Methods for minimizing plastic flow of oil shale during in situ retorting

Patent · 31 December 1977

OSTI ID:863119

Lewis, Arthur E ^[1]; Mallon, Richard G ^[2]

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1. Los Altos, CA
2. Livermore, CA

In an in situ oil shale retorting process, plastic flow of hot rubblized oil shale is minimized by injecting carbon dioxide and water into spent shale above the retorting zone. These gases react chemically with the mineral constituents of the spent shale to form a cement-like material which binds the individual shale particles together and bonds the consolidated mass to the wall of the retort. This relieves the weight burden borne by the hot shale below the retorting zone and thereby minimizes plastic flow in the hot shale. At least a portion of the required carbon dioxide and water can be supplied by recycled product gases.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4096912
• OSTI ID: 863119
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/166/
below
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cement-like
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consolidated
constituents
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form
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hot
individual
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mass
material
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minimizes
minimizing
oil
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relieves
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retort
retorting
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retorting zone
rubblized
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shale
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shale retorting
situ
situ oil
situ retort
situ retorting
spent
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wall
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weight
zone