In situ gasification of solid hydrocarbon materials in a subterranean formation

Patent · Tue May 31 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6552898

Redford, D A

Solid hydrocarbon materials present in subsurface earth formation, such as the coke-like residue remaining in a subterranean tar sand deposit which has previously been exploited by controlled oxidation depletion, is converted to a synthesis gas composition. This is done by contacting the solid hydrocarbon material with an oxygen-enriched gas or essentially pure oxygen and a moderating fluid such as water, steam or carbon dioxide to control the reaction temperature so as to insure the generation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen within the formation. The oxygen and steam or carbon dioxide may be injected as a mixture or simultaneously by separate injection means, or oxygen may be injected for intervals of time interrupted by brief periods of carbon dioxide, steam or water injection. The effluent is predominantly gaseous carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and lesser amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and liquid hydrocarbons. The mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen may be utilized directly as a fuel gas, or may be utilized as feed stock for petrochemical manufacturing processes. Carbon dioxide may be separated from the effluent gaseous mixture and recycled with steam into the formation. (16 claims)

• Assignee: Texaco Explor. Canada Ltd.
• Patent Number(s): US 4026357
• OSTI ID: 6552898
• 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
ALKANES
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS INJECTION
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
METHANE
NONMETALS
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RECYCLING
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES