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Hydrocarbon production by free fall countercurrent flow hydroconversion

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6765675

A process and apparatus are claimed for production of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids with a countercurrent hydrogen-containing gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Oil shales of the Eocene period having Modified Fischer Assays of less than about 9 gallons of oil per ton and representing less than half the organic carbon present in the oil shale are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor including distribution baffles and fluidized bed feed distribution systems.

Assignee:
Institute of Gas Technology
Patent Number(s):
US 4431509
OSTI ID:
6765675
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English