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

Method for igniting oil shale retort

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7228353
A technique is described for igniting the oil shale rubble pile in an in situ oil shale retort. A gas-air burner is lowered through a hole to a plenum over the oil shale to be ignited. An excess of air is passed through the hole and around the burner so that it is kept cool as the flame from it impinges on the rubble pile. The air also transfers heat downwardly into the rubble pile and provides oxygen for combustion of carbonaceous material in the shale. Preferably the burner is in a cylindrical housing having a flame exit at its lower end so that a hot flame is ejected downwardly.
Assignee:
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3952801
OSTI ID:
7228353
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English