US3598182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for in situ distillation and hydrogenation of carbonaceous materials
Assignee: Justheim Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1967-04-25
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1987-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of carbonaceous materials wherein hot hydrogen is introduced into the carbonaceous material in sufficient quantity and at sufficient temperature to concurrently release and distill the hydrocarbon content. Preferred apparatus for practicing the method includes a source of hydrogen, means for varying the temperature of the hydrogen, an underground cavern in the carbonaceous material, and temperature modulating means at the face of the shale for regulating the temperature temperature of the hydrogen.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence I Justheim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:55
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/295; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of carbonaceous material in situ, which comprises the steps of introducing into such a carbonaceous material substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature high enough to crack and fissure an area of the carbonaceous material beyond the point of introduction of said hydrogen; thereafter regulating the temperature of the hydrogen to continue its introduction into the carbonaceous material at a lower temperature sufficient to release the hydrocarbon content of the material as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of carbonaceous material in situ, which comprises the steps of introducing into such a carbonaceous material substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature high enough to crack and fissure an area of the carbonaceous material beyond the point of introduction of said hydrogen; thereafter regulating the temperature of the hydrogen to continue its introduction into the carbonaceous material at a lower temperature sufficient to release the hydrocarbon content of the material as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials, in situ, comprising a source of substantially pure hydrogen; an underground cavern in which humans can work formed in a deposit of material to be treated; means for transporting the hydrogen from the source to the face of the deposit defining the cavern; means for modulating the temperature of said hydrogen to maintain the hydrogen at the face at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous materials; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the application of said hydrogen to said face of the deposit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials, in situ, comprising a source of substantially pure hydrogen; an underground cavern in which humans can work formed in a deposit of material to be treated; means for transporting the hydrogen from the source to the face of the deposit defining the cavern; means for modulating the temperature of said hydrogen to maintain the hydrogen at the face at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous materials; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the application of said hydrogen to said face of the deposit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials, in situ, comprising a source of substantially pure hydrogen; an underground cavern formed in a deposit of material to be treated; means for transporting the hydrogen from the source to the face of the deposit defining the cavern; a heat exchanger through which the hydrogen is passed for modulating the temperature of said hydrogen to maintain it at the face of the deposit at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous material; a thermostat at the face of the deposit; means for changing the effect of said heat exchanger on the hydrogen passed therethrough in response to the temperature sensed by the thermostat; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the application of said hydrogen to said face of the deposit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials, in situ, comprising a source of substantially pure hydrogen; an underground cavern formed in a deposit of material to be treated; means for transporting the hydrogen from the source to the face of the deposit defining the cavern; a heat exchanger through which the hydrogen is passed for modulating the temperature of said hydrogen to maintain it at the face of the deposit at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous material; a thermostat at the face of the deposit; means for changing the effect of said heat exchanger on the hydrogen passed therethrough in response to the temperature sensed by the thermostat; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the application of said hydrogen to said face of the deposit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, further including an insulated room in the cavern; an access hole extending from the ground surface to the room; and an access door allowing individual movement from within said room to the face of the deposit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, further including means for supplying purging gas through the means for transporting hydrogen from the source to the face of the deposit prior to the supplying of hydrogen therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, further including means for recycling unconsumed hydrogen recovered with the distilled and hydrogenated products.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of carbonaceous material in situ, which comprises the steps of purging the carbonaceous material by the introduction thereinto of an inert gas; introducing into the purged carbonaceous material substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature adapted to release the hydrocarbon content of the material as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of carbonaceous material in situ, which comprises the steps of purging the carbonaceous material by the introduction thereinto of an inert gas; introducing into the purged carbonaceous material substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature adapted to release the hydrocarbon content of the material as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of oil shale in situ, which comprises the steps of applying substantially pure hydrogen to an exposed face of the Shale at a temperature sufficient to fissure the shale as the heat front advances, but not high enough to cause fusion of the shale; introducing into the fissured shale substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature adapted to release the hydrocarbon content thereof as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of oil shale in situ, which comprises the steps of applying substantially pure hydrogen to an exposed face of the Shale at a temperature sufficient to fissure the shale as the heat front advances, but not high enough to cause fusion of the shale; introducing into the fissured shale substantially pure hydrogen at a temperature adapted to release the hydrocarbon content thereof as a vapor; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature at which the hydrogen is applied is at least 2,000* F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the hot hydrogen is supplied by a nuclear reactor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials in situ, comprising a heat exchanger; means for passing substantially pure hydrogen through said heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a thermal fluid; means for introducing the hydrogen into an underground deposit of carbonaceous material; temperature responsive means within said underground deposit; means for modulating the temperature of the hydrogen for maintaining it at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous material; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the introduction of the hydrogen into the carbonaceous material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for distilling and hydrogenating the carbonaceous content of carbonaceous materials in situ, comprising a heat exchanger; means for passing substantially pure hydrogen through said heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a thermal fluid; means for introducing the hydrogen into an underground deposit of carbonaceous material; temperature responsive means within said underground deposit; means for modulating the temperature of the hydrogen for maintaining it at a desired temperature for distillation of the carbonaceous material; and means for recovering distilled and hydrogenated products resulting from the introduction of the hydrogen into the carbonaceous material.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of a carbonaceous material in situ, comprising the steps of heating substantially pure hydrogen to a temperature sufficient to release the hydrocarbon content of said carbonaceous material as a vapor; introducing said heated hydrogen into the carbonaceous material in the natural unheated state of said material; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with the heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of distilling and hydrogenating the hydrocarbon content of a deposit of a carbonaceous material in situ, comprising the steps of heating substantially pure hydrogen to a temperature sufficient to release the hydrocarbon content of said carbonaceous material as a vapor; introducing said heated hydrogen into the carbonaceous material in the natural unheated state of said material; and recovering fluid products produced by reaction of the hydrogen with the heat-released hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 wherein hydrogen released from the carbonaceous material is collected and circulated with the unconsumed hydrogen introduced into the carbonaceous material from a source independent of the said carbonaceous material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 further including the steps of condensing the vapor products to form useful oil products; separating extraneous gases from unconsumed hydrogen; and recycling the unconsumed hydrogen into the carbonaceous material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the temperature of the hydrogen is modulated prior to introduction in accordance with the release temperature of the hydrocarbon vapors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein hydrogen is introduced in excess of the stoichiometric amount necessary to react with the oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur present in the kerogen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the excess hydrogen is recycled in continued application of the process.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |