US4028222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for extracting oil from oil shale
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-02-23
•
Granted: 1977-06-07
•
Expires: 1996-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for extraction of oil from oil shale in which the shale is first crushed and then classified by a rotating trammel screen into four separate portions of differing longest particle dimension, namely less than 1/4 inch, less than 1/2 inch, less than 3/4 inch and greater than 3/4 inch, with the first three portions being treated while passing through the trammel screen and each portion then separately centrifuged under conditions of centrifuge speed, time and added heat optimal for shale particles of that size. The fourth portion is recrushed. The applied heat may be dry heat, dry steam or wet steam, and the temperature range lies between 200 degrees Farenheit and the flash point of the oil to be reextracted from the shale. Pressures ranging from atmospheric to slightly above atmospheric may be applied.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip Earl Prull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:26
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale comprising crushing said oil shale; classifying said crushed oil shale by particle size into at least two portions of differing range of particle size; heating said oil shale to a temperature sufficient to release oil therefrom and below the flash point of the oil released therefrom; and separately centrifuging each of said portions to remove liquid oil therefrom at a centrifuge speed and for a length of time selected for maximal efficiency of oil separation from said portion per unit of driving energy input to said centrifuge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale comprising crushing said oil shale; classifying said crushed oil shale by particle size into at least two portions of differing range of particle size; heating said oil shale to a temperature sufficient to release oil therefrom and below the flash point of the oil released therefrom; and separately centrifuging each of said portions to remove liquid oil therefrom at a centrifuge speed and for a length of time selected for maximal efficiency of oil separation from said portion per unit of driving energy input to said centrifuge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said steps of classifying said crushed oil shale and heating said crushed oil shale are carried out substantially simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said crushed oil shale is classified into at least four portions, one of said portions being of particle size approximately that passing a 1/4-inch mesh screen, a second of said portions being of particle size approximately that passing a 1/2-inch mesh screen and not passing a 1/4-inch mesh screen, a third of said portions being of particle size approximately that passing a 3/4-inch mesh screen and not passing a 1/2-inch mesh screen, and the fourth of said portions being of particle size approximately that not passing a 3/4-inch mesh screen, said fourth portion being recrushed and reclassified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said step of heating said crushed oil shale is carried out by application of dry heat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said step of heating said crushed oil shale is carried out by application of dry steam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said step of heating said crushed oil shale is carried out by application of wet steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 1 and wherein said step of heating said crushed oil shale is carried out at a temperature in excess of 200° Fahrenheit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 2 and wherein said step of classifying said crushed oil shale is carried out by a rotating trammel screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process for extraction of oil from oil shale as described in claim 3 and wherein said steps of classifying said crushed oil shale and heating said crushed oil shale are carried out substantially simultaneously, and said step of heating said crushed oil shale is carried out by application of dry heat, said crushed oil shale being heated to a temperature in excess of 200° Fahrenheit.
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) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |