Method and apparatus for monitoring the position and movement progress of the flame front in an underground combustion
An underground combustion operation in which combustible material, in a selected geologic formation at a selected depth, is burned by forcing air under pressure down a first well into the formation, and collecting products of combustion at a second well, a selected distance away from the first well. The overburden above the formation is supported, in part, by the combustible material, which might be viscous oil, tar, etc. This material is ignited at the first well and a flame front is formed which burns in the form of a circular front, which moves radially outwardly as a function of time and the rate of air supply. A plurality of electronic tilt meters are positioned at or near the surface of the earth, in at least one linear array directed along the radius from the first well to the second well. Combustion air is provided and the outputs of the tilt meters are amplified and recorded as a function of time. As the flame front progresses, the overburden behind the front will slump, which will be selected by a corresponding slump and tilting of the earth surface, which will be reflected in the corresponding readings of the tilt meters.
- Assignee:
- M D Wood Inc
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4281713
- OSTI ID:
- 6163748
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Jul 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
MONITORING
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU RETORTING
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COMBUSTION WAVES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
OVERBURDEN
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
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FOSSIL FUELS
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OXIDATION
PROCESSING
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RETORTING
SURVEYS
THERMAL RECOVERY
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