Method and apparatus for hydrocarbon recovery from tar sands
- Laramie, WY
A method and apparatus for utilizing tar sands having a broad range of bitumen content is disclosed. More particularly, tar sands are pyrolyzed in a cyclone retort with high temperature gases recycled from the cyclone retort to produce oil and hydrocarbon products. The spent tar sands are then burned at 2000.degree. F. in a burner to remove residual char and produce a solid waste that is easily disposable. The process and apparatus have the advantages of being able to utilize tar sands having a broad range of bitumen content and the advantage of producing product gases that are free from combustion gases and thereby have a higher heating value. Another important advantage is rapid pyrolysis of the tar sands in the cyclone so as to effectively utilize smaller sized reactor vessels for reducing capitol and operating costs.
- Research Organization:
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4880528
- OSTI ID:
- 867174
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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