System for producing a uniform rubble bed for in situ processes
A method and a cutter are disclosed for producing a large cavity filled with a uniform bed of rubblized oil shale or other material, for in situ processing. A raise drill head has a hollow body with a generally circular base and sloping upper surface. A hollow shaft extends from the hollow body. Cutter teeth are mounted on the upper surface of the body and relatively small holes are formed in the body between the cutter teeth. Relatively large peripheral flutes around the body allow material to drop below the drill head. A pilot hole is drilled into the oil shale deposit. The pilot hole is reamed into a large diameter hole by means of a large diameter raise drill head or cutter to produce a cavity filled with rubble. A flushing fluid, such as air, is circulated through the pilot hole during the reaming operation to remove fines through the raise drill, thereby removing sufficient material to create sufficient void space, and allowing the larger particles to fill the cavity and provide a uniform bed of rubblized oil shale. 4 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4391467; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-253125
- OSTI ID:
- 7259541
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 10 Apr 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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System for producing a uniform rubble bed for in-situ processes
Shale oil recovery process
Related Subjects
CAVITIES
CONSTRUCTION
OIL SHALES
COMMINUTION
BOREHOLES
DRILL BITS
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
GAS INJECTION
IN-SITU RETORTING
OIL SHALE FINES
POROSITY
REMOVAL
UNDERGROUND SPACE
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SPACE
040300* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining