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Method for establishing a combustion zone in an in situ oil shale retort having a pocket at the top

Patent ·
OSTI ID:863521
 [1]
  1. 1904 Glenmont Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93309
An in situ oil shale retort having a top boundary of unfragmented formation and containing a fragmented permeable mass has a pocket at the top, that is, an open space between a portion of the top of the fragmented mass and the top boundary of unfragmented formation. To establish a combustion zone across the fragmented mass, a combustion zone is established in a portion of the fragmented mass which is proximate to the top boundary. A retort inlet mixture comprising oxygen is introduced to the fragmented mass to propagate the combustion zone across an upper portion of the fragmented mass. Simultaneously, cool fluid is introduced to the pocket to prevent overheating and thermal sloughing of formation from the top boundary into the pocket.
Assignee:
Cha; Chang Y. (1904 Glenmont Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93309)
Patent Number(s):
US 4192552
OSTI ID:
863521
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English