US3601193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In situ retorting of oil shale
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
•
Filing: 1968-04-02
•
Granted: 1971-08-24
•
Expires: 1988-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Initiation and support of the in situ retorting of oil shale is accomplished by injecting the retorting fluid at a multiplicity of points along a substantially horizontal plane in the chimney created by a nuclear explosion. The retorting fluid is injected through an injection well extending generally horizontally in the chimney, preferably in the uppermost portion thereof. A series of such injection wells may be employed in order to provide for the distribution of the retorting fluid substantially across the cross-sectional area of the chimney.
Inventors
- 👤 Guido O Grady
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:37
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 in which said retorting fluid is injected into the upper portion of the chimney and shale oil is recovered from the lower portion of the chimney.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the injection wells are positioned in a parallel configuration across the width of the chimney.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 in which said generally horizontally extending injection wells cross one another so as to provide a multiplicity of injection points throughout the cross-sectional area of the chimney.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which the retorting fluid comprises the hot combustion products obtained by burning a combustible fluid with an oxygen-containing gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 in which said combustion products are formed above ground and are injected into the chimney through said injection wells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 in which said combustion products are formed below ground by burning the combustible fluid with an oxygen-containing gas after injection into said injection wells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 in which the retorting fluid comprises steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which the retorting fluid comprises a gas heated to at least retorting temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 in which said retorting fluid is injected into the chimney until a hot zone is established therein of sufficient temperature to support combustion and including the subsequent injection of an oxygen-containing gas through said injection wells to advance the hot zone through the chimney.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 in which the retorting fluid comprises chemical reactants injected into the chimney, said reactants being such that upon contact in the chimney a heat of reaction will be generated so as to furnish the heat necessary for retorting the fractured and crumbled shale in the chimney.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 in which the retorting fluid is injected sequentially through said injections wells positioned at more than one elevation in the chimney space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2975834A
Cited
US3024013A
Cited
US2974937A
Cited
US3017168A
Cited
US3228468A
Cited
US3223158A
Cited
US3233668A
Cited
US3342257A
Cited
US3270813A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |