Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems maintained under positive pressure
US8349171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G1/04
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted 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 remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.