Shale retorting method and apparatus

Patent · Tue Nov 08 04:00:00 EST 1955

OSTI ID:5220343

Elliott, K M

A process is described for the recovery of shale oil from oil shale, which comprises feeding crushed raw oil shale to an elongated vertical retort, passing the shale downwardly through the retort while bringing it to ignition temperature. The resulting hot shale is contacted with a stream of oxygen-containing gas to effect combustion of combustible matter present. Hot vaporous products emitted from the heated shale flow upwardly through a zone wherein a gas seal is maintained in the retort by the introduction thereto of a high velocity gas stream. The vaporous products are passed upwardly from the zone and a portion thereof is condensed to liquid shale oil by contacting with cold, crushed, raw shale feed. A static pool of the liquid shale oil so obtained is maintained. The cold, crushed, raw shale, wet with oil, is passed through the gas seal zone, the introduction of the gas stream to the zone is sufficient to prevent the downward flow of the pool of liquid shale oil through the zone but insufficient to inhibit to downward passage of crushed oil shale therethrough. A stream of non-condensable gases and liquid shale oil is removed from the upper portion of the retort. A stream of spent shale is withdrawn from the lower portion of the retort.

• Assignee: Socony Mobil Oil Co., Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 2723225
• OSTI ID: 5220343
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040403* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Refining
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASES
HEATING
IGNITION
MINERAL OILS
OIL SHALES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
RETORTING
RETORTS
SHALE OIL
SYNTHETIC FUELS
SYNTHETIC PETROLEUM
VAPORS