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

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5487741

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
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 17 Mar 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-131398
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English