Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US7862706B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/20
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined or separately collected water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via an outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.