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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Producing oil from nuclear-produced chimneys in oil shale

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6708538

A process is described for the in situ production of oil, with hot gases from broken shale in nuclear chimneys formed in oil shale. Oil is produced from first and second spaced-apart explosion chimneys in an oil shale by passing a zone of heat through the shale in the first chimney to heat the shale to a temperature of at least 800/sup 0/F under conditions to leave a hot residue containing sufficient coke to support in situ combustion. A gas comprising air is then passed upward through the first chimney to burn the coke and provide a hot retorting gas which is passed downward through the shale in the second chimney so as to produce oil in the bottom. The produced oil and effluent gas from the second chimney are separatey recovered and the effluent gas is recycled to the first chimney as a part of the gas passed upward. (10 claims)

Assignee:
EDB-83-018360
Patent Number(s):
US 3454958
OSTI ID:
6708538
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English