Title: Insitu hydrogenation of hydrocarbons in underground formations

Abstract: A process and system for insitu hydrogenation employing a gas generator in a borehole for burning a hydrogen-rich mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas generator comprises a housing forming a chamber with a combustion zone at one end and a restricted outlet at the other end. Hydrogen and oxygen are supplied downhole to the generator to form a hydrogen-rich combustible mixture in the combustion zone which is burned whereby hydrogen and steam are injected from the restricted outlet. The flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the generator is controlled to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gases at a level sufficient to crack the hydrocarbons in the formation into lighter segments for reaction with the excess hot hydrogen to form lighter and less viscous end products which are recovered from a production well.

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Inventors: Hamrick, Joseph T. (Roanoke, VA, US)
Rose, Leslie C. (Rocky Mount, VA, US)

Application Number: 726745
Filing Date: 1976-09-27
Publication_date: 1977-09-27
Assignee: World Energy Systems (Fort Worth, TX)
Primary Class(es): 166/303 166/53, 166/59, 166/64, 166/65.1, 166/72, 166/267
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2506853	May, 1950	Berg et al.	166/59.
2584606	Feb, 1952	Merriam et al.	166/59.
2734578	Feb, 1956	Walter	166/302.
2887160	May, 1959	DePriester et al.	166/59.
3084919	Apr, 1963	Slater	166/266.
3254721	Jun, 1966	Smith	166/59.
3327782	Jun, 1967	Hujsak	166/261.
3456721	Jul, 1969	Smith	166/59.
3595316	Jul, 1971	Myrick	166/303.
3598182	Aug, 1971	Justheim	166/267.
3680635	Aug, 1972	Berry et al.	166/59.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Novosad, Stephen J.
Assistant Examiner: Suchfield, George A.
Attorney: Wofford, Felsman, Fails & Zobal