US4184547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Situ mining of fossil fuel containing inorganic matrices
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1978-04-17
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Granted: 1980-01-22
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Expires: 1998-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering underground fossil fuel deposits retained in an inorganic matrix wherein the deposit is contacted with an aqueous medium of anaerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to produce particles of the deposit containing both the organic fossil fuel and inorganic matrix of a size capable of forming a slurry with the aqueous medium for pumping to the ground surface. At the ground surface, the particulates are separated from the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms, the particulates further processed by efficient surface techniques to separate the organic carbon and hydrocarbon component from the inorganic matrix. The aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms is recycled to the underground fossil fuel deposit for further production of the slurry forming particles of the deposit. Spent inorganic matrix may be added to the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to provide solid support and nutrient for the organisms and to maintain the desired pH. Such use of the spent inorganic matrix provides a useful service for the waste from the organic carbon and hydrocarbon recovery process. The anaerobic organisms may also form gaseous hydrocarbons during contact with the underground fossil fuel deposit.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Klass
- 👤 Sambhunath Ghosh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:03
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; E; E21; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16; E21C41/24; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A process for recovering underground fossil fuel deposits retained in an inorganic matrix comprising: contacting said deposit with an aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms under mesophilic or thermophilic temperature conditions for a time sufficient to produce particles of said deposit of a size capable of forming a slurry with said aqueous medium and to produce gaseous hydrocarbons from the organic components of said deposit; pumping said aqueous slurry containing said organisms and particulates of organic fossil fuel and inorganic matrix to the ground surface; separating said particulates from the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms, the particulates being further processed to separate the organic carbon and hydrocarbon component from the inorganic matrix; recycling said aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to the underground fossil fuel deposit for further production of particles of said deposit; and removing said gaseous hydrocarbons from said deposit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A process for recovering underground fossil fuel deposits retained in an inorganic matrix comprising: contacting said deposit with an aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms under mesophilic or thermophilic temperature conditions for a time sufficient to produce particles of said deposit of a size capable of forming a slurry with said aqueous medium and to produce gaseous hydrocarbons from the organic components of said deposit; pumping said aqueous slurry containing said organisms and particulates of organic fossil fuel and inorganic matrix to the ground surface; separating said particulates from the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms, the particulates being further processed to separate the organic carbon and hydrocarbon component from the inorganic matrix; recycling said aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to the underground fossil fuel deposit for further production of particles of said deposit; and removing said gaseous hydrocarbons from said deposit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said gaseous hydrocarbons are removed from said deposit by a flushing gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said flushing gas is hydrogen containing gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said hydrogen containing gas comprises up to about 30 to 40 mole-percent hydrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said recovered gaseous hydrocarbons are utilized for heat and energy in associated surface treatment processes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said recovered gaseous hydrocarbons are principally methane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said deposit is contacted with an aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms under thermophilic temperature conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein spent inorganic matrix is added to said aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to provide solid support and nutrient for said anaerobic organisms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said spent inorganic matrix provides a pH in said slurry of about 6.5 to about 7.8.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms and spent inorganic matrix nutrient is intermittently recycled to the underground fossil fuel deposit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the deposit temperature is about 20° C. to about 80° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the deposit temperature is about 30° C. to about 60° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of anaerobic organisms in the aqueous medium is about 0.01 to about 25 wt. percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fossil fuel deposit is oil shale.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fossil fuel deposit is tar sand.
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) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |