US3982995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of converting oil shale into a fuel
Assignee: University of Southern California
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Filing: 1975-05-07
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Granted: 1976-09-28
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Expires: 1995-05-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method for converting oil shale into a fuel by contacting oil shale with a bacteria capable of producing an acid that will dissolve a portion of the inorganic lattice structure of oil shale which is thereby made porous or sponge-like in structure to expose combustible bitumen and kerogen therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Teh Fu Yen
- 👤 Milo Don Appleman
- 👤 John Eugene Findley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:33
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for the manufacture of bioleached oil shale from oil shale containing kerogen and bitumen bound by an inorganic matrix having a substantial acid soluble portion, the steps comprising: a. providing an aqueous bioleaching medium comprised of a bacteria or mixture of bacteria compatible with oil shale and capable of producing an acid that will neutralize and dissolve a substantial portion of the inorganic matrix of said oil shale, and providing a nutrient to promote the growth of said bacteria; b. incubating said bioleaching medium to promote the growth of said bacteria and thereby produce a continuous supply of acid; and c. contacting the oil shale with said incubated medium to dissolve only the acid soluble portion of the inorganic matrix and to convert said matrix into a porous sponge-like structure which exposes the kerogen and bitumen therein for combustion or for conversion into other fuels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for the manufacture of bioleached oil shale from oil shale containing kerogen and bitumen bound by an inorganic matrix having a substantial acid soluble portion, the steps comprising: a. providing an aqueous bioleaching medium comprised of a bacteria or mixture of bacteria compatible with oil shale and capable of producing an acid that will neutralize and dissolve a substantial portion of the inorganic matrix of said oil shale, and providing a nutrient to promote the growth of said bacteria; b. incubating said bioleaching medium to promote the growth of said bacteria and thereby produce a continuous supply of acid; and c. contacting the oil shale with said incubated medium to dissolve only the acid soluble portion of the inorganic matrix and to convert said matrix into a porous sponge-like structure which exposes the kerogen and bitumen therein for combustion or for conversion into other fuels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein deposits of oil shale are mined and crushed and immersed in a reactor containing said bioleaching medium which is incubated to produce said acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein deposits of oil shale are mined and crushed and placed in a reactor through which said incubated acid containing bioleaching medium is passed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein in situ deposits of oil shale are provided with fissures and cracks in which said bioleaching medium is introduced and incubated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bioleaching medium is flowed and incubated across the surface of in situ deposits of oil shale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acid producing bacteria are selected from the group consisting of: a. rumen, b. Ferrobacillus sulfooxidans,(also known as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) or c. The Thiobacillus family of bacteria.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acid producing bacterium is rumen which is contacted with said oil shale under anaerobic conditions, and wherein said nutrient is comprised of carbohydrates, phosphates, and nitrogenous materials which are metabolized by said bacteria to produce a mixture of organic acids comprised of formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acid producing bacterium is Ferrobacillus sulfooxidans and said nutrient comprises the dead cells of Thiobacillus, the metabolites produced by the cells of Thiobacillus, the components of Thiobacillus cells which have been subjected to lysis and solubilization, sulfates which may be produced from the neutralization of oil shale, pyrite iron, or any nutrient for any strain of Thiobacillus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acid producing bacteria is a member of the Thiobacillus family, and said nutrient comprises sulfur in a form which can be metabolized and oxidized by said bacteria to form sulfuric acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. thioxidans.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. concretivorous.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. sulfooxidans.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. ferrooxidans.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. thioparus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. intermedius.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. novellus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. thermitanus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. umbonatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. lobatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. crenatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bacterium is T. neopolitans.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said nutrient is elemental sulfur.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein a pyrite bacteria and a nutrient therefore are admixed with said bioleaching medium to produce sulfur from pyrite and in a form that can be oxidized and metabolized by said Thiobacillus bacteria.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said pyrite bacteria is a member of the Desulfovibrio family of bacteria and the nutrient for said pyritic reducing bacteria comprises the dead cells of Thiobacillus, the metabolites produced by Thiobacillus, the components of Thiobacillus cells which have been subjected to lysis and solubilization, or sulfates which may be produced from the neutralization of oil shale.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bacterium is D. sulfuricans.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bacterium is D. vulgaris.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bacterium is D. gigas.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bacterium is D. neopolitans.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bacterium is D. aestuari.
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) | 1979-09-28 | 1980-03-29 | 1980-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-28 | 1984-03-29 | 1984-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-28 | 1988-03-29 | 1988-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |