Curtis B Howard

US Patent:

40881873, May 9, 1978

Filed:

Apr 21, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/789391

Inventors:

Curtis E. Howard - Porter TX
Douglas G. Calvin - Missouri City TX

Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

E21B 4700

US Classification:

166264

Abstract:

Two methods and a steam sampler are disclosed for sampling steam, as at any desired depth in a steam injection well for determining the quality of the saturated steam just prior to penetrating the formation. The sampler comprises an elongated cylindrical vessel with a tube having openings extending longitudinally internally of the vessel for forming an annulus between the vessel and the tube for trapping steam water droplets while ejecting the steam vapor. The tube has a suitable number of staggered perforated baffles thereon for closing the top of the annulus for preventing loss of the water droplets due to vapor flashing when pressure is bled off for recovery at the surface. A method for sampling and a method for forming a sampler are disclosed. Thus, a simpler, stronger sampler with no moving parts and new and improved methods are disclosed.

US Patent:

42692113, May 26, 1981

Filed:

Feb 5, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/009196

Inventors:

Curtis E. Howard - Porter TX
Douglas G. Calvin - Missouri City TX

Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY

International Classification:

G05D 1102
G05D 1108

US Classification:

137 2

Abstract:

A method for equalizing the steam quality in a plurality of branch lines of a high pressure steam pipeline, as a tee joint comprises dividing the flow of steam entering the tee joint into the two branch lines with a perforated baffle plate rotatable in response to a steam quality determining means in each branch line. A steam manifold distribution system is disclosed including a mechanism for retracting a perforated baffle plate into a pressure equalizer chamber for removal, repair, or replacement of the baffle plate. The pressure equalizer chamber may be positioned on and fixedly attached to the tee joint in the field in any position between co-axial with one of the branch lines of the tee joint and perpendicular thereto. A new method for assembly of a steam manifold distribution system is likewise disclosed.