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Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for heating and utilizing fluids by the use of vapor generators of the kind in which a flowing fuel/air mixture is combusted in the presence of a stream of feed water to produce a stream of steam and non-condensibles, preferably at low pressure. This hot stream is then heat exchanged with a stream of the fluid desired to be heated and utilized, to heat it to the level desired for use, including partly or completely vaporizing it, if the use so requires. The fluid may be divided into two or more streams during the heat exchange, with different amounts of heat delivered into each stream. Preferably, the heat exchange is so conducted as to condense the steam from the stream of steam and non-condensibles, and the condensate so formed is selectively recycled to the vapor generator as feed water. Also, disclosed are means for utilizing the stream of heated fluid, including high pressure hot water flooding of petroleum reservoirs, vaporization of LPG or propane for combustion, line heating of natural gas pipelines to avoid condensation therein, and line heating of heavy oil pipelines to promote flow.

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First Claim