US3948320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of in situ gasification, cooling and liquefaction of a subsurface coal formation
Assignee: In Situ Technology Inc
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Filing: 1975-03-14
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1995-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of liquefying a coal formation in situ wherein the coal formation has been preheated as by a coal gasification project, includes the steps of establishing injection and removal passages connecting the coal formation to the surface, injecting water having a temperature below the formation temperature into the formation to gradually lower the temperature of the formation while forming synthesis gas, injecting a solvent material, having the capability of dissolving the coal, into the formation after it has been reduced to the desired temperature, injecting synthesis gas into the formation to hydrogenate the coal, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of coal and solvent material from the formation as a synthetic crude oil.
Inventors
- 👤 Ruel C. Terry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location. gasifying the formation to create an outer layer of char on the coal, injecting water into the formation to react with the char to consume the char, injecting a fluid solvent material into the fomation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location. gasifying the formation to create an outer layer of char on the coal, injecting water into the formation to react with the char to consume the char, injecting a fluid solvent material into the fomation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of injecting synthesis gas (H 2 + CO) into the formation to provide extra hydrogen for hydrogenation of the coal as it is taken into solution by the solvent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of removing unreacted synthesis gas from the solution removed from the coal formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent material is a hydrogen donor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of removing any excess solvent from the solute removed from the coal formation.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, pressurizing the coal formation in the range of 15 to 1000 psig, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, pressurizing the coal formation in the range of 15 to 1000 psig, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough and wherein at least portions of the coal formation initially have a temperature in excess of 2500° Fahrenheit comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, injecting a cooling fluid having a temperature below 2500° Farenheit into the formation, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough and wherein at least portions of the coal formation initially have a temperature in excess of 2500° Fahrenheit comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, injecting a cooling fluid having a temperature below 2500° Farenheit into the formation, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said cooling fluid has a temperature below 800° F and is injected into the formation until the temperature of the formation is approximately 800° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said cooling fluid is water which reacts with the coal after being converted to steam to form synthesis gas (H 2 + CO).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the cooling fluid is water and wherein after the formation temperature drops below 1000° F, the resultant superheated stema produced in the formation is captured at the surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough and wherein the formation initially has a temperature in excess of 2500° Farenheit comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, pressurizing the coal formation in the range of 15 to 1000 psig, injecting a cooling fluid having a temperature below 2500° Farenheit into the formation, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of in situ production of a preheated coal formation having liquid permeable passages therethrough and wherein the formation initially has a temperature in excess of 2500° Farenheit comprising the steps of: establishing fluid injection and fluid removal passages connecting the coal formation to a surface location, pressurizing the coal formation in the range of 15 to 1000 psig, injecting a cooling fluid having a temperature below 2500° Farenheit into the formation, injecting a fluid solvent material into the formation having the capability of dissolving the coal, dissolving the coal with the solvent material, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of the dissolved coal and solvent from the formation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |