US4319982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of processing oil-shale or tar sand
Assignee: Rheinbraun AG
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Filing: 1980-05-28
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 2000-05-28
Abstract
Abstract Oil-shale or tar sand is subjected to hydrogenating carbonization and the residue is passed into a combustion zone wherein residual coke in the residue is reacted with oxygen. At least part of the heat produced in the combustion zone is used to heat the hydrogen to be used for the carbonization step.
Inventors
- 👤 Ewald Meisenburg
- 👤 Karl-Heinz Keim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:50
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S208/00; Y10S208/951
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of retorting oil shale to produce shale oil in which crushed oil shale flows serially downward through at least a pre-heating zone, a retorting zone, and a combustion zone which comprises: (a) generating flue gas at an elevated temperature by burning in said combustion zone carbonaceous material on the spent oil shale from said retorting zone in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas introduced to said combustion zone; (b) withdrawing the flue gas from said combustion zone and recycling at least a portion thereof to said combustion zone; (c) introducing a hydrogen-containing gas to said retorting zone after heating same a sufficient amount to provide heat for retorting pre-heated oil shale; (d) said hydrogen-containing gas being heated by passage in indirect heat exchange with said flue gas withdrawn from said combustion zone; (e) withdrawing vaporous product from said retorting zone and cooling and condensing it to separate therefrom a gaseous product, a light liquid product, and a heavy oil containing fine shale particles; (f) introducing a portion of said gaseous product to said pre-heating zone after heating same a sufficient amount to pre-heat said oil shale; and (g) recycling at least a portion of said gaseous product withdrawn from said pre-heating zone to said pre-heating zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of retorting oil shale to produce shale oil in which crushed oil shale flows serially downward through at least a pre-heating zone, a retorting zone, and a combustion zone which comprises: (a) generating flue gas at an elevated temperature by burning in said combustion zone carbonaceous material on the spent oil shale from said retorting zone in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas introduced to said combustion zone; (b) withdrawing the flue gas from said combustion zone and recycling at least a portion thereof to said combustion zone; (c) introducing a hydrogen-containing gas to said retorting zone after heating same a sufficient amount to provide heat for retorting pre-heated oil shale; (d) said hydrogen-containing gas being heated by passage in indirect heat exchange with said flue gas withdrawn from said combustion zone; (e) withdrawing vaporous product from said retorting zone and cooling and condensing it to separate therefrom a gaseous product, a light liquid product, and a heavy oil containing fine shale particles; (f) introducing a portion of said gaseous product to said pre-heating zone after heating same a sufficient amount to pre-heat said oil shale; and (g) recycling at least a portion of said gaseous product withdrawn from said pre-heating zone to said pre-heating zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said temperature is from about 430° to 500° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressure is from about 30 to 40 bars.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the residence time of the oil-shale in the distillation zone is up to about 60 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein water vapour is additionally introduced into the carbonisation zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein carbon dioxide is additionally introduced into the carbonisation zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carbonisation products which have a boiling point of above about 400° C. are recycled to the carbonisation zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said gaseous product prior to being introduced to said pre-heating zone is heated by indirect heat exchange with the vaporous product withdrawn from said retorting zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said heavy oil containing fine shale particles is introduced to said retorting zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said high-burning heavy oil containing fine shale particles is introduced to said pre-heating zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of retorting tar sand to produce sand oil in which tar sand flows serially downward through at least a pre-heating zone, a retorting zone, and a combustion zone which comprises: (a) generating flue gas at an elevated temperature by burning in said combustion zone carbonaceous material on the spent tar sand from said retorting zone in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas introduced to said combustion zone; (b) withdrawing the flue gas from said combustion zone and recycling at least a portion thereof to said combustion zone; (c) introducing a hydrogen-containing gas to said retorting zone after heating same a sufficient amount to provide heat for retorting pre-heated tar sand; (d) said hydrogen-containing gas being heated by passage in indirect heat exchange with said flue gas withdrawn from said combustion zone; (e) withdrawing vaporous product from said retorting zone and cooling and condensing it to separate therefrom a gaseous product, a light liquid product, and a heavy oil; (f) introducing a portion of said gaseous product to said pre-heating zone after heating same a sufficient amount to pre-heat said tar sand; and (g) recycling at least a portion of said gaseous product withdrawn from said pre-heating zone to said pre-heating zone.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of retorting tar sand to produce sand oil in which tar sand flows serially downward through at least a pre-heating zone, a retorting zone, and a combustion zone which comprises: (a) generating flue gas at an elevated temperature by burning in said combustion zone carbonaceous material on the spent tar sand from said retorting zone in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas introduced to said combustion zone; (b) withdrawing the flue gas from said combustion zone and recycling at least a portion thereof to said combustion zone; (c) introducing a hydrogen-containing gas to said retorting zone after heating same a sufficient amount to provide heat for retorting pre-heated tar sand; (d) said hydrogen-containing gas being heated by passage in indirect heat exchange with said flue gas withdrawn from said combustion zone; (e) withdrawing vaporous product from said retorting zone and cooling and condensing it to separate therefrom a gaseous product, a light liquid product, and a heavy oil; (f) introducing a portion of said gaseous product to said pre-heating zone after heating same a sufficient amount to pre-heat said tar sand; and (g) recycling at least a portion of said gaseous product withdrawn from said pre-heating zone to said pre-heating zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said temperature is from about 430° to 500° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said pressure is from about 30 to 40 bars.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the residence time of the tar sand in the carbonisation zone is up to about 60 minutes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein water vapour is additionally introduced into the carbonisation zone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein carbon dioxide is additionally introduced into the carbonisation zone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the carbonisation products which have a boiling point of above about 400° C. are recycled to the carbonisation zone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 11 in which said gaseous product prior to being introduced to said pre-heating zone is heated by indirect heat exchange with the vaporous product withdrawn from said retorting zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 in which said heavy oil is introduced to said retorting zone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 in which said high-burning heavy oil is introduced to said pre-heating zone.
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) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |