhaust gas and shaft power, separating at least one inert fluid from at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine and injecting the at least one inert fluid into a well.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  additionally comprising directing at least a portion of the shaft power from the air fuel engine to a compressor and compressing at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine with the compressor.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7  additionally comprising directing the compressed exhaust gas from the compressor to a separation device.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 6  additionally comprising separating the at least one inert fluid from the exhaust gas with a membrane separation device.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 6  additionally comprising performing under balanced drilling on the well while injecting the at least one inert fluid into the well.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the step of injecting comprises injecting the at least one inert fluid and a pressure and volumetric flow rate sufficient to enhance recovery of a hydrocarbon from the well.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the step of injecting comprises injecting the at least one inert fluid at a pressure and a volumetric flow rate sufficient to stimulate the well.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the step of injecting comprises injecting the at least one inert fluid at a pressure and a volumetric flow rate sufficient to clean out the well and thereby carry formation debris out of the well.  
   
   
       14 . A method of suppressing reactions in a cargo container on a ship comprising operating an air fuel engine so as to generate exhaust gas and shaft power, separating at least one inert fluid from the exhaust gas with a separation device, and injecting the at least one inert fluid into a cargo container on the ship.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14  additionally comprising storing at least one of a chemical, crude oil, and liquid natural gas in the cargo container.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14  additionally comprising driving a compressor with the shaft power from the air fuel engine and compressing the exhaust gas with the compressor.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14  additionally comprising directing a flue gas from the ship into the separation device.  
   
   
       18 . A method of injecting an inert fluid into a conduit or pressure vessel comprising operating an air fuel engine so as to produce shaft power and exhaust gas, separating at least one inert fluid from the exhaust gas, and injecting the least one inert gas into at least one of a conduit and a pressure vessel.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein the step of injecting comprises supplying the at least one inert fluid into a pipe at a sufficient pressure and volumetric flow rate to displace at least a second fluid within the pipe.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19  additionally comprising inserting a plugged into the pipe and wherein the step of injecting further comprises injecting the at least one inert fluid at a pressure and volumetric flow rate sufficient to move the plug through the pipeline so as to displace the second fluid.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19  additionally comprising adjusting a dew point of the at least one inert fluid to about −40° F.  
   
   
       22 . A system for suppressing a fire in a coal mine comprising an air fuel engine configured to produce an exhaust gas through combustion of air and a fuel as well as shaft power, an exhaust system through which exhaust gas from the air fuel engine is guided away from the engine, a separation device connected to the exhaust system of the air fuel engine and configured to separate at least one inert gas from the exhaust gas, and at least one conduit extending from the separation device to a coal mine in which a fire is burning and configured to direct the at least one inert gas from the separation device to the fire in the coal mine.  
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 22  additionally comprising a compressor driven by the shaft power from the engine, the compressor being configured to compress the exhaust gas and supply compressed exhaust gas to the separation device.  
   
   
       24 . A system for delivering an inert fluid to a well comprising an air fuel engine configured to generate exhaust gas through the combustion of air and a fuel and configured to generate shaft power, a separation device configured to separate at least one inert fluid from the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine, and a conduit connecting the separation device with a well so as to inject the at least one inert fluid from the separation device into the well.  
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claim 24  additionally comprising a compressor driven by the shaft power from the engine and configured to compress the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine and deliver compressed exhaust gas to the separation device.  
   
   
       26 . A system for suppressing reactions in a cargo container on a ship comprising an air fuel engine configured to generate shaft power and exhaust gas through the combustion of air and a fuel, a separation device configured to separate at least one at inert gas from the exhaust gas from the air fuel engine, and at least one conduit connecting the separation device with a cargo container on a ship, the conduit being configured to guide the at least one inert gas to the cargo container.  
   
   
       27 . The system according to  claim 26 , where in the separation device is configured to separate nitrogen gas from the exhaust gas.