Gas seal for an in situ oil shale retort and method of forming thermal barrier

Patent · Tue Feb 16 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5487741

Burton, R S

A gas seal is provided in an access drift excavated in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The access drift is adjacent an in situ oil shale retort and is in gas communication with the fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale formed in the in situ oil shale retort. The mass of formation particles extends into the access drift, forming a rubble pile of formation particles having a face approximately at the angle of repose of fragmented formation. The gas seal includes a temperature barrier which includes a layer of heat insulating material disposed on the face of the rubble pile of formation particles and additionally includes a gas barrier. The gas barrier is a gas-tight bulkhead installed across the access drift at a location in the access drift spaced apart from the temperature barrier.

• Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4315657
• OSTI ID: 5487741
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DECOMPOSITION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASES
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
OIL SHALES
OPENINGS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
RETORTS
SEALS
THERMAL INSULATION
VENTILATION BARRIERS