Steam Generation Assembly For Foul Fluids Or Fluids Having Impurities

Abstract

A steam generation assembly is provided for producing steam with foul or unclean fluids for use in operations. The heat is transferred to the foul fluid from a clean steam flowing through a tube bundle and is circulated through a closed loop steam generation system. The tube bundle extends within an outer shell that collects the foul fluid for heat transfer. Outer shell includes a larger volume below the tube bundle than convention heat exchangers so that any particulates and emulsions can gather below the tube bundle rather than attaching or forming on its surface.

That claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steam generation assembly, comprising:
 an outer shell having an open end portion and a closed end portion positioned opposite from the open end portion, the closed end portion having a larger circumference than the open end portion with the outer shell having an enlarging section near the open end portion that increases in circumference while extending farther from the open end portion;   a bundle of tubes that extends into the outer shell, the bundle of tubes extending from a connector assembly that is connected to the open end portion of the outer shell, the bundle of tubes receiving steam substantially free of impurities from a connector assembly inlet and delivering cooled fluid to a connector assembly outlet after the steam communicates through the bundle of tubes;   an inlet port formed in an upper surface of the outer shell that is offset from an axis of the bundle of tubes, the inlet port communicates a fluid having impurities, such impurities being greater than the steam provided to the connector assembly inlet, into the outer shell for conversion to steam through heat transfer with the bundle of tubes;   an outlet port formed at an uppermost surface of the outer shell to receive and communicate steam from the outer shell; and   a drainage port formed in the lowermost surface of the outer shell to communicate liquid from the outer shell.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein fluid within the outer shell is maintained below a highest liquid level, the highest liquid level being lower than the inlet port. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein fluid within the outer shell is maintained at a normal liquid level that is below a highest liquid level, the highest liquid level being lower than the inlet port. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 3 , wherein normal liquid level is above a highest portion of the bundle of tubes such that the bundle of tubes is submerged. 
     
     
         5 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein fluid within the outer shell is maintained at a normal liquid level that is below a highest liquid level through selectively communicating the fluid having impurities through the inlet port and liquid through the drainage port. 
     
     
         6 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an access port formed in the outer end portion of the outer shell, the access port being large enough for an operator to enter the outer shell during workover operations. 
     
     
         7 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly is connected to the open end portion of the outer shell with a flange connection. 
     
     
         8 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further comprises an axis extending from the open end portion to the closed end portion. 
     
     
         9 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bundle of tubes extends coaxially through the outer shell with an axis of the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of the bundle of tubes is offset from an axis of the outer shell. 
     
     
         11 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the axis of the bundle of tubes is above the axis of the outer shell such that a volume of fluid carried within the outer shell below the bundle of tubes is increased. 
     
     
         12 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bridle formed in the outer shell for positioning a sensor to monitor steam generation within the outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . A steam generation assembly, comprising:
 an outer shell having an open end portion and a closed end portion positioned opposite from the open end portion, the closed end portion having a larger circumference than the open end portion with the outer shell having an enlarging section near the open end portion that increases in circumference while extending farther from the open end portion;   a bundle of tubes that extends into the outer shell, the bundle of tubes extending from a connector assembly that is connected to the open end portion of the outer shell, the bundle of tubes receiving steam substantially free of impurities from a connector assembly inlet and delivering cooled fluid to a connector assembly outlet after the steam communicates through the bundle of tubes;   a liquid carried within the outer shell, the liquid having more impurities than the steam provided to the connector assembly inlet, liquid having a highest liquid level and a normal liquid level, the highest and normal liquid levels both being above the bundle of tubes such that the bundle of tubes is fully submerged in the liquid during operation;   an inlet port formed in an upper surface of the outer shell that is offset from an axis of the bundle of tubes, the inlet port communicates a fluid into the outer shell wherein any liquid in the fluid combines with the liquid carried within the outer shell, into the outer shell for conversion to steam through heat transfer with the bundle of tubes;   an outlet port formed at an uppermost surface of the outer shell to receive and communicate steam from the outer shell; and   a drainage port formed in the lowermost surface of the outer shell to communicate liquid from the outer shell.   
     
     
         14 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein fluid within the outer shell is maintained at the normal liquid level that is below the highest liquid level through selectively communicating the fluid having impurities through the inlet port and liquid through the drainage port. 
     
     
         15 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising an access port formed in the outer end portion of the outer shell, the access port being large enough for an operator to enter the outer shell during workover operations. 
     
     
         16 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the connector assembly is connected to the open end portion of the outer shell with a flange connection. 
     
     
         17 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the outer shell further comprises an axis extending from the open end portion to the closed end portion. 
     
     
         18 . The steam generation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the bundle of tubes extends coaxially through the outer shell with an axis of the outer shell. 
     
     
         19 . A method for generating steam, comprising:
 (a) providing an outer shell having an open end portion and a closed end portion positioned opposite from the open end portion, the closed end portion having a larger circumference than the open end portion with the outer shell having an enlarging section near the open end portion that increases in circumference while extending farther from the open end portion;   (b) communicating a fluid into the outer shell through an inlet port formed in an upper surface of the outer shell;   (c) extending a bundle of tubes into the outer shell from a connector assembly that is connected to the open end portion of the outer shell;   (d) collecting the fluid in the outer shell with any liquid in the fluid covering the bundle of tubes;   (e) communicating steam that is substantially free of impurities to the bundle of tubes from a connector assembly inlet;   (f) transforming the liquid in the outer shell to vapor by transferring the heat from the steam to the liquid in the outer shell by communicating the steam from the connector assembly inlet through the bundle of tubes;   (g) delivering cooled fluid from the bundle of tubes a connector assembly outlet after the steam communicates through the bundle of tubes;   (h) communicating the vapor from the outer shell though an outlet port formed at an uppermost surface of the outer shell; and   (i) maintaining the liquid at a level below the highest liquid level with a drainage port formed in the lowermost surface of the outer shell by communicating liquid from the outer shell.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the liquid in the outer shell is separated at all times from the steam and cooled fluid carried within the bundle of tubes.