US4449586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil shale
Assignee: Honeywell UOP LLC
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Filing: 1982-06-11
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Granted: 1984-05-22
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Expires: 2002-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A process for the recovery of hydrocarbonaceous oil from oil shale is disclosed. The process comprises: (a) heating the shale in the presence of a gas comprising hydrogen sulfide at subcritical conditions of said gas including a temperature from about 650 DEG F. to about 825 DEG F. to produce a solvent extractable material and to liberate at least a first portion of the hydrocarbon contained therein; and (b) contacting the resulting solvent extractable material with a normally-liquid solvent at subcritical, reflux conditions of said solvent to liberate at least a second portion of the hydrocarbon contained in the solvent extractable material.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Urban
- 👤 Russell W. Johnson
- 👤 Lee Hilfman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:39
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil shale containing hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) heating said shale in the presence of a gas comprising hydrogen sulfide at subcritical conditions of said gas including a temperature from about 650° F. to about 825° F. to produce a solvent extractable material and to liberate at least a first portion of the hydrocarbon contained therein; and (b) contacting the resulting solvent extractable material with a normally-liquid solvent at subcritical, reflux conditions of said solvent to liberate at least a second portion of the hydrocarbon contained in said solvent extractable material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil shale containing hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) heating said shale in the presence of a gas comprising hydrogen sulfide at subcritical conditions of said gas including a temperature from about 650° F. to about 825° F. to produce a solvent extractable material and to liberate at least a first portion of the hydrocarbon contained therein; and (b) contacting the resulting solvent extractable material with a normally-liquid solvent at subcritical, reflux conditions of said solvent to liberate at least a second portion of the hydrocarbon contained in said solvent extractable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises toluene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises benzene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises toluene and benzene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent comprises a hydrocarbon fraction recovered from coal, oil shale, tar sand or petroleum crude oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said hydrocarbon fraction recovered from coal, oil shale, tar sand or petroleum crude oil is hydrotreated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said subcritical, reflux conditions include a pressure from about atmospheric to about 2000 psig and a temperature from about 900° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said subcritical, reflux conditions include a pressure from about atmospheric to about 500 psig and a temperature from about 100° F. to about 600° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) is maintained at said temperature from about 0.1 to about 10 hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) is conducted at a pressure from about atmospheric to about 500 psig.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) is conducted at a pressure from about atmospheric to about 100 psig.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said gas comprising hydrogen sulfide contains hydrogen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
A process for the in situ recovery of hydrocarbons from oil shale containing hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) heating said shale in the presence of gas comprising hydrogen sulfide at subcritical conditions of said gas including a temperature from about 650° F. to about 825° F. to produce a solvent extractable material and to liberate at least a first portion of the hydrocarbon contained therein; and (b) contacting the resulting solvent extractable material from step (a) with a normally-liquid solvent at subcritical, reflux conditions of the solvent including a temperature from about 100° F. to about 900° F. and a pressure from about atmospheric to about 2000 psig to liberate at least a second portion of the hydrocarbon contained in the solvent extractable material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
123 words
A process for the in situ recovery of hydrocarbons from oil shale containing hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) heating said shale in the presence of gas comprising hydrogen sulfide at subcritical conditions of said gas including a temperature from about 650° F. to about 825° F. to produce a solvent extractable material and to liberate at least a first portion of the hydrocarbon contained therein; and (b) contacting the resulting solvent extractable material from step (a) with a normally-liquid solvent at subcritical, reflux conditions of the solvent including a temperature from about 100° F. to about 900° F. and a pressure from about atmospheric to about 2000 psig to liberate at least a second portion of the hydrocarbon contained in the solvent extractable material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said gas comprising hydrogen sulfide contains hydrogen.
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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) | 1987-05-22 | 1987-11-21 | 1988-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-22 | 1991-11-21 | 1992-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-22 | 1995-11-21 | 1996-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |