In situ oil shale retort with non-uniformly distributed void fraction
US4359246A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/248
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method is provided for flattening a non-planar combustion zone which is advancing through a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in an in situ oil shale retort. To effect flattening of the non-planar combustion zone, a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles having generally horizontally extending layers of various void fraction is provided in the in situ retort. At least one layer has a substantially higher effective average void fraction than adjacent layers above and below this layer. When the advancing non-planar combustion zone enters the high void fraction layer, it spreads laterally across the layer. The resulting combustion zone is approximately flat in a plane transverse to its direction of advance when it exits the high void fraction layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.