Systems and methods for oxidation of hydrocarbon gases

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods wherein a dilute hydrocarbon stream can be oxidized to impart added energy to a power production system. The oxidation can be carried out without substantial combustion of the hydrocarbons. In this manner, dilute hydrocarbon streams that would otherwise be required to undergo costly separation processes can be efficiently utilized for improving the power production system and method. Such systems and methods particularly can utilize dilute hydrocarbon stream including a significant amount of carbon dioxide, such as may be produced in hydrocarbon recovery process, such as enhanced oil recovery or conventional hydrocarbon recovery processes.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for heating a stream, the method comprising:
 compressing a stream comprising CO 2  to form a compressed stream comprising CO 2   ;      firstly, heating the compressed stream comprising CO 2  in a recuperator heat exchanger with heat withdrawn from a stream of combustion products arising from combustion of a first fuel source; and   secondly, heating the compressed stream comprising CO 2  with heat obtained by oxidizing, without substantial combustion, a second fuel source that is a dilute hydrocarbon stream, said oxidizing being carried out separate from the combustion of the first fuel source.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the concentration of hydrocarbons in the dilute hydrocarbon stream is below the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the hydrocarbons in the dilute hydrocarbon stream are catalytically oxidized. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the compressed stream comprising CO 2 , after being firstly and secondly heated, is passed through a combustor wherein the first fuel is combusted with oxygen to form the stream of combustion products. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the stream of combustion products is expanded in a turbine to produce power before being passed to the recuperator heat exchanger. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the dilute hydrocarbon stream is added to the compressed stream comprising CO 2  before the compressed stream comprising CO 2  is input to the recuperator heat exchanger. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the hydrocarbons in the dilute hydrocarbon stream are oxidized within the recuperator heat exchanger. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the hydrocarbons in the dilute hydrocarbon stream are oxidized in a further heat exchanger. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the dilute hydrocarbon stream is combined with the compressed stream comprising CO 2  in the recuperator heat exchanger. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the dilute hydrocarbon stream is input to an oxidation reactor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a reaction stream exiting the oxidation reactor is input to the recuperator heat exchanger. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a reaction stream exiting the oxidation reactor is input to a turbine for power production.