Patent USRE29553E successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
USRE29553E
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oil shale retort flue gas cooling and cleaning
Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc
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Filing: 1977-07-18
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1997-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A technique is provided for cooling the flue gas or off gas from the bottom of an in situ oil shale retort. The gas is collected in a conduit that has a vertical portion through which the gas flows upwardly. It is then withdrawn from the retort through a gas tight bulkhead. Water is sparged downwardly through the vertical portion of the conduit for cooling and cleaning the gas. Means are provided for draining the sparged water into a sump at the bottom of the retort wherein oil and water are collected. Water and oil are separated and the water may be recycled for additional cooling.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Burton, III
- 👤 Gordon B. French
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/001; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16; E21C41/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for cleaning and cooling flue gas from an in situ oil shale retort comprising: a tunnel at the bottom of the retort; a sump in the floor of the tunnel for collecting oil and water from the retort; a gas tight bulkhead in the tunnel beyond the sump for preventing escape of flue gas from the retort; a conduit for collecting flue gas from the bottom of the retort having at least a vertical portion in the tunnel through which collected flue gas flows upwardly and a portion passing through the bulkhead for withdrawing flue gas from the retort; a sparger .[.at the top of.]. .Iadd.in .Iaddend.the vertical portion of the conduit for spraying water downwardly through the vertical portion countercurrent to the flue gas; and means for draining the sparged water into the sump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for cleaning and cooling flue gas from an in situ oil shale retort comprising: a tunnel at the bottom of the retort; a sump in the floor of the tunnel for collecting oil and water from the retort; a gas tight bulkhead in the tunnel beyond the sump for preventing escape of flue gas from the retort; a conduit for collecting flue gas from the bottom of the retort having at least a vertical portion in the tunnel through which collected flue gas flows upwardly and a portion passing through the bulkhead for withdrawing flue gas from the retort; a sparger .[.at the top of.]. .Iadd.in .Iaddend.the vertical portion of the conduit for spraying water downwardly through the vertical portion countercurrent to the flue gas; and means for draining the sparged water into the sump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the vertical portion of the conduit is inside the bulkhead over the sump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a closed stub above the vertical portion of the conduit and wherein the sparger is in the closed stub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: means for removing oil and water from the sump; means for separating the oil and water; and means for recirculating the water to the sparger.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of cooling and cleaning flue gas from an in situ oil shale retort having a top air inlet, a bottom flue gas outlet, a sump at the bottom for collecting oil and water from the retort, and means for gas sealing the bottom of the retort comprising the steps of: collecting flue gas in a conduit adjacent the bottom of the retort inside the means for gas sealing; passing the collected flue gas upwardly; spraying water downwardly countercurrent to the upwardly flowing flue gas; withdrawing the flue gas through the means for gas sealing; and draining the water into the sump.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of cooling and cleaning flue gas from an in situ oil shale retort having a top air inlet, a bottom flue gas outlet, a sump at the bottom for collecting oil and water from the retort, and means for gas sealing the bottom of the retort comprising the steps of: collecting flue gas in a conduit adjacent the bottom of the retort inside the means for gas sealing; passing the collected flue gas upwardly; spraying water downwardly countercurrent to the upwardly flowing flue gas; withdrawing the flue gas through the means for gas sealing; and draining the water into the sump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as defined in claim 5 further comprising the steps of: removing oil and water from the sump. separating the oil and water; and recirculating the separated water for the spraying step. .Iadd. 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the sparger is located at the top of the vertical portion of the conduit. .Iaddend.
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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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |