Patent ID: 6779606
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: E21B,F28D,F28F

Abstract:
A system for pre-heating downhole fluids returning from a well bore, the system comprising:a. a principal heat exchange vessel; b. an inlet for allowing a heat transfer media to circulate through the vessel through a plurality of heating fluid flow lines; c. a first outlet for flowing the heat transfer media from the vessel; d. a second inlet for introducing fluids returning from the well bore for receiving heat from the heat transfer media within the fluid flow lines in the vessel for pre-heating the downhole fluids to a desired temperature; e. an outlet for flowing the heated downhole fluids from the vessel to a solids removal system; f. means for flowing the downhole fluids from the solids removal system to the principal heat exchange vessel to be post-heated before returning down the well bore; and g. heating means for heating the heating fluid to a desired temperature before returning the heating fluid to the heat exchange vessel.