Convective heat systems for recovery of hydrocarbons from encapsulated permeability control infrastructures
US8267481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/24
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. A heated fluid can be passed throughout the permeable body in bulk convective flow patterns to remove hydrocarbons from the permeable body. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing and/or use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.