US4029027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for generating heat
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1975-10-20
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Granted: 1977-06-14
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Expires: 1995-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for generating heat from retorted oil shale particles which are carrying a deposit of carbon wherein the particles are lifted upwardly in a heating chamber using a carrier gas and the carrier gas is controlled in relation to the particles so that at any given time during the lifting step a substantial amount of the particles fall downwardly for a finite distance thereby causing internal backmixing of the heated falling particles with relatively cooler rising particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:28
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/18; F; F23; F23B; F23B7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for generating heat from oil shale particles that carry a deposit of carbon, comprising providing an upstanding heating chamber, heating said particles in said chamber to cause combustion of said carbon, lifting said particles during said heating from a lower portion to an upper portion of said chamber using a carrier gas and removing a substantial majority of said particles from said upper portion of said chamber, controlling said carrier gas so that at any given time during said lifting step a substantial amount of said particles fall downwardly for a finite distance thereby causing internal backmixing of heated falling particles with relatively cooler rising particles, said backmixing taking place at varying locations over essentially the full length of said chamber between said lower and upper portions, said carrier gas being introduced into said chamber at a rate of a least 10 feet per second at a pounds of particles/cubic foot of carrier gas ratio of from about 2/1 to about 20/1, and said particles being predominantly less than 60 mesh.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for generating heat from oil shale particles that carry a deposit of carbon, comprising providing an upstanding heating chamber, heating said particles in said chamber to cause combustion of said carbon, lifting said particles during said heating from a lower portion to an upper portion of said chamber using a carrier gas and removing a substantial majority of said particles from said upper portion of said chamber, controlling said carrier gas so that at any given time during said lifting step a substantial amount of said particles fall downwardly for a finite distance thereby causing internal backmixing of heated falling particles with relatively cooler rising particles, said backmixing taking place at varying locations over essentially the full length of said chamber between said lower and upper portions, said carrier gas being introduced into said chamber at a rate of a least 10 feet per second at a pounds of particles/cubic foot of carrier gas ratio of from about 2/1 to about 20/1, and said particles being predominantly less than 60 mesh.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said carrier gas is controlled so that the amount of particles falling downwardly in said chamber at any given time is equivalent to at least about 1/3 by weight of the particles being fed into said chamber to undergo combustion therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of said particles after treatment in said chamber are returned by external means for retreatment in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said carrier gas is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a part of the heated particles leaving said chamber after undergoing combustion therein are returned to at least one point in the lower areas of said chamber to supply heat to the interior of said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said particles and carrier gas are preheated before entering said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said carrier gas is enriched with oxygen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said carrier gas is essentially oxygen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said chamber is artifically heated until combustion of said particles becomes self-sustaining after which said artificial heating is terminated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US1969501A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |