US4245701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for igniting an in situ oil shale retort
Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc
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Filing: 1979-06-12
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for conducting such method are disclosed for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort. The method is conducted by forming a hole through unfragmented formation to the fragmented mass. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the hole. A fuel is introduced into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass. The fuel and oxygen-containing gas mix forming a combustible mixture which is ignited for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass. The hot gas generated in the combustion zone is conducted from the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlon C. Chambers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:09
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23M; F23M9/00; F23M9/08; E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/02; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; F23D; F23D11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation, the lower end of the hole being above the fragmented mass; introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; introducing a fuel into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole above the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole from the lower end of the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation, the lower end of the hole being above the fragmented mass; introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; introducing a fuel into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole above the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole from the lower end of the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fuel comprises a liquid fuel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fuel comprises shale oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the oxygen-containing gas is swirled in the hole for mixing with the fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the oxygen-containing gas is swirled by introducing oxygen-containing gas tangentially to the hole imparting a counterclockwise vortical flow to the oxygen-containing gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fuel comprises liquid shale oil sprayed into a portion of the hole from an axially centered nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein oxygen-containing gas is introduced by withdrawing gas from the fragmented mass, thereby drawing oxygen-containing gas into the hole.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for igniting an in situ oil shale retort comprising: fuel supply pipe means; means connected to the outside of the pipe means a substantial distance from the end of the pipe means for imparting vortical flow to gas flowing along the length of the pipe means; a nozzle on the end of the pipe means for spraying a liquid fuel; and means connected to the pipe means adjacent the nozzle for axially centering the nozzle in a bore hole, the means for centering being about the same width as the means for imparting vortical flow.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for igniting an in situ oil shale retort comprising: fuel supply pipe means; means connected to the outside of the pipe means a substantial distance from the end of the pipe means for imparting vortical flow to gas flowing along the length of the pipe means; a nozzle on the end of the pipe means for spraying a liquid fuel; and means connected to the pipe means adjacent the nozzle for axially centering the nozzle in a bore hole, the means for centering being about the same width as the means for imparting vortical flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the means for imparting vortical flow comprises a vortex plate connected to the pipe means having flow passages therethrough and a plurality of vanes extending generally radially and skewed relative to the axis of the pipe means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the means for centering comprises a plurality of spring legs extending generally radially from the pipe means and also along the length of the pipe means for elastically engaging the walls of a bore hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising means extending along the pipe means and in proximity to the nozzle for providing ignition to the fuel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the means for providing ignition comprises an igniter pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the pipe means comprises a support pipe encircling a fuel supply pipe.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation to the fragmented mass; introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; spraying liquid shale oil from an axially centered nozzle into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation to the fragmented mass; introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; spraying liquid shale oil from an axially centered nozzle into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation to the fragmented mass; withdrawing gas from the fragmented mass for drawing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; introducing a fuel into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for igniting a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale comprising the steps of: forming a hole through unfragmented formation to the fragmented mass; withdrawing gas from the fragmented mass for drawing an oxygen-containing gas into the hole; introducing a fuel into a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass for forming a combustible mixture with the oxygen-containing gas; igniting the combustible mixture for establishing a combustion zone in a portion of the hole spaced apart from the fragmented mass, whereby at least a portion of the wall of the hole adjacent the combustion zone is heated; and conducting hot gas from the combustion zone in the hole into the fragmented mass for heating a portion of the fragmented mass above an ignition temperature of oil shale.
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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) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |