Patent ID: 9243482
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: C02F,E21B,F28F,Y02A

Claim Text:
1. A steam supply apparatus for enhanced oil recovery comprising: a water treatment apparatus comprising an inlet for receiving contaminated water from an oil field and an outlet for providing purified water; a water circulating apparatus for receiving the purified water and for providing steam for injection into the oil field; the water circulating apparatus further comprising: a buffer having an inlet and outlet and defining a volume in fluid communication between the water treatment apparatus and the water heater, the buffer volume sized to be effective to maintain purified water flow to the water heater for a predetermined time period in the event a valve is closed between the water treatment apparatus and the buffer volume, terminating flow of purified water from the water treatment apparatus, the buffer volume being a predetermined time lag multiplied by a water production by the water treatment apparatus at its rated capacity; a blowdown outlet from the separator for communicating a blowdown flow; and a pre-heater in fluid communication with the blowdown flow and the water outlet from the water treatment apparatus for heat exchange there between, wherein the pre-heater is downstream of the blowdown flow, the buffer volume , and the water outlet from the water treatment apparatus.