US4109718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of breaking shale oil-water emulsion
Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc
•
Filing: 1976-11-01
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Granted: 1978-08-29
•
Expires: 1996-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A technique is described for breaking the very strong emulsion of shale oil and water produced by an in situ oil shale retorting process so that separate shale oil and water phases can be recovered. The emulsion is broken by heating it to a temperature of at least about 120° F. and holding at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F. for about one day. Preferably the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 150° F. for about one day and the phases separated by gravity. Heat for the process can be obtained by injecting water into a spent in situ oil shale retort for generating steam and transferring heat from the steam to the emulsion.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Burton, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247; E21B43/34; E21B43/40; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16; E21C41/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 150° F for about one day.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; and providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; and providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 4 wherein the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 180° F for about one day.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; and heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam for providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; and heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam for providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a suberranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a suberranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 7 wherein the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 180° F for about one day.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam; and retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam; and retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
158 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing liquid and gaseous products including shale oil, water vapor being present in the retorting zone; condensing at least a portion of such water vapor on unretorted particles in the fragmented mass on the advancing side of the retorting zone whereby an emulsion of shale oil and water is produced; withdrawing liquid and gaseous products including such emulsion of shale oil and water from the fragmented mass; and providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 10 wherein the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 180° F for about one day.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; and heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam for providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; and heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam for providing sufficient heat to maintain the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° to 180° F until shale oil and water are substantially separated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
130 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale and producing shale oil, and wherein water vapor is present in the retorting zone and an emulsion of shale oil and water forms on the advancing side of the retorting zone; withdrawing shale oil and water emulsion from the in situ oil shale retort on the advancing side of the retorting zone; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
130 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale and producing shale oil, and wherein water vapor is present in the retorting zone and an emulsion of shale oil and water forms on the advancing side of the retorting zone; withdrawing shale oil and water emulsion from the in situ oil shale retort on the advancing side of the retorting zone; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 13 wherein the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130° to 180° F for about one day.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale and producing shale oil, and wherein water vapor is present in the retorting zone and an emulsion of shale oil and water forms on the advancing side of the retorting zone; withdrawing shale oil and water emulsion from the in situ oil shale retort on the advancing side of the retorting zone; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: advancing a retorting zone through the fragmented permeable mass for retorting oil shale and producing shale oil, and wherein water vapor is present in the retorting zone and an emulsion of shale oil and water forms on the advancing side of the retorting zone; withdrawing shale oil and water emulsion from the in situ oil shale retort on the advancing side of the retorting zone; injecting water into a spent shale retort for generating steam; heating the emulsion of shale oil and water with the generated steam and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature of at least about 120° F for at least about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° F to 180° F for about one day for separating shale oil and water.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process for recovering shale oil from an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, said in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale, comprising the steps of: retorting oil shale in the fragmented permeable mass and producing an emulsion of shale oil and water; and holding the shale oil and water at a temperature in the range of from about 120° F to 180° F for about one day for separating shale oil and water.
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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) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |