Liquid seal for production level bulkhead for in situ oil shale retort
An in-situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale. During retorting, oxygen-supplying gas is introduced into an upper level of the fragmented mass for establishing a combustion zone and for advancing the combustion zone through the fragmented mass. Liquid and gaseous products, including shale oil and off gas, are withdrawn from a sealed portion of a production level drift which extends laterally away from the lower level of the fragmented mass. A bulkhead sealed across the drifit inhibits passage of off gas from behind the bulkhead to the portion of the drift on the side of the bulkhead opposite the fragmented mass. Off gas, shale oil and water are separately withdrawn from behind the bulkhead. A liquid level is maintained against the srface of the bulkhead facing the fragmented mass to seal the lower edge of the bulkhead and the drift floor adjacent the bulkhead against the passage of off gas through any rock fissures which can be present in the floor of the drift.
- Assignee:
- Occidental Oil Shale, Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4181362
- OSTI ID:
- 5327773
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 11 Sep 1978
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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