초록 ▼

An apparatus and method produces nitrate ions on-site from water, natural gas and air extracted in proximity to the apparatus. The apparatus generates nitrate ions and brings the nitrate ions into contact with an aqueous system. Hydrogen sulfide present in the aqueous system is removed and the produ

An apparatus and method produces nitrate ions on-site from water, natural gas and air extracted in proximity to the apparatus. The apparatus generates nitrate ions and brings the nitrate ions into contact with an aqueous system. Hydrogen sulfide present in the aqueous system is removed and the production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is eliminated by introducing into the system nitrate ions, whereby denitrifying microorganisms, using nitrate, outcompete the sulfate-reducing bacteria for the available carbon nutrients, thus preventing the SRB from producing hydrogen sulfide. Nitrate ions generated by the apparatus and added to the aqueous system which contains the denitrifying microorganisms can enhance oil recovery by means of microbial enhanced oil recovery mechanisms.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A facility where nitrate ions are produced on-site and brought into contact with an aqueous system used to inject a water solution into an oil reservoir, comprising: (A) an integrated system that is comprised of (i) an extraction device for extracting water and natural gas pr

What is claimed is: 1. A facility where nitrate ions are produced on-site and brought into contact with an aqueous system used to inject a water solution into an oil reservoir, comprising: (A) an integrated system that is comprised of (i) an extraction device for extracting water and natural gas present in proximity to said facility and extracting oxygen and nitrogen from ambient air present at the facility, and (ii) a chemical reactor for processing and reacting said extracted water, natural gas, oxygen and nitrogen to form nitrate ions; and (B) a delivery device, physically interconnecting said integrated system to said aqueous system, capable of continuously delivering said nitrate ions into contact with the aqueous system. 2. The facility of claim 1, further comprising a controller that is operably connected to each of said extraction device, said chemical reactor and said delivery device and which is configured to control speed and volume of the nitrate production. 3. The facility of claim 1, wherein the extraction device further comprises a pump for acquiring a fluid selected from at least one of water and natural gas; a compressor for compressing air and an air separator, connected to the compressor, for producing nitrogen from the compressed air. 4. The facility of claim 1, wherein the chemical reactor comprises: an ammonia reactor configured to carry out a process that reacts and processes nitrogen, oxygen, water and natural gas to reduce nitrogen to ammonia; and a chemical reactor configured to carryout a process that reacts and processes ammonia to obtain nitric oxides, nitric acid and nitrate-nitrite salts. 5. The facility of claim 1, wherein the delivery device further comprises (i) an aqueduct, extending from the integrated system to the aqueous system, and (ii) a pump for moving said ions through the aqueduct to the aqueous system. 6. The facility of claim 2, further comprising a sensor, operably connected to the controller, for monitoring the concentration of said ions in the aqueous system. 7. The facility of claim 1, wherein the integrated system further comprises skids or wheels for transporting the integrated system. 8. The facility of claim 1, wherein the size of the integrated system is modified to corresponds to the facility requirements. 9. A facility in which nitrate ions are produced on-site and brought into contact with an aqueous system used to inject a water solution into an oil reservoir, comprising: (A) an integrated system that is comprised of (i) an extraction device for extracting water and natural gas in proximity to said facility and extracting oxygen and nitrogen from ambient air at the facility, and (ii) a chemical reactor for processing and reacting said water, natural gas, oxygen and nitrogen to form nitrate ions; (B) a delivery device, physically interconnecting said integrated system to said aqueous system, capable of continuously delivering said ions into contact with the aqueous system; (C) a controller that is operably connected to each of said extraction device, said chemical reactor, and said delivery device and which is configured to control speed and volume of the nitrate ion production; and (D) a sensor, operably connected to the controller, for monitoring the concentration of said ions in the aqueous system.