In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected oxygen content and/or selected O/C ratio
US6722430B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S48/06
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A formation may be selected that will produce a relatively large amount of condensable hydrocarbons and/or a relatively large amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have a relatively low initial elemental oxygen weight percentage. The formation to be treated may be selected based on initial elemental oxygen to carbon ratio of the formation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.