US3698478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retorting of nuclear chimneys
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1969-12-10
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Granted: 1972-10-17
•
Expires: 1989-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Oil-yielding rubble in a nuclear chimney is preconditioned for retorting by forming a generally vertical column of coke-like rubble therein. The mass of rubble in the chimney is then retorted by introducing a hot heating medium. Hydrocarbons educed from the rubble can be recovered in any suitable manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry W Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said stratum is an oil shale formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said heating medium comprises a hot hydrocarbon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said heating medium is steam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
A method according to claim 1, said method comprising, in combination, the steps of: a. providing a first bore hole communicating with the upper portion of said chimney; b. providing a second bore hole communicating with the lower portion of said chimney; c. providing a first electrode disposed in the upper portion of said rubble; d. providing a second electrode disposed in the lower portion of said rubble; e. flowing a liquid electrolyte downwardly through said rubble in a relatively narrow, generally vertical path; f. thereafter, passing an electric current between said electrodes and through the rubble therebetween so as to vaporize said electrolyte, heat said rubble and release hydrocarbons therefrom, and form a relatively narrow, generally vertical column of permeable, at least partially retorted, coke-like rubble between said electrodes; g. terminating the flow of electric current between said electrodes; h. thereafter, retorting said mass of rubble by passing a heating medium therethrough in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to heat said mass of rubble and educe hydrocarbons from said mass of rubble; and i. recovering said educed and released hydrocarbons from said chimney.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said stratum is an oil shale formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said heating medium comprises hot shale gases recovered from the retorting of said mass of rubble.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said heating medium comprises superheated steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said heating medium comprises a hot hydrocarbon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3233668A
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US3342257A
Cited
US3316020A
Cited
US3349848A
Cited
US3521709A
Cited
US3537528A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |