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US3924680A
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US
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Method of pyrolysis of coal in situ
Assignee: In Situ Technology Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-23
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1995-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of pyrolysis of coal in situ includes the steps of establishing a pair of passages between a sub-surface coal formation and the surface with the coal passages being adapted to separately remove liquids and gases from the coal formation, establishing a sump at the bottom of the passages which extends at least partially below the coal formation to receive liquid volatile material released from the formation, and heating the coal formation so that initially tars in the formation will migrate radially until they go beyond the heated area whereupon they will solidify and form a hermetic barrier around the zone to be pyrolyzed to confine gaseous liquid volatile materials released from the coal as a result of the pyrolysis. The released gaseous materials can then flow to the surface through one of the passages and the liquid volatile material can flow into the sump and be pumped to the surface through the other passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Ruel C Terry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A METHOD OF PYROLYSIS OF COAL IN SITU COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: ESTABLISHING A HERMETICALLY SEALED PASSAGE BETWEEN A SUBSURFACE COAL FORMATION AND A SURFACE LOCATION WHEREIN SAID PASSAGE INCLUDES MEANS FOR REMOVING BOTH LIQUIDS AND GASES FROM THE COAL FORMATION, HEATING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE COAL FORMATION. DRIVING FLUID TARS IN THE COAL WHICH ARE MOBILIZED BY THE HEAT OUTWARDLY FROM THE HEATED PORTION AND ALLOWING THEM TO SOLIDIFY IN LOWER TEMPERATURE PORTIONS OF THE COAL FORMATION TO DEFINE A FLUID IMPERVIOUS BARRIER AROUND THE HEATED PORTION, AND
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A METHOD OF PYROLYSIS OF COAL IN SITU COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: ESTABLISHING A HERMETICALLY SEALED PASSAGE BETWEEN A SUBSURFACE COAL FORMATION AND A SURFACE LOCATION WHEREIN SAID PASSAGE INCLUDES MEANS FOR REMOVING BOTH LIQUIDS AND GASES FROM THE COAL FORMATION, HEATING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE COAL FORMATION. DRIVING FLUID TARS IN THE COAL WHICH ARE MOBILIZED BY THE HEAT OUTWARDLY FROM THE HEATED PORTION AND ALLOWING THEM TO SOLIDIFY IN LOWER TEMPERATURE PORTIONS OF THE COAL FORMATION TO DEFINE A FLUID IMPERVIOUS BARRIER AROUND THE HEATED PORTION, AND
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: establishing a cavity in the coal formation in fluid communication with said passage, said cavity extending at least partially below the coal formation, and pumping liquid volatile material released from the heated coal which has flowed into said cavity out of said cavity to a surface location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of establishing two distinct passages between the coal formation and the surface whereby liquids and gases can be transferred separately from the coal formation to the surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 further including the step of establishing fluid permeable channels in the coal formation to facilitate the flow of gaseous and liquid fluids released from the coal during pyrolysis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said cavity is established so as to be of a larger cross-sectional area than said passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coal formation is heated by burning a second coal formation beneath said first mentioned coal formation to supply heat to the first mentioned coal formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pressure in the coal formation zone defined by said barrier is controlled by relieving the pressure at the surface end of said passage.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of pyrolysis of coal in situ comprising the steps of: establishing a hermetically sealed passage between a subsurface coal formation and a surface location wherein said passage includes means for removing both liquids and gases from the coal formation, heating at least a portion of the coal formation, injecting a thermo-setting sealant material into the formation through said passage and allowing the sealant to flow radially from the passage until it sets up to form a barrier around said portion of the formation, and allowing gaseous volatile material released from the heated coal to be removed through said passage and flow to a surface location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of pyrolysis of coal in situ comprising the steps of: establishing a hermetically sealed passage between a subsurface coal formation and a surface location wherein said passage includes means for removing both liquids and gases from the coal formation, heating at least a portion of the coal formation, injecting a thermo-setting sealant material into the formation through said passage and allowing the sealant to flow radially from the passage until it sets up to form a barrier around said portion of the formation, and allowing gaseous volatile material released from the heated coal to be removed through said passage and flow to a surface location.
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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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |