US3784462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for oil shale retorting
Assignee: Cities Service Research and Development Co
•
Filing: 1971-02-25
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus are disclosed for the continuous steady state retorting of ground oil shale in the absence of air. Retorting is accomplished by countercurrently contacting heated spent oil shale with fresh ground oil shale in a vessel from which air is excluded. The spent oil shale is heated by combustion of its carbonaceous residue to form a hot heat transfer medium which, when contacted with fresh oil shale in the retorting process, provides the energy for the recovery of hydrocarbons.
Inventors
- 👤 G Frick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:21
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 in which: a. the spent oil shale is heated by combustion of its carbonaceous residue, and b. the heated spent oil shale is comingled with fresh oil shale in the retorting vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 2 in which the comingling is accomplished through introduction of the heated spent oil shale countercurrent to the introduction of fresh oil shale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 3 in which the combustion of the spent oil shale is achieved by contacting the spent oil shale with air to form hot flue gases and heated spent oil shale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 4 further comprising recovering the heat content of the hot flue gases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for the retorting of oil shale comprising: a. a retorting vessel having a hydrocarbon discharge and spent oil shale discharge; b. a hydrocarbon fractionator connected to the hydrocarbon discharge of the retorting vessel; and c. means for introducing heated spent oil shale into the retorting vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for introducing hot spent oil shale comprise: a. a spent oil shale combustor; b. means for introducing spent oil shale from the spent oil shale discharge of the retorting vessel into the combustor; and c. means responsive to the temperature of the retorting vessel for introducing heated spent oil shale into the retorting vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the means for introducing spent oil shale into the combustor comprise: a. an inert gas lifter connected to the spent oil shale discharge of the retorting vessel; and b. a spent oil shale disengager, connected to the combustor, fed spent oil shale by the inert gas lifter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a. a vapor condenser connected to the disengager to receive the inert lift gas and condense normally liquid compounds contained therein; and b. a gas-liquid separator connected to the condenser to separate the normally liquid compounds from the inert gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a. means for purging hot spent oil shale from the combustor; and b. means for reclaiming heat from the hot flue gases produced in the combustor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3093571A
Cited
US3167494A
Cited
US3573197A
Cited
US3597347A
Cited
US3617466A
Cited
US3565751A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |