Methods for minimizing plastic flow of oil shale during in situ retorting

Patent · Tue Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6395664

Lewis, A E; Mallon, R G

In an in situ oil shale retorting process, plastic flow of hot rubblized oil shale is minimized by injecting carbon dioxide and water into spent shale above the retorting zone. These gases react chemically with the mineral constituents of the spent shale to form a cement-like material which binds the individual shale particles together and bonds the consolidated mass to the wall of the retort. This relieves the weight burden borne by the hot shale below the retorting zone and thereby minimizes plastic flow in the hot shale. At least a portion of the required carbon dioxide and water can be supplied by recycled product gases.

• Assignee: Department of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4096912
• OSTI ID: 6395664
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 6 Jun 1977; Other Information: PAT-APPL-804,194
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
OIL SHALES
IN-SITU RETORTING
CARBON DIOXIDE
FLUID FLOW
WATER
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
040401* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified