Patent US4411939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3586377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3586377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of retorting oil shale in situ
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1969-06-10
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-06-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a process for the recovery of oil from an underground, unmined zone of oil shale. Access is obtained at at least two points in the zone, which can be, for example, in a shallow zone, near the top and bottom of the zone, communication is established between the access means, and at least part of the oil shale zone is fragmented. The heat of retorting is supplied through one of the access means, as by a gas, and the pyrolyzed oil is recovered from the other access means.
Inventors
- 👤 Rex T Ellington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:24
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247; E21B43/2405; E21B43/25; E21B43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the establishing of communication between said access means includes establishing a cavity in the zone intermediate the access means and proximate to one of said access meaNs in which it is in communication and establishing communication between said cavity and the other of said access means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fragmenting is performed using explosives.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heating means is a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 4 wherein a second porous mass of fragmented oil shale is formed in another area of communication contiguous to the first porous mass and the gas from the first mass is transferred through the second porous mass to thereby preheat the second porous mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the first porous mass is heated to a retorting temperature of from about 500* F. to 1,200* F. and the second porous mass is preheated to a temperature of from about 200* to 400* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oil shale in the zone is fragmented with two porous masses in the area of the communication separated by an unfragmented area of the communication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pyrolyzed oil shale is treated with an aqueous solution to recover soluble mineral values contained in the pyrolyzed shale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the mineral values include quartz, dolomite and dawsonite, the aqueous solution is an alkaline solution, and the pyrolyzed shale is treated with the alkaline solution at a temperature of up to about 220* F. to dissolve aluminum values in said dawsonite without substantial precipitation of SiO2.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |