Patent ID: 6705425
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: E21B,F02G,G01V

Abstract:
A regenerative combustion device, comprising:a combustion zone comprising a space at least partially bounded by a subterranean surface of a well; chemicals contained within the combustion zone, having a first equilibrium state, and a second combustible state; means for transforming the chemicals from the first equilibrium state to the second combustible state; and an igniter configured to ignite the chemicals in the second combustible state, wherein the chemicals in the first equilibrium state comprise an aqueous solution of water and an electrolyte and the chemicals in the second combustible state comprise gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen and wherein combustion products of the ignition are contained within the combustion zone, and the chemicals are selected such that the combustion products substantially reversibly transform into the chemicals in the first equilibrium state following combustion.