In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a movable heating element
US7096953B2 · kind B2 · utility
243Cited by
542References
48Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02C20/40
- 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. Heat may be applied to the formation from heating elements positioned within wellbores. Portions of the heater elements may be free to move within the wellbores to inhibit failure of the heater elements due to thermal expansion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.