Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
25 claims: 2 independent, 23 dependent
- 1REIVINDICAÇÕES 1. Método de recuperação de hidrocarbonetos dos materiais hidrocarbonetos, caracterizado pelo fato de que compreende:a) formar uma infraestrutura de controle de permeabilidade construída que define um volume substancialmente encapsulado;b) introduzir um material hidrocarboneto pulverizado na infraestrutura de controle para formar um corpo permeável de material hidrocarboneto;c) aquecer o corpo permeável suficiente para remover do mesmo os hidrocarbonetos, tal que o material hidrocarboneto está substancialmente estacionário durante aquecimento;e d) coletar os hidrocarbonetos removidos.
- 2Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a infraestrutura de controle de permeabilidade construída é formada de argila, argila de bentonita, preenchimento compactado, cimento refratário, cimento, geogrades sintéticas, fibra de vidro, vergalhão, nanocarbono, sacos geotêxteis enchidos, resinas poliméricas ou combinações dos mesmos.
- 3Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a infraestrutura de controle de permeabilidade construída tem paredes laterais substancialmente impermeáveis, um piso substancialmente impermeável, e uma cobertura substancialmente impermeável.
- 4Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a infraestrutura de controle é formada em contato direto com as paredes de um depósito 2/5 de material hidrocarboneto escavado.
- 5Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a infraestrutura de controle fica livremente ereta.
- 6Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que o material hidrocarboneto minado compreende xisto de óleo, areias de alcatrão, carvão lignita, betume, turfa, ou combinações dos mesmos.
- 7Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que o corpo permeável ainda compreende um aditivo ou biomassa.
- 8Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que ainda compreende cobrir o corpo permeável com sobrecarga suficiente para criar uma pressão litostática aumentada dentro do corpo permeável.
- 9Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que o corpo permeável tem um espaço vazio de aproximadamente 10% a aproximadamente 40% de um volume total do corpo permeável.
- 10Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a etapa de aquecimento inclui injetar gases aquecidos na infraestrutura de controle tal que o corpo permeável é primeiramente aquecido através de convecção enquanto os gases aquecidos passam através do corpo permeável.
- 11Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que o corpo permeável ainda compreende uma pluralidade de condutos inseridos dentro do corpo permeável, pelo menos algumas dos referidos condutos sendo configurados como tubulações de aquecimento. 3/5
- 12Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 11, caracterizado pelo fato de que a etapa de formação da infraestrutura construída inclui a orientação de pelo menos uma porção dos condutos ao longo dos caminhos predeterminados antes de incorporar os condutos dentro do corpo permeável.
- 13Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 11, caracterizado pelo fato de que os condutos de aquecimento são acoplados fluidamente a uma fonte de calor e ainda compreendem circular um líquido de aquecimento em um circuito fechado através dos condutos de aquecimento suficiente para prevenir transferência de massa substancial entre o líquido de aquecimento e o corpo permeável.
- 14Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que a etapa de aquecimento aquece o corpo permeável suficientemente uniformemente dentro de uma faixa de temperatura suficiente para evitar substancialmente a formação de dióxido de carbono ou lixívias de não hidrocarbonetos.
- 15Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que ainda compreende introduzir um agente doador de hidrogênio no corpo permeável durante a etapa de aquecimento, o referido agente doador de hidrogênio sendo capaz de hidrogenar os hidrocarbonetos.
- 16Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que pelo menos uma porção dos hidrocarbonetos removidos é um óleo de querogênio e o método ainda compreende a mistura de óleo de querogênio com um betume não transportável para formar um óleo misturado transportável que está substancialmente livre de diluentes 4/5 adicionais ou modificadores de viscosidade.
- 17Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que ainda compreende injetar um solvente seletivo no corpo permeável subsequente à coleta de hidrocarbonetos, o referido solvente seletivo sendo um solvente para um ou mais materiais alvo.
- 18Método, de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato de que ainda compreende circular um um fluido de transferência de calor através do corpo permeável após o aquecimento para pelo menos recuperar parcialmente o calor do corpo permeável.
- 19Infraestrutura de controle de permeabilidade construída, caracterizada pelo fato de que compreende:a) uma represa de controle de permeabilidade definindo um volume substancialmente encapsulado em que a represa de controle de permeabilidade está substancialmente livre de formações geológicas sem perturbações e inclui paredes laterais substancialmente impermeáveis, uma cobertura substancialmente impermeável, e um piso substancialmente impermeável;e b) um material hidrocarboneto pulverizado dentro do volume encapsulado formando um corpo permeável de material hidrocarboneto.
- 20Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, caracterizada pelo fato de que a represa de controle de permeabilidade é formada de argila, argila de bentonita, preenchimento compactado, cimento refratário, cimento, geogrades sintéticas, fibra de vidro, vergalhão, nanocarbono, sacos geotêxteis enchidos, resinas poliméricas ou combinações dos mesmos. 5/5
- 21Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, caracterizada pelo fato de que a infraestrutura de controle é formada em contato direto com as paredes de um depósito de material hidrocarboneto escavado. 5
- 22Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, caracterizada pelo fato de que o material hidrocarboneto pulverizado compreende xisto de óleo, areias de alcatrão, carvão, lignita, betume, turfa, ou combinações dos mesmos.
- 23Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, 10 caracterizada pelo fato de que ainda compreendem uma pluralidade de condutos inseridos dentro do corpo permeável, pelo menos alguns da pluralidade de condutos sendo condutos de aquecimento.
- 24Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, 15 caracterizada pelo fato de que ainda compreende uma fonte de calor termicamente associada com o corpo permeável.
- 25Infraestrutura, de acordo com a reivindicação 19, caracterizada pelo fato de que os condutos de aquecimento são termicamente acoplados à fonte de calor e inseridos no 20 corpo permeável para formar um sistema de aquecimento fechado não tendo substancialmente nenhuma transferência de massa entre o corpo permeável e os fluidos de aquecimento dentro dos condutos de aquecimento. 1/5
Independent claims25
168 paragraphs in 8 sections, as filed
(54) Title: METHODS OF RECOVERING FROM (57) Summary:
MATERIAL HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBON USING A
BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS
ASSOCIATES (30) Unionist Priority: 02/09/2007 us 60 / 900,505,
12/03/2007 US 60 / 906,634, 17/05/2007 US 60 / 930,711 (73) Owner (s): Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
(72) Inventor (s): James W. Patten, Todd Dana (74) Attorney (s): Orlando de Souza (86) International Order: pct US2008053434 of 02/08/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / 098i77de 08/14/2008
<img file="BRPI0807006A2_D0001.tif" />
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METHODS OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS FROM HYDROCARBON MATERIAL USING A CONSTRUCTED INFRASTRUCTURE AND
ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS RELATED APPLICATIONS
This claim claims the benefit of provisional application US No. 60 / 900,505, deposited on February 9, 2007; 60 / 906,634, deposited on March 12, 2007; and 60 / 930,711, filed on May 17, 2007, which are each incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Global and national demand for fossil fuels continues to increase despite price increases and other economic and geopolitical interests. As such demand continues to increase, research and research into finding additional economically viable sources of fossil fuels increases accordingly. Historically, many have recognized the vast amounts of energy stored in shale deposits of oil, coal and tar sand, for example. However, these sources remain a difficult challenge in terms of economically competitive recovery. Canadian tar sands have shown that such efforts can be fruitful, although many challenges still remain, including environmental impact, product quality, and process time, among others.
Estimates of oil shale reserves around the world range from two to almost seven trillion barrels of oil, depending on the estimated source. In any case, these reserves represent a tremendous volume and remain a substantially unused resource. A large number of companies and researchers continue to study and test
2/58 methods of recovering oil from such reserves. In the oil shale industry, extraction methods included underground rubble chimneys created by nuclear explosions, in situ methods, such as In-Situ Conversion Process (ICP) method (Shell oil), and combustion within retort made of steel. Other methods included in situ radio frequency (microwave) methods, and modified in situ processes in which underground mining, blasting and retorting were combined to make a formation rubble to allow for better combustion and heating permeability. Permeability is generally desired because of pyrolysis, the method by which hydrocarbons are extracted, can be achieved with higher quality and production with less energy input.
Between typical oil shale processes, all changes in the economy and environmental interests. No current process alone satisfies the economic, environmental and technical challenges. In addition, global warming concerns cause additional measures to address carbon dioxide (C0) emissions<sub>2</sub>) that are associated with such processes. Methods are necessary that carry out environmental supervision, however they still provide high volume energy fuel output.
Underground in situ concepts have emerged based on their ability to produce high volumes while avoiding the cost of mining. While cost savings by avoiding mining can be achieved, the in situ method requires heating a formation for a longer period of time due to the extremely low shale permeability,
3/58 which, by its nature, requires a slower and longer reaction time to fracture and convert hydrocarbons into a formation. Using the in situ method, gains can be realized in the volume and savings of mining costs, but the in situ method works on permeability problems requiring fracture formation and longer periods of time to produce oil and gases. Perhaps the most significant challenge for any in situ process is the long-term and uncertain potential for water contamination that can occur with freshwater aquifers underground. In the case of the IPC Shell method, an ice wall is used as a barrier to, in theory, maintaining the separation between aquifers and an underground treatment area. While it is possible, no long-term analysis has proven over extended periods to ensure contamination prevention. Without guarantees and with few remedies if an ice wall falls, other methods are desirable to address such environmental risks.
For this and other reasons, the need remains for methods and systems that can provide improved hydrocarbon recovery from appropriate hydrocarbon-containing materials, which have acceptable savings and avoid the drawbacks mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon materials may include the formation of a built-in permeability control infrastructure.
This built infrastructure defines a volume
4/58 substantially encapsulated. A mined hydrocarbon material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbon material. The permeable body can be heated sufficiently to remove hydrocarbons from it. During the heating of hydrocarbon material it can be substantially stationary. The removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process as supplementary fuels or additives, and / or direct use without further treatment. The control infrastructure can include fully lined waterproof walls or waterproof side walls with a substantially impermeable floor and cover.
The present invention can allow difficult problems to be solved related to the extraction of hydrocarbon liquids and gases from the surface or deposits comprising underground mined hydrocarbons and harvested biomass, such as oil shale, tar sands, lignite, coal, and biomass. Among other things, the present invention helps to reduce cost, increase volume output, decrease air emissions, limit water consumption, prevent underground aquifer contamination, recover surface disturbances, reduce maintenance costs. material, remove dirty fine particles, and improve the composition of liquid or gas recovered from hydrocarbon. The present invention also addresses the problems of water contamination with a more secure, predictable, designed, observable, repairable, adaptable and preventable water protection structure.
5/58 prevented from conventional surface processes.
The present invention is a surface method that is dependent on mining, however it is not limited or retorting (ex-situ). This invention improves under the benefits of surface retorting including better process control of temperature, pressure, injection rates, liquid and gas compositions, product quality and better permeability due to the processing and heating of mined rubble. These advantages are available according to the present invention while still addressing the problems of volume, maintenance, and proportionality that most manufactured surface retorts cannot provide.
Other improvements that can be made to the present invention are related to environmental protection. Conventional surface retorts had the problem of spent shale after being mined and passed through a surface retort. The spent shale that has been thermally altered requires special handling to recover and isolate from the 20 surface drainage basins and underground aquifers. The object of this invention is aimed at recovery and retorting in a uniquely combined approach. With respect to air emissions which are also a serious problem typical of previous surface retort methods, this invention, because of its enormous volume capacity and high permeability, can accommodate longer heating residence times and consequently higher temperatures low. A benefit of lower temperatures in the extraction process is that the production of carbon dioxide 30 from the decomposition of carbonates in oil shale ore
6/58 can be substantially limited in this way dramatically by reducing C0 emissions<sub>2</sub> and air pollutants. This invention exceptionally provides solutions to problems, but not just one, many problems, and in an integrated approach. As a result, significant benefits to the public can be achieved in terms of energy production, economic opportunity, environmental supervision and energy production.
Additional features and advantages of the invention 10 will be apparent from the following report, which illustrates, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a permeability control infrastructure constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top and plan view of a plurality of permeability control dams according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a permeability control dam according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic of a portion of an infrastructure constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic showing the heat transfer between two permeability control dams according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It should be noted that the figures are merely exemplary 30 of various modalities of the present invention and none
7/58 limitation on the scope of the present invention is thus intended. In addition, figures are not generally drawn to scale, but are sketched for purposes of convenience and clarity in illustrating various aspects of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made to the example modalities and specific language will be used here to describe them. However, it will be understood that no limitation on the scope of the invention is thus intended. Additional changes and modifications to the inventive features described here, and additional applications of the principles of the invention as described here, which would occur to a person skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, should be considered within the scope of the invention. In addition, before the particular embodiments of the present invention are disclosed and described, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular process and materials disclosed herein while they may vary to some degree. It should also be understood that the terminology used here is used for the purpose of describing particular modalities only and is not intended to be limited, while the scope of the present invention will be defined only by the claims and equivalents added thereto.
Definitions
When describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used.
The singular forms; one, one and / or include plural references unless the context clearly says
8/58 otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a wall includes reference to one or more of such structures, a permeable body includes reference to one or more of such materials, and a heating step refers to one or more of such steps .
As used here, below ground and subsoil refers to a foundation of soil or supporting ground below a built structure. Consequently, as rock, soil or other material is removed or excavated from one place, the surface soil level follows the contours of the excavation. The terms in situ, in formation and underground refer to activities or positions that are below the ground.
As used here, ducts refer to any passage over a specified distance that can be used to transport materials and / or heat from one point to another point. Although the ducts can generally be circular pipes, other non-circular ducts can also be useful. The ducts can advantageously be used to introduce fluids into or extract fluids from the permeable body, transport heat transfer, and / or transport radio frequency devices, fuel cell mechanisms, resistance heaters, or other devices.
As used here, built infrastructure refers to a structure that is substantially entirely man-made, as opposed to ice walls, sulfur walls, or other barriers that are formed by modifying pores or filling in an existing geological formation.
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The built-in permeability control infrastructure is preferably substantially free of undisturbed geological formations, although the infrastructure can be formed adjacent to or in direct contact with an undisturbed formation. Such a control infrastructure may be loose or attached to a formation without disturbance by mechanical means, chemical means or a combination of such means, for example, screwed into the formation using anchors, loops, or other appropriate hardware.
As used here, pulverized refers to breaking a larger formation or mass into pieces. A pulverized mass can be turned into rubble or otherwise broken into fragments.
As used herein, hydrocarbon material refers to any hydrocarbon-containing material from which the hydrocarbon product can be extracted or derived. For example, hydrocarbons can be extracted directly as a liquid, removed by solvent extraction, directly vaporized or otherwise removed from the material. However, many hydrocarbon materials contain either kerogen or bitumen that is converted to a hydrocarbon through heating and pyrolysis. Hydrocarbon materials may include, but are not limited to, oil shale, tar sands, coal, lignite, bitumen, peat, and other rich organic rock
As used here, a dam refers to a structure designed to trap or retain an accumulation of fluids and / or solid moving materials. A dam generally derives from at least a substantial portion of foundation and support
10/58 structural of earthy materials. Thus, the control walls of the present invention do not always have the independent strength or structural integrity apart from the earthy material and / or formation against which they are formed.
As used herein, permeable body refers to any mass of pulverized hydrocarbon material having a relatively high permeability that exceeds the permeability of a formation without solid disturbance of the same composition. Permeable bodies suitable for use in the present invention can have more than approximately 10% void space and typically have approximately 20% to 40% void space, although other ranges may be appropriate. Allowing for high permeability facilitates the heating of the body through convection as the primary heat transfer while also substantially reducing costs associated with crushing to very small sizes, for example, below approximately 2.54 to approximately 1.27 cm.
As used herein, wall refers to any device constructed having a permeability control contribution to confine the material within an encapsulated volume defined at least in part by control walls. The walls can be oriented in any way, such as vertical, although ceilings, floors and other contours defining the encapsulated volume can also be walls as used here.
As used here, mined refers to material that has been removed or disturbed from an original stratographic or geological position to a second and different position. Typically, mined material can be produced
11/58 transforming into rubble, crushing, detonating explosively, or otherwise removing material from a geological formation.
As used here, substantially stationary refers to the quasi-stationary positioning of materials with a soil allowing for subsidence, expansion due to the popcorn effect, and / or settlement while hydrocarbons are removed from the hydrocarbon material. In contrast, any circulation and / or flow of hydrocarbon material, such as that found in fluidized beds or rotating retorts, involves the highly substantial movement and handling of hydrocarbon material.
As used here, substantial when used in reference to a quantity of a material, or a specific characteristic thereof, refers to an amount that is sufficient to provide an effect that the material or characteristic was intended to provide. The exact soil of permissible deviation can in some cases depend on the specific context. Similarly, substantially free of or similar refers to the lack of an identified element or agent in a composition. In particular, elements that are identified as being substantially free of are either completely absent from the composition, or are included only in quantities that are small enough to have no measurable effect on the composition.
As used here, it roughly refers to a diversion soil based on the typical experimental error for the particular property identified. The latitude provided
The term 12/58 will approximately depend on the specific context and particular property and can be readily distinguished by those skilled in the art. The term approximately is not intended to expand or limit the soil to equivalents that may otherwise be encompassed for a particular value. In addition, unless otherwise stated, the term approximately expressly will include exactly consistent with the discussion below considering ranges and numerical data.
The concentrations, dimensions, quantities, and other numerical data can be presented here in a strip format. It should be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only numerical values explicitly reported as the range limits, but also include all individual numeric values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numeric value and subrange were explicitly reported. For example, a range of approximately 1 to approximately 200 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly reported limits of 1 to approximately 200, but also to include individual sizes such as 2, 3, 4, and sub-ranges such as 10 to 50, 20 to 100, etc.
As used here, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials can be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists must be interpreted as if each member of the list was individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no member
13/58 individual of such a list must be interpreted as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list based solely on its presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
Modalities of the invention
According to the present invention, a method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon materials may include the formation of a built-in permeability control infrastructure. This built infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined or harvested hydrocarbon material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbon material. 0 permeable body can be heated sufficiently to remove hydrocarbons from it. During heating, the hydrocarbon material is substantially stationary while the built infrastructure is a fixed structure. The removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and / or use as recovered.
Each of these aspects of the present invention is described in further detail below. The built-in permeability control infrastructure can be formed using the existing soil as a floor support and / or as a side wall support for the built infrastructure. For example, the control infrastructure can be formed as a free standing structure, that is, using only existing soil as a floor with side walls being made by man. Alternatively, the control infrastructure can be formed within an excavated well. Of any
In this way, the control infrastructures of the present invention are always formed above the ground.
A built-in permeability control infrastructure of the present invention can include a permeability control dam that defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The permeability control dam of the present invention is substantially free of undisturbed geological formations. Specifically, the dam's permeability control aspect can be completely constructed and manufactured as a separate isolation mechanism to prevent uncontrolled material migration inside or outside the encapsulated volume.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the permeability control dam can be formed along the walls of an excavated hydrocarbon material deposit. For example, oil shale, tar sands, or coal can be mined from a deposit to form a cavity that roughly corresponds to a desired encapsulation volume for a dam. The excavated cavity can then be used as a form and support to create the permeability control dam.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, at least one deposit of additional excavated hydrocarbon material can be formed such that a plurality of dams can be operated. In addition, such a configuration can facilitate a reduction in the transport distance of the mined material. Specifically, the hydrocarbon material mined for any particular encapsulated volume can be mined from a deposit of excavated hydrocarbon material
Adjacent 15/58. In this way, a grid of constructed structures can be built such that the mined material can be immediately and directly filled in an adjacent dam.
Mining and / or excavation of hydrocarbon deposits can be carried out using any appropriate technique. Conventional surface mining can be used, although alternative excavators can also be used without requiring transport of the mined materials. In a specific embodiment, the hydrocarbon deposit can be excavated using a crane-suspended excavator. An example of a suitable excavator may include vertical tunnel boring machines. Such machines can be configured to excavate rock and material below the excavator. While the material is being removed, the excavator is lowered to ensure substantially continuous contact with a formation. The removed material can be transported outside the excavation area using conveyors or elevators. Alternatively, excavation can take place under aqueous paste conditions to reduce dust problems and act as a lubricant / coolant. The slurry material can be pumped from the excavation to separate solids in a settlement tank or other similar solid-liquid separator, or the solids can be allowed to precipitate directly into a dam. This approach can be readily integrated with simultaneous or sequential solution recovery of metals and other materials as described in more detail below.
In addition, the excavation and formation of a
16/58 permeability control can be performed simultaneously. For example, an excavator can be configured to remove hydrocarbon material while the side walls of a dam are being formed. The material can be removed from just edges below the side walls such that the walls can be guided downwards to allow additional wall segments to be stacked above. This approach can allow for increased depths by avoiding or reducing the danger of landslides before the formation of supported dam walls.
The dam can be formed of any suitable material that provides material transfer insulation through the walls of the dam. In this way, the integrity of the walls is retained during the operation of the control infrastructure sufficient to substantially prevent the uncontrolled migration of fluids outside the control infrastructure. Non-limiting examples of material suitable for use in forming the dam of the built-in permeability control infrastructure may include clay, bentonite clay (for example, clay comprising at least a portion of bentonite), compacted fill, refractory cement, cement, synthetic geogrids , fiberglass, rebar, nanocarbon fullerene additives, filled geotextile bags, polymeric resins, oil resistant PVC coatings, or combinations thereof. Engineered cement composite (ECC) materials, fiber reinforced composites, and the like can be particularly strong and can be readily designed to meet the requirements of
17/58 temperature tolerance and permeability of a given installation. As a general guideline, materials having low permeability and high mechanical integrity at operating temperatures of the infrastructure are preferred although not required. For example, materials having a melting point above the maximum infrastructure operating temperature can be useful for maintaining containment during and after heating and recovery. However, lower temperature materials can also be used if an unheated buffer zone is maintained between the heated walls and portions of the permeable body. Such buffer zones can vary from 15.24 cm to 15.24 m depending on the particular material used for the dam and the composition of the permeable body. In another aspect of the present invention, the dam walls may be resistant to acid, water and / or brine, for example sufficient to withstand exposure to solvent recovery and / or rinsing with acid or brine solutions, as well as to vaporize or wet . For dam walls formed along formations or other solid supports, the dam walls can be formed from a sprayed cement injection, sprayed liquid emulsions, or other sprayed material, such as a sprayable refractory soil cement injection that forms a seal. against formation and creates the permeability control wall of the dams of the present invention. The dam walls can be substantially continuous, such that the dam defines the encapsulated volume sufficiently to prevent substantial movement of fluids inside or outside the dam with the exception of defined inlets and outlets, for example
18/58 through conduits or the like as discussed here. In this way, the dams of the present invention can readily meet government fluid migration regulations. Alternatively, or in combination with a fabricated barrier, the portions of the dam walls may be undisturbed geological formation and / or compacted earth. In such cases, the built-in permeability control infrastructure is a combination of permeable and impermeable walls as described in more detail below.
In a detailed aspect of the present invention, a portion of hydrocarbon material, pre- or post-processed, can be used as a cement fortification and / or cement base which is then poured locally to form portions or the entire infrastructure walls. of control. These materials can be formed locally or they can be preformed and then assembled locally to form an integral dam structure. For example, the dam can be built by forming a local mold such as a monolithic body, extrusion, stacking preformed or prefabricated parts, concrete panels joined by a cement injection (cement, ECC or other appropriate material), inflated form, or the like. Forms can be accumulated against training or they can be single support structures. The shapes can be constructed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, steel, wood, fiberglass, polymer, or the like. The shapes can be mounted locally or can be oriented using a crane or other appropriate mechanism. Alternatively, the built-in permeability control infrastructure
19/58 can be formed from gabions and / or geosynthetic screens mounted in layers with the compacted filling material. Optional binders can be added to improve the compactness of the permeability control walls. In yet another detailed aspect of the present invention, the control infrastructure may comprise, or consist essentially of, sealant, cement injection, rebar, synthetic clay, bentonite clay, clay lining, refractory cement, high temperature geomembranes, drain, alloy sheets, or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the construction of dam walls and floors can include multiple compacted layers of indigenous or manipulated shale of inferior quality with any combination of sand, cement, fiber, plant fiber, nanocarbons, crushed glass, reinforcing steel, projected grid reinforcing carbon, calcium, and the like. In addition to such composite walls, designs that inhibit gas and fluid migration in the long term through additional impermeability engineering can be employed including, but not limited to, coatings, geomembranes, compacted soil, imported sand, gravel or rock and contours gravity drain to move fluids and gases away from impermeable layers to egress outlets. The dam floor and wall construction can, but does not need to understand, an intensified or decreased slope or bank as in the case of the mining course can dictate following the optimal ore soil mining. In any intensified or decreased applications, floor leveling and wall construction
20/58 containment can typically drain or tilt to one side or to a specific central collection area (s) for the removal of fluids by the aid of gravity drainage.
Optionally, the capsule wall and floor construction can include insulation that prevents heat transfer outside the constructed infrastructure or outside internal capsules or conduits within the primary constructed capsule confinement. The insulation can comprise manufactured materials, cement or various materials, other materials that are less thermally conductive than surrounding masses, i.e., permeable body, formation, adjacent infrastructure, etc. Thermally insulating barriers can also be formed within the permeable body, along the dam walls, ceilings and / or floors. A detailed aspect of the present invention includes the use of biodegradable insulating materials, for example soy insulator and the like. This is consistent with embodiments of the present invention in which the dam is a single system of use such that insulators, piping, and / or other components can have a relatively short service life, for example less than 1 to 2 years. This can reduce equipment costs as well as reduce long-term environmental impact.
The structures and methods of the present invention can be applied in almost any range. Larger encapsulated volumes and increased numbers of dams can readily produce hydrocarbon products and performance comparable to or exceed smaller built infrastructures. As an illustration, unique dams
21/58 can range in size from ten feet to ten acres. Optimal dam sizes may vary depending on the hydro hydrocarbon material and operating parameters, but it is expected that the appropriate areas can vary from approximately one and a half to five acres in the flat top surface area.
The methods and infrastructure of the present invention can be used for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a variety of hydrocarbon materials. A particular advantage of the present invention is a wide latitude soil in the control of particle size, conditions, and composition of the permeable body introduced in the encapsulated volume. Non-limiting examples of mined hydrocarbon material that can be treated include oil shale, tar sands, coal, lignite, bitumen, peat, or combinations thereof. In some cases it may be desirable to provide a single type of hydrocarbon material so that the permeable body consists essentially of one of the above materials. However, the permeable body can include mixtures of these materials such that soil, oil content, hydrogen content, permeability and the like can be adjusted to achieve a desired result. In addition, different hydrocarbon materials can be placed in multiple layers or in a mixed form, such as a combination of coal, oil shale, tar sands, biomass, and / or peat.
In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing material can be classified into several internal capsules within a primary built infrastructure for reasons of optimization. For example, the layers and depths of
22/58 mined shale oil formations can be richer in certain depth cover areas while they are mined. Once, blown up, mined, excavated and transported inside the capsule for placement, ores carrying richer oil can be classified or mixed by wealth for optimal yields, faster recovery, or for calculating optimal averages within each dam. In addition, providing different layers of composition may have added benefits. For example, a lower layer of tar sands can be oriented below an upper layer of oil shale. Generally, the upper and lower layers can be in direct contact with each other although this is not required. The top layer can include heating pipes inserted here as described in more detail below. The heating pipes can heat the oil shale enough to release kerogen oil, including short-chain liquid hydrocarbons, which can act as a solvent for removing bitumen from tar sands. In this way, the top layer acts as an in situ solvent source to improve bitumen removal from the bottom layer. The heating pipes inside the lower layer are optional, such that the lower layer can be free of heating pipes or it can include heating pipes, depending on the amount of heat transferred through the passing liquids descending from the upper layer and any other sources of heat. heat. The ability to selectively control the characteristics and composition of the permeable body adds an amount
23/58 significant freedom in optimizing yields and oil quality.
In addition, in many embodiments of the present invention, the released gaseous and liquid products act as a solvent produced in situ that supplements the removal of kerogen and / or the additional removal of hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon material.
In yet another detailed aspect of the present invention, the permeable body can further comprise an additive or biomass. Additives can include any composition that acts to increase the quality of hydrocarbons removed, for example, increased API, decreased viscosity, improved flow properties, reduced residual shale moisture, sulfur reduction, hydrogenation agents, etc. Non-limiting examples of suitable additives may include bitumen, kerogen, propane, natural gas, condensed natural gas, crude oil, refining bottoms, asphaltenes, common solvents, other thinners, and combinations of these materials. In a specific embodiment, the additive may include a flow-improving agent and / or a hydrogen donor agent. Some materials can act as both or one of the two agents to improve flow or as a hydrogen donor. Non-limiting examples of such additives may include methane, natural gas condensate, common solvent, such as acetone, toluene, benzene, etc., and other additives listed above. Additives can act to increase the hydrogen to carbon ratio in any hydrocarbon products, as well as act as a flow improving agent. For example, various solvents and other additives can create a mixture
24/58 physics that has a reduced viscosity and / or reduced affinity for particulate solids, rock and the like. In addition, some additives can chemically react with hydrocarbons and / or allow the liquid flow of the hydrocarbon products. Any additives used can become part of a final recovered product or can be removed and reused or otherwise disposed of.
Similarly, biological hydroxylation of hydrocarbon materials to form synthetic gas or other lighter products can be achieved using known additives and approaches. Other enzymes or biocatalysts can also be used in a similar way. In addition, the manufactured materials can also be used as additives such as, but not limited to, tires, polymeric waste, or other hydrocarbon-containing materials.
Although the methods of the present invention are widely applicable, as a general guideline, the permeable body can include particles from approximately 0.318 cm to approximately 1.83 m, and in some cases less than 1 foot and in other cases less than 30.5 cm to approximately 1.83 m. However, as a practical matter, sizes from approximately 5.08 to approximately 60.96 cm can provide good results with approximately 30.5 cm in diameter and are useful for especially oil shale. Empty space can be an important factor in determining optimal particle diameters. As a general matter, any functional empty space can be used; however, approximately 15% to approximately 40% and in some cases approximately 30% generally provides a good balance of permeability and effective use of available volumes. The
25/58 empty volumes can be varied in some way by varying other parameters, such as heating duct placement, additives, and the like. The mechanical separation of mined hydrocarbon materials allows the creation of fine mesh, highly permeable particles that improve thermal dispersion rates once placed in the capsule inside the dam. The added permeability allows for more reasonable lower temperatures, which also help to avoid higher temperatures that result in higher C0 production<sub>2</sub> from carbonate decomposition and associated release of traces of heavy metals, volatile organics, and other compounds that can create the toxic effluent and / or undesirable materials that must be monitored and controlled.
In one embodiment, computer aided mining, mine planning, towing, blasting, testing, loading, transport, placement, and dust control measures can be used to fill and optimize the movement speed of mined material in the capsule containment structure built. In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the dams of the present invention can be formed in excavated volumes of a hydrocarbon formation, although other remote locations of the control infrastructure may also be useful. For example, some hydrocarbon formations have relatively thin hydrocarbon-rich layers, for example less than approximately 91.44 m. As a result, vertical mining and drilling tend not to be cost effective. In such cases, horizontal mining can be useful to recover hydrocarbon materials for the formation of
26/58 permeable body. Although horizontal mining remains a challenging attempt, several technologies have been developed and continue to be developed which may be useful in relation to the present invention. In such cases, at least a portion of the dam can be formed through a horizontal layer, while other portions of the dam can be formed along and / or adjacent to the formation layers without carrying hydrocarbons. Other mining approaches such as, but not limited to, quarter and column mining can provide an effective source of hydrocarbon material with minimal residue and / or recovery that can be transported to a dam and treated in accordance with the present invention.
As mentioned here, the present invention allows for a great degree of control over the properties and characteristics of the permeable body that can be designed and optimized for a given installation. Dams, individually and through a plurality of dams, can be readily adjusted and classified based on the composition of varying materials, intended products and the like. For example, several dams can be dedicated to the production of heavy crude oil, while others can be configured for the production of light products and / or syngas. Non-limiting examples of classifications and potential factors may include catalyst activity, enzymatic reaction for specific products, aromatic compounds, hydrogen content, microorganism strain or purpose, breeding process, target end product, pressure (quality effects and type of product), temperature, swelling behavior, reactions
27/58 aquatemics, hydrogen donor agents, over-disposal of heat, waste dams, sewage dams, reusable pipes, and others. Typically, a plurality of these factors can be used to set up dams in a given project area for different products and purposes.
pulverized hydrocarbon material can be filled into the control infrastructure to form the permeable body in any appropriate manner. Typically, the pulverized hydrocarbon material can be transported in the control infrastructure by dumping, conveyors or other appropriate approaches. As previously mentioned, the permeable body may have an appropriately high void volume. 0 indiscriminate dumping can result in excessive compaction and reduction of empty volumes. Thus, the permeable body can be formed by low compaction transporting the hydrocarbon material in the infrastructure. For example, retracting conveyors can be used to release material close to an upper surface of the permeable body as it is formed. In this way, the hydrocarbon material can retain a significant void volume between particles without substantial crushing or additional compaction despite some small degree of compaction that often results from lithostatic pressure while the permeable body is formed.
Once a desired permeable body has been formed within the control infrastructure, enough heat can be introduced to begin removing hydrocarbons, for example through pyrolysis. An appropriate heat source can be thermally associated with the
28/58 permeable body. Optimal operating temperatures within the permeable body can vary depending on the desired composition and products. However, as a general guideline, operating temperatures can vary from approximately 93.3 ° C to approximately 399 ° C. Temperature variations across the encapsulated volume can vary and can reach as high as 482 ° C or more in some areas. In one embodiment, the operating temperature can be a relatively lower temperature to facilitate the production of liquid product, such as from approximately 93.3 ° C to approximately 343 ° C. This heating step can be a calcination operation that results in the preparation of the crushed ore from the permeable body. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention comprises controlling temperature, pressure and other variables sufficiently to produce predominantly, and in some cases substantially only, liquid product. Generally, products may include liquid and gaseous products, while liquid products may require few processing steps, such as purifiers, etc. The relatively high permeability of the permeable body allows the production of liquid hydrocarbon products and the minimization of gaseous products, depending to some extent on the starting materials and particular operating conditions. In one embodiment, the recovery of hydrocarbon products can occur substantially in the absence of cracking within the permeable body.
In one aspect of the present invention, heat can be transferred to the permeable body through convection. The heated gases can be injected into the infrastructure of
29/58 control such that the permeable body is first heated by convection while the heated gases pass through the permeable body. The heated gases can be produced by combustion of natural gas, hydrocarbon product, or any other suitable source. The heated gases can be imported from external sources or recovered from the process of the present invention.
Alternatively, or in combination with convective heating, a highly configurable approach may include the incorporation of a plurality of ducts within the permeable body. The ducts can be configured for use as heating pipes, cooling pipes, heat transfer pipes, drain pipes, or gas pipes. In addition, the ducts can be dedicated to a single function or can serve multiple functions during the operation of the infrastructure, i.e. heat transfer and drainage. The ducts can be formed of any suitable material, depending on the intended function. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials may include clay pipes, refractory cement pipes, refractory ECC pipes, local spilled pipes, metal pipes, such as cast iron, stainless steel etc., the polymer such as PVC, and the like. In a specific embodiment, all or at least a portion of the incorporated conduits may comprise a degradable material. For example, 15.24 cm non-galvanized cast iron pipes can be used effectively for single usage modes and perform well over the life of the dam, typically less than approximately
30/58 years. In addition, different portions of the plurality of conduits can be formed of different materials. Spilled pipes locally can be especially useful for very large package volumes where pipe diameters exceed several meters. Such pipes can be formed using flexible wraps that retain a viscous fluid in an annular shape. For example, PVC pipes can be used as a portion of a shape together with flexible wraps, where concrete or other viscous fluid is pumped in an annular scope between the PVC and the flexible wraps. Depending on the intended function, perforations or other openings can be made in the ducts to allow fluids to flow between the ducts and the permeable body. Typical operating temperatures exceed the melting point of conventional polymer and resin pipes. In some embodiments, conduits can be placed and oriented such that the conduits intentionally melt or otherwise degrade during the operation of the infrastructure.
The plurality of conduits can readily be oriented in any configuration, be it substantially horizontal, vertical, inclined, branched, or the like. At least a portion of the ducts can be oriented along the predetermined paths before entering the ducts within the permeable body. The predetermined paths can be designed to improve heat transfer, gas-liquid-solid contact, maximize the release or removal of fluid from specific regions within the encapsulated volume, or the like. Beyond
In addition, at least a portion of the ducts can be dedicated to heating the permeable body. These heating ducts can be selectively perforated to allow heated gases or other liquids to heat up convectively and mix through the permeable body. Perforations can be allocated and adjusted to optimize uniform and / or controlled heating through the permeable body. Alternatively, the heating ducts can form a closed circuit, such that gases or heating fluids are secreted from the permeable body. Thus, a closed circuit does not necessarily require recirculation or insulation of heating fluid from the permeable body. In this way, heating can be carried out first or substantially only through thermal conduction through the duct walls of the heating fluids in the permeable body. Heating in a closed circuit allows the prevention of mass transfer between the heating fluid and the permeable body and can reduce the formation and / or extraction of gaseous hydrocarbon products.
During heating or calcination of the permeable body, localized areas of heat that exceed the decomposition temperatures of the matrix rock, often above approximately 482 ° C, can reduce yields and form carbon dioxide and unwanted contamination compounds that can lead to lye containing heavy metals, soluble organics and the like. The heating ducts of the present invention can allow substantial elimination of such localized hot spots by keeping a vast majority of the permeable body within
32/58 a desired temperature range. The degree of temperature uniformity can be a cost balance (for example, for additional heating ducts) against yields. However, at least approximately 85% of the permeable body can readily be maintained within approximately 5 to 10% of a target temperature range with substantially no hot spots, i.e. exceeding the decomposition temperature of hydrocarbon materials, such as approximately 427 ° C and in many cases approximately 482 ° C. Thus, operated as described herein, the systems of the present invention can allow recovery of hydrocarbons by eliminating or substantially preventing the production of undesirable bleaches. Although products can vary considerably depending on the starting materials, high quality gaseous and liquid products are possible. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a crushed oil shale material can produce a liquid product having an API of approximately 30 to approximately 45, with approximately 33 to approximately 38 being currently typical, directly from oil shale without further treatment. Interestingly, the practice of the present invention has led to an understanding that pressure appears to be a much less influential factor in the quality of recovered hydrocarbons than temperature and heating times. Although the heating times can vary considerably, depending on the empty space, permeable body composition, quality, etc., as a general guideline the times can vary from a few days (ie, 3 to 4 days) to approximately one year. On a
33/58 specific example, the heating times can vary from approximately 2 weeks to approximately 4 months. The oil shale under heating in short residence times, i.e. minutes to several hours, can lead to the formation of lychee and / or volatile hydrocarbons. Consequently, the present invention allows extended residence times at moderate temperatures such that the organics present in the oil shale can be volatilized and / or carbonized, leaving non-substantial lychee organics. In addition, the underlying shale is not generally decomposed or altered which reduces the formation of soluble salt.
In addition, ducts can be guided between a plurality of dams and / or control infrastructures to transfer fluids and / or heat between structures. The conduits can be welded together using conventional or similar welding. In addition, conduits may include joints that allow rotation or small amounts of movement during the expansion and subsidence of material in the permeable body. Additionally, conduits may include a support system that acts to support the conduit set before and during filling of the encapsulated volume, as well as during operation. For example, during fluid heating flows, heating and the like can cause expansion (fracture or popcorn effect) or sufficient subsidence to create potentially harmful stress and tension in the associated ducts and joints. A frame support system or other similar anchoring members can be useful in reducing damage to the ducts. Anchoring members can
34/58 include cement blocks, I-beams, rebar, columns, etc. that can be associated with dam walls, including side walls, floors and ceilings.
Alternatively, the ducts can be completely constructed and assembled before any mined materials are introduced into the encapsulated volume. Care and planning can be considered when designing the predetermined pathways of the ducts and method of filling the volume in order to prevent damage to the ducts during the filling process while the ducts are buried. Thus, as a general rule, the ducts used in the present invention are oriented from the beginning, or before incorporating into the permeable body, such that they are not perforated. As a result, duct construction and placement can be carried out without extensive core drilling and / or complicated machinery associated with well bore or horizontal drilling. Instead, the horizontal or any other orientation of the duct can be readily achieved by assembling the desired predetermined paths before, or together with, filling the infrastructure with the mined hydrocarbon material. Non-perforated conduits, placed by hand / crane oriented in various geometric patterns, can be placed with valve-controlled connection points that yield accurate and close monitored heating within the capsule dam. The ability to place and stack conduits including fittings, bypass and flow valves, and outlet and direct injection points, allows the accuracy of temperature and heating rates, the accuracy of pressure and pressurization rates, and the accuracy of input from
35/58 liquid and gas, outlet and mixtures of composition. For example, when bacteria, enzyme, or other biological material is used, optimal temperatures can be readily maintained through the permeable body to increase the performance, reaction, and reliability of such biomaterials.
The ducts will generally pass through the walls of the infrastructure built at various points. Due to differences in temperature and tolerances, it may be beneficial to include an insulating material at the interface between the wall and the ducts. The dimensions of this interface can be minimized by also allowing space for differences in thermal expansion during startup, steady state operation, floating operating conditions, and shutdown of the infrastructure. The interface may also involve insulating materials and sealing devices that prevent the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons or other materials from the control infrastructure. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials may include high temperature joints, metal alloys, ceramics, clay or mineral coatings, composites or other materials that have melting points above typical operating temperatures and act as a continuation of the provided permeability control through walls of the control infrastructure.
In addition, the walls of the built infrastructure can be configured to minimize heat loss. In one aspect, the walls can be constructed having a substantially uniform thickness that is optimized to provide sufficient mechanical strength while also minimizing the volume of wall material through which the conduits
36/58 pass. Specifically, excessively thick walls can reduce the amount of heat that is transferred to the permeable body by absorbing it through conduction. Conversely, the walls can also act as a thermal barrier to isolate the permeable body and retain heat in it during operation.
In one embodiment, the fluid and gas compounds within the permeable body can be changed to desired extractive products using, as an example, the pressure induced through the gases or the accumulated lithostatic pressure of the stacked debris. Thus, some degree of updating and / or modification can be carried out simultaneously with the recovery process of the present invention. In addition, certain hydrocarbon materials may require treatment using specific thinners or other materials. For example, the treatment of tar sands can be readily performed by steam injection or solvent injection to facilitate separation of bitumen from sand particles according to mechanisms. known.
With the above description in mind, FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention showing a designed capsule confinement and extraction dam 100 where the existing soil 108 is used primarily as a support for the waterproof floor layer 112. The side walls 102 of the outer capsule dam provide the confinement and can, but need not be, subdivided by interior walls 104. The subdivision can create separate confinement capsules 122 within a larger capsule confinement of the dam 100 which can have any geometry, size or subdivision. Subdivisions
Additional 37/58 can be stacked horizontally or vertically. By creating separate containment capsules 122 or chambers, the classification of substandard materials, varied gases, varied liquids, varied process stages, varied enzymes or types of microbiology, or other desired and prepared processes can be readily accommodated. Sectioned capsules constructed as silos within larger constructed capsules can also be designed to provide sequenced and assembled processing, temperatures, gas and fluid compositions and thermal transfers. Such sectioned capsules can provide additional environmental monitoring and can be constructed from designed and lined refuse earth banks similar to the primary exterior walls. In one embodiment, the sections within the dam 100 can be used to place materials in isolation, in the absence of external heat, or with the intention of applying controlled or limited combustion solvent. The low hydrocarbon loading material can be useful as a combustion material or as a filler or earth bank wall construction material. 0 material that does not meet the various limits of degree of cut can also be removed without alteration in a dam dedicated for this purpose. In such embodiments, such areas can be completely isolated or diverted by heat, solvents, gases, liquids, or the like. Optional monitoring devices and / or equipment can be permanently or temporarily installed inside the dam or outside the perimeter of the dams in order to verify the containment of the removed material.
38/58
The walls 102 and 104 as well as the cover 116 and the waterproof layer 112 can be designed and reinforced by gabions 14 6 and or geogrids 14 8 placed in layer in the filling compaction. Alternatively, these walls 102, 104, 116 and 112 that comprise the permeability control dam and collectively define the encapsulated volume can be formed from any other suitable material as previously described. In this embodiment, the dam 100 includes the side walls 102 and 104 which are self-supporting. In one embodiment, refuse earth banks, walls, and floors can be compacted and designed for the structure as well as permeability. The use of compacted geogrids and other anchoring structures to support earth banks and dams can be included before or incorporated with permeability control layers that can include sand, clay, bentonite clay, gravel, cement, cement injection, cement reinforced, refractory cements, insulators, geo-membranes, drain pipes, temperature-resistant insulators from pipes heated by penetration, etc.
In an alternative embodiment, the control and permeability dam can include side walls that are made of compacted earth and / or geological formations without disturbances while the roof and floors are waterproof. Specifically, in such embodiments an impermeable cover can be used to prevent the uncontrolled escape of volatiles and gases from the dam, such that the appropriate gas collection outlets can be used. Similarly, an impermeable floor can be used to contain and direct collected liquids to an outlet
39/58 appropriate, such as drainage system 133 to remove liquid products from lower regions of the dam. Although waterproof side walls may be desirable in some embodiments, this is not always required. In some cases, the side walls may be earth without exposed disturbance or fill or compacted earth, or other permeable material. Having permeable side walls can allow some small gas and / or liquid out of the dam.
Above, below, around and adjacent to the environmental hydrology measures of constructed capsule containment containers can be designed to redirect surface water away from walls, floors, capsule covers, etc. during operation. In addition, gravity-assisted pipes and drainage mechanisms can be used to add channel fluids, liquids or solvents within the encapsulated volume to the central collection, pumping, condensation, heating, assembly and discharge piping, silos, tank, and / or well as needed. In a similar way, the steam and / or water that is intentionally introduced, for example for the treatment of bitumen from tar sands, can be recycled.
Since the wall structures 102 and 104 were built above a built and impermeable floor layer 112 that starts from the earth surface 106, the mined rubble 120 (which can be crushed or classified according to the size or richness of hydrocarbon ), can be layered under (or close to) tubular heating pipes 118, fluid drain pipes
40/58
124, and, or gas collection or injection pipes 126. These pipes can be oriented and designed in any flow pattern, angle, length, size, volume, intersection, base, wall size, alloy construction, drilling design optimal injection rate and extraction rate. In some cases, pipes such as those used for heat transfer can be connected to, recycled through or derived from heat from the heat source 134. Alternatively, or in combination with, recovered gases can be condensed by a condenser 140. The heat recovered by the condenser can optionally be used to supplement the heating of the permeable body or for other process needs.
Heat source 134 may derive, amplify, collect, create, combine, separate, transmit or include heat derived from any appropriate heat sources including, but not limited to, fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, solar sources, sources wind, liquid or hydrocarbon gas combustion heaters, geothermal heat sources, nuclear power plant, coal combustion power plant, radiofrequency generated heat, wave energy, flame combustors, natural distributed combustors, or any combination thereof. In some cases, electric resistive heaters or other heaters may be used, although solid oxide fuel cells and combustion-based heaters are currently preferred. In some positions, geothermal water can be circulated on the surface in adequate amounts to heat the permeable body and to flow into the infrastructure.
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In another embodiment, the electrically conductive material can be distributed through the permeable body and an electric current can be passed through the conductive material sufficient to generate heat. Electrically conductive material may include, but is not limited to, metal pieces or granules, conductive cement, metal-coated particles, metal-ceramic composites, conductive semimetal carbides, calcined petroleum coke, laid wire, combinations of these materials, and the like. The electrically conductive material can be premixed having various mesh sizes or the materials can be introduced into the permeable body subsequent to the formation of the permeable body.
Liquids or gases can transfer heat from heat source 134, or in another mode, in the case of combustion of liquid or hydrocarbon gas, radiofrequency (microwave) generators, fuel cells, or solid oxide fuel cells can all , but they do not need to actually generate heat within the 114 or 122 capsule dam area. In one embodiment, the heating of the permeable body can be accomplished by the convective heating of the hydrocarbon combustion. The particular interest is the hydrocarbon combustion carried out under stoichiometric conditions from fuel to oxygen. Stoichiometric circumstances can allow for significantly increased heat gas temperatures. Stoichiometric combustion can employ, but generally does not require, a source of pure oxygen that can be provided by known technologies including, but not limited to, oxygen concentrators, membranes, electrolysis, and
42/58 similar. In some embodiments, oxygen can be supplied from the air with stoichiometric amounts of oxygen and hydrogen. The combustion of gas can be directed to an ultra high temperature heat exchanger, a material, for example, a ceramic or other suitable material having an operating temperature above approximately 1371 ° C. The air obtained from the environment or recycled from other processes can be heated through the ultra high temperature heat exchanger and then sent to the dam to heat the permeable body. The combustion of gases can then be removed without the need for further separation, this is because the gas is predominantly carbon dioxide and water.
In order to minimize heat losses, distances can be minimized between the combustion chamber, heat exchanger and dams. Consequently, in a specific detailed mode, portable combustors can be attached to individual heating ducts or smaller sections of ducts. Portable burners or burners can individually supply from approximately 100,000 Btu to approximately 1,000,000 Btu with approximately 600,000 Btu per pipe, generally sufficient.
Alternatively, capsule combustion can be initiated within isolated capsules within a primary constructed capsule confinement structure. This process partially burns the hydrocarbon material to provide heat and intrinsic pyrolysis. Unwanted air emissions 144 can be captured and removed in a formation 108 once derived from the confinement of
43/58 capsule 114, 122 or heat source 134 and released through a drilled well hole 142. Heat source 134 can also create electricity and transmit, transform or energize through electrical transmission lines 150. Liquids or gases extracted from the 114 or 122 capsule dam treatment area can be stored in a nearby containment tank 136 or within a 114 or 122 capsule confinement. For example, the waterproof floor layer 112 can include an inclined area 110 that directs liquids to the drain system 133 where the liquids are directed to the containment tank.
While the rubble material 120 is placed with pipes 118, 124, 126, and 128, several measuring devices or sensors 130 are provided to monitor temperature, pressure, liquids, gases, compositions, heating rates, density, and all others process attributes during the extractive process in, around, or below the projected 100 capsule containment dam. Such monitoring devices and sensors 130 can be distributed anywhere in, around, part of, connected to, or over pipe 118, 124, 126, and 128 or, over, transported by, or buried within the rubble material 120 or waterproof barrier zone 112.
While the placed rubble material 120 fills the capsule treatment area 114 or 122, 120 becomes the ceiling support for the projected waterproof cover barrier zone 138, and the wall barrier construction 170, which can include any combination impermeability and designed fluid and gas barrier or built capsule construction comprising those that
44/58 can compose 112 including, but not limited to, clay 162, compacted or imported filling material 164, material containing refractory cement or cement 166, synthetic geomembrane, coating or insulation 168. Above 138, filling material 116 is placed to create lithostatic pressure under the 114 or 122 capsule treatment areas. Covering the permeable body with sufficient compressed padding to create increased lithostatic pressure within the permeable body can be useful in an additional growing hydrocarbon product quality. A compacted fill roof can substantially cover the permeable body, while the permeable body on the return can substantially support the compacted fill roof. The compacted fill roof can be sufficiently impervious to the removed hydrocarbon or an additional layer of permeability control material can be added in a similar way as side walls and / or floors. Additional pressure can be introduced into the extraction capsule treatment area 114 or 122 by increasing any gas or fluid once extracted, treated or recycled, as the case may be, through any pipe 118, 124, 126, or 128. All measurements, optimization rates, injection rates, extraction rates, temperatures, heating rates, flow rates, pressure rates, capacity indicators, relative chemical compositions, or other data related to the heating, extraction, stabilization process , removal, dam, upgrade, refinement or analysis of structure within the capsule dam 100 are provided through connection to a
45/58 computation 132 that operates the computer software for the management, calculation and optimization of any process. In addition, core drilling, geological reserve analysis and test modeling of a formation before blasting, mining and transportation (or anytime before, after or during such tasks) can serve as sources of data entry into mechanisms computer controlled operating software to identify optimal calibrated settings, dimensions, volumes and designs and cross reference to production rate, pressure, temperature, heat input rates, gas weight percentages, gas injection compositions, heat capacity, permeability, porosity, chemical and mineral composition, compaction, density desired. Such analyzes and determinations may include other factors such as time data factors, such as temperature and air humidity, impacting the total performance of the built infrastructure. Other data such as ore moisture content, hydrocarbon richness, weight, mesh size, and mineral and geological composition can be used as inputs including the time value of money data series yielding project, service, cash flows debit and internal rates of return.
FIG. 2A shows a collection of dams including an uncovered or uncapped capsule dam 100, containing the sectioned capsule dams 122 of a 200 mining quarry with several bank mining elevations. FIG. 2B illustrates a single dam 122 without associated conduits and other aspects merely for clarity. This dam may be similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 or any
46/58 other configuration. In some embodiments, it is anticipated that mining debris can be transferred below falls 230 or via conveyors 232 to quarry capsule dams 100 and 122 without any need for mining haul trucks.
FIG. 3 shows the projected permeability barriers 112 below the capsule dam 100 with the cover or fill material 302 on the sides and top of the capsule dam 100 to finally cover (following the process) and recover a new soil surface 300. Indigenous plants that may have been temporarily moved from the area can be replanted, such as 306 trees. The constructed infrastructures of the present invention can generally be the only structures of use that can be readily and safely closed with minimal additional remediation. This can dramatically reduce the costs associated with moving large volumes of spent materials. However, in some circumstances the built infrastructure can be excavated and reused. Some equipment, such as radio frequency (RF), tubular, devices and emitters can be recovered from inside the dam built upon completion of hydrocarbon recovery.
FIG. 4 shows computer means 130 controlling various properties of ducts inlets and outlets 118, 126, or 128 connected to the heat source 134 during the process between subdivided dams 122 within a collective dam 100 to control 1 heating of the permeable body. The heat can optionally be a closed loop, such that the gases are returned to the heat source
47/58 through return lines 135 or otherwise directed away from the dams. Similarly, the liquid and vapor collected from the dams can be monitored and collected in tank 136 and condenser 140, respectively. For example, liquid products can be collected through a drainage system (not shown) and stored in the liquid collection tank 136. Steam products from individual dams can be collected through an appropriate gas collection system and directed to the condenser. Condensable products are typically high-quality hydrocarbons, for example kerosene, jet fuels, or other high-grade fuels, and can be stored separately in the condensable tank 141. Similarly, non-condensable portions can be directed to other parts of the process or stored in tank 143. As previously described, liquid and vapor products can be combined or more often left as separate products depending on condensability, target product, and the like. A portion of the steam product can be condensed and combined with the liquid products in tank 136. However, much of the steam product will be C4 and lighter cases that can be burned, sold or used within the process. For example, hydrogen gas can be recovered using conventional gas separation and used to hydrotreat liquid products according to conventional breeding methods, for example catalytic, etc. or the gaseous non-condensable product can be burned to produce heat for use in heating the permeable body, heating an adjacent or nearby dam, heating areas of
48/58 service or personnel, or satisfying other process heat requirements. The built infrastructure can include thermocouples, pressure gauges, flow gauges, fluid dispersion gauges, wealth sensors and any other conventional process control devices distributed through the built infrastructure. These devices can each be operatively associated with a computer, such that heating rates, product flow rates, and pressures can be monitored or changed during heating of the permeable body. Optionally, local agitation can be performed using, for example, ultrasonic generators that are associated with the permeable body. Such agitation can facilitate the separation and pyrolysis of hydrocarbons from the underlying solid materials with which they are associated. In addition, sufficient agitation can reduce clogging and agglomeration through the permeable body and ducts.
FIG. 5 shows how any of the conduits can be used to transfer heat in any form of gas, liquid or heat via transfer means 510 from any capsule dam sectioned to another. Then, the refrigerated fluid can be transported by means of heat transfer means 512 to the capsule giving heat 500, or source giving heat 134 to take more heat from the capsule 500 to be recirculated to a destination capsule 522. Thus, various conduits can be used to transfer heat from one dam to another in order to recycle heat and control energy use to minimize energy losses.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an agent
49/58 hydrogen donor can be introduced into the permeable body during the heating step. The hydrogen donor agent can be any composition that is capable of hydrogenating the hydrocarbons and can optionally be a reducing agent. Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrogen donating agents may include synthesis gas, propane, methane, hydrogen, natural gas, natural gas condensates, industrial solvents, such as acetones, toluenes, benzene, xylenes, cumenes, cyclopentanes, cyclohexanes, minor alkenes (C4-C10), terpenes, substituted compounds of these solvents, etc., and the like. In addition, the recovered hydrocarbons can be subjected to hydrotreatment within the permeable body or subsequent to collection. Advantageously, the hydrogen recovered from the gas products can be reintroduced into the liquid product for improvement. Either way, hydrotreating or hydrodesulfurization can be very useful in reducing the nitrogen and sulfur content in final hydrocarbon products. Optionally, catalysts can be introduced to facilitate such reactions. In addition, the introduction of light hydrocarbons into the permeable body can lead to reform reactions that reduce molecular weight by increasing the ratio of hydrogen to carbon. This is particularly advantageous for use in the present invention due at least in part to the high permeability of the permeable body, for example often around 30% empty volume, although the empty volume can generally vary from approximately 15% to approximately 40% volume empty. The light hydrocarbons that can be injected can be any that
50/58 provide the reform for recovered hydrocarbons. Non-limiting examples of suitable light hydrocarbons include natural gas, natural gas condensates, industrial solvents, hydrogen donating agents, and other hydrocarbons having ten or less carbons, and often five or less carbons. Currently, natural gas is an effective, convenient and abundant light hydrocarbon. As previously mentioned, various solvents or other additives can also be added to aid in the extraction of hydrocarbon products from oil shale and can often also increase fluidity.
Light hydrocarbon can be introduced into the permeable body by transporting it through a delivery conduit having an open end in fluid communication with a lower portion of the permeable body such that light hydrocarbons (which are a gas under normal operating conditions) permeate through the permeable body. Alternatively, this same approach can be applied to recovered hydrocarbons that are first released to an empty dam. In this way, the dam can act as a containment tank for direct products from a nearby dam and as a reformer or updater. In this embodiment, the dam can be at least partially filled with a liquid product where the light gaseous hydrocarbon is passed through and allowed to contact the liquid hydrocarbon products at temperatures and conditions sufficient to achieve the reform according to well-known processes. Optional reforming catalysts that include metals, such as Pd, Ni or other catalytically active metals
51/58 can also be included in the liquid product inside the dam. The addition of catalysts can serve to lower and / or adjust the temperature and / or reforming pressure for particular liquid products. In addition, the dams of the present invention can be readily formed at almost any depth. Thus, optimal reforming pressures (or recovery pressures when using the depth of the dam as a pressure control measure to recover a permeable body) can be designed based on hydrostatic pressure due to the amount of liquid in the dam and the height of the dam , that is, P pgh. In addition, the pressure can vary considerably over the height of the dam sufficient to provide multiple reform zones and adjustable pressures. Generally, the pressures within the permeable body may be sufficient to achieve substantially only liquid extraction, although some smaller volumes of vapor may be produced depending on the particular composition of the permeable body. As a general guideline, pressures can range from approximately 507 kPa to approximately 5066 kPa, although pressures from approximately 608 kPa to approximately 2026 kPa can be particularly useful. However, any pressure greater than atmospheric can be used.
In one embodiment, the extracted crude oil has precipitated particles within the subdivided capsules. The extracted fluids and gases can be treated to remove particles and dust particles. The separation of shale oil particles can be accomplished by techniques such as, but not limited to, hot gas filtration,
52/58 precipitation, and recycling of heavy oil.
Hydrocarbon products recovered from the permeable body can further be processed (for example, refined) or used as produced. Any condensable gaseous products can be condensed by cooling and collecting, while non-condensable gases can be collected, burned as fuel, reinjected, or otherwise used or discarded. Optionally, mobile equipment can be used to collect gases.
These units can be readily oriented towards the control infrastructure and the gaseous product directed to it through appropriate conduits from an upper region of the control infrastructure.
In yet another alternative embodiment, heat within the permeable body can be recovered subsequent to the primary recovery of hydrocarbon materials therein. For example, a large amount of heat is retained in the permeable body. In an optional embodiment, the permeable body can be flooded with a heat transfer fluid, such as water to form a heated fluid, for example, heated water and / or steam. At the same time, this process can facilitate the removal of some residual hydrocarbon products by physically rinsing out spent shale solids. In some cases, the introduction of water and the presence of steam can result in water gas displacement reactions and synthesis gas formation. The steam recovered from this process can be used to drive a generator, directed to other nearby infrastructure, or otherwise used. Hydrocarbons and / or synthesis gas can be separated from the vapor or fluid
53/58 heated by conventional methods.
“Although the methods and infrastructure of the present invention allow for improved permeability and control of operating conditions, significant amounts of unrecovered hydrocarbons, precious metals, minerals, sodium bicarbonate or other commercially valuable materials often remain in the permeable body. Therefore, a selective solvent can be injected or introduced into the permeable body. Typically, this can be done subsequent to hydrocarbon collection, although certain selective solvents can be beneficially used before heating and / or collecting. This can be done using one or more of the existing ducts or by direct injection and percolation through the permeable body. The selective solvent or bleach can be chosen as a solvent for one or more target materials, for example minerals, precious metal, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, or sodium bicarbonate. In a specific embodiment, steam or carbon dioxide can be used as a permeable body rinse to dislodge at least a portion of any remaining hydrocarbons. This can be beneficial not only to remove potentially valuable by-products, but also to clean up remaining spent materials of heavy metal or inorganic trace to levels below detectable in order to comply with regulatory standards or prevent inadvertent leaching of materials on a date future.
More particularly, various recovery steps can be used before or after heating the permeable body to recover heavy metals, precious metals,
54/58 trace metals or other materials that have economic value 'or may cause undesirable problems during the heating of the permeable body. Typically, such material recovery can be accomplished prior to permeable body heat treatment. Recovery steps may include, but are by no means limited to, solution mining, leaching, solvent recovery, precipitation, acids (eg hydrochloric acid, acid halides, etc.), flotation, ionic resin exchange, galvanizing, or the like. For example, heavy metals, bauxite or aluminum, and mercury can be removed by flooding the permeable body with an appropriate solvent and recirculating the resulting bleach through appropriately designed ion exchange resins (eg granules, membranes, etc.).
Similarly, bioextraction, bioleaching, biorecovery, or bio-repair of hydrocarbon material, spent materials, or precious metals can be performed to further improve remediation, extract valuable metals, and restore spent material to acceptable environmental standards. In such bioextraction scenarios, conduits can be used to inject catalytic gases as a precursor that helps to encourage bioreation and growth. Such microorganisms and enzymes can biochemically oxidize the ore or cellulosic material or other biomass material before an extraction of ore solvent through biooxidation. For example, a perforated pipe or other mechanism can be used to inject a light hydrocarbon (for example methane, ethane, propane or butane) into the body
55/58 'permeable enough to stimulate the growth and action of * native bacteria. The bacteria can be native or introduced and can grow under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Such bacteria can release metals from the permeable body which can then be recovered by washing with an appropriate solvent or other appropriate recovery methods. The recovered metals can then be precipitated using conventional methods.
Synthesis gas can also be recovered from the permeable body 10 during the heating step. Various stages of gas production can be manipulated through processes that raise or lower operating temperatures within the encapsulated volume and adjust other * entrances to the dam to produce synthetic gases that '15 may include but are not limited to, carbon monoxide , hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrocarbons, ammonia, water, nitrogen or various combinations thereof. In one embodiment, temperature and pressure can be controlled within the permeable body to lower CO<sub>2</sub> while synthetic gases are extracted.
The hydrocarbon product recovered from the constructed infrastructure of the present invention can more often be further processed, for example, by improvement, refinement, etc. The sulfur from the enhancement processing and related refinements can be isolated in several sulfur capsules built into the larger structured dam capsule. The sulfur capsules built can be spent or dedicated built infrastructure for the purpose of storage and isolation after desulfurization.
56/58
Similarly, the spent hydrocarbon material remaining in the built infrastructure can be used in the production of cement and aggregate products for use in the construction or stabilization of the infrastructure itself or in the formation of infrastructures built outside. Such cement products made from spent shale may include, but are not limited to, mixtures with Portland cement, calcium, volcanic ash, perlite, synthetic nano-carbons, sand, fiberglass, crushed glass, asphalt, tar, binder resins , cellulosic plant fibers, and the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, injection, monitoring and production ducts or extraction outlets can be incorporated into any standard or) placement within the built infrastructure. • Monitoring of wells and geo-membrane layers built below or outside the built capsule confinement can be employed to monitor unwanted fluid and moisture migration outside confinement limits and the built infrastructure.
Although a prepared and filled built infrastructure can often be immediately heated to recover hydrocarbons, this is not required. For example, a built infrastructure that is built and filled with the mined hydrocarbon material can be left on-site as a proven reserve. Such structures are less susceptible to explosion or damage due to terrorist activity and can also provide strategic reserves of unprocessed petroleum products, with classified and known properties so that economic assessments can be increased and more predictable. 0
57/58 long-term oil storage often faces problems of quality deterioration over time. Thus, the present invention can optionally be used for quality assurance and long-term storage with reduced concerns about the breakdown and degradation of oil products. hydrocarbon.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the high quality liquid product can be mixed with lower viscous hydrocarbon products (for example, smaller API). For example, the kerogen oil produced from the dams can be mixed with bitumen to form a mixed oil. Bitumen is not typically transportable through extensive piping under conventional and accepted piping standards and can have substantially higher viscosity and substantially less API than kerogen oil. The amount of mixing can vary considerably depending on the particular quality of bitumen and kerogen oils. However, as a general guideline the blended oil may be 5% to 95% kerogen oil, in some cases from approximately 10% to approximately 40%, and in other cases from approximately 50% to 80%, with substantially a remainder of the mixed oil comprising bitumen. By mixing the kerogen oil and bitumen, the blended oil can be made transportable without the use of additional thinners or other viscosity modifiers or API. As a result, the mixed oil can be pumped through a pipe without requiring additional treatments to remove a diluent or return those diluents through a secondary pipe.
58/58
Conventionally, bitumen is combined with a diluent, such as condensed natural gas or other low molecular weight liquids, to allow it to be pumped to a remote position. The diluent is removed and returned through a second pipe back to the bitumen source. The present invention allows the elimination of return thinner and the simultaneous improvement of the bitumen.
It should be understood that the arrangements referenced above are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Thus, while the present invention has been described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous alternative modifications and arrangements can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as determined in the claims.
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Contents8
6 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6
34 members in 13 offices
Priority claims19
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60900505 | United States of America | – | |
| 90050507 | United States of America | P | |
| 90050507 | United States of America | P | |
| 60906634 | United States of America | – | |
| 90663407 | United States of America | P | |
| 90663407 | United States of America | P | |
| 60930711 | United States of America | – | |
| 93071107 | United States of America | P | |
| 93071107 | United States of America | P | |
| 2008053434 | United States of America | W | |
| 2008053434 | United States of America | W | |
| 2008053434 | – | – | – |
| 60900505 | – | – | – |
| 60906634 | – | – | – |
| 60930711 | – | – | – |
| US20070900505P | – | – | – |
| US20070906634P | – | – | – |
| US20070930711P | – | – | – |
| WO2008US53434 | – | – | – |
Members34
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2008213575A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CA2677518A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| US2008190813A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2008190815A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2008190816A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2008190818A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2008098177A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| EP2118239A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CN101646749A | China | A | |
| MA31232B1 | Morocco | B1 | |
| IL200235D0 | Israel | D0 | |
| ZA200905545B | South Africa | B | |
| US7862705B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US7862706B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2118239A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| US7906014B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| RU2009133777A | Russian Federation | A | |
| US2011094952A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US7967974B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| JO2601B1 | Jordan | B1 | |
| US8109047B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| AU2008213575B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| RU2450042C2 | Russian Federation | C2 | |
| IL200235A | Israel | A | |
| CN103666510A | China | A | |
| BRPI0807006A2This record | Brazil | A2 | |
| CN101646749B | China | B | |
| CA2677518C | Canada | C | |
| EP3006542A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CN103666510B | China | B | |
| EP3266852A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP3266852B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| ES2911411T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| BRPI0807006B1 | Brazil | B1 |
7 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Lapse because of non-payment of annual fees (definitively: art 78 iv lpi, resolution 113/2013 art. 12)LapsedEM VIRTUDE DA EXTINCAO PUBLICADA NA RPI 2866 DE 09-12-2025 E CONSIDERANDO AUSENCIA DE MANIFESTACAO DENTRO DOS PRAZOS LEGAIS, INFORMO QUE CABE SER MANTIDA A EXTINCAO DA PATENTE E SEUS CERTIFICADOS, CONFORME O DISPOSTO NO ARTIGO 12, DA RESOLUCAO 113/2013.B24J | B24J | |
| Lapse acc. art. 78, item iv - on non-payment of the annual fees in timeLapsedREFERENTE A 18A ANUIDADE.B21F | B21F | |
| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]GrantedPRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 08/02/2008, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF, QUE DETERMINA A ALTERACAO DO PRAZO DE CONCESSAO.B16A | B16A | |
| Appeal against refusal [chapter 12.2 patent gazette]AppealB12B | B12B | |
| Patent application refused [chapter 9.2 patent gazette]B09B | B09B | |
| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]B07A | B07A | |
| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]B07A | B07A |
Numbers
- Publication
- PI0807006
- Publication, DOCDB
- PI0807006
- Publication, EPODOC
- BRPI0807006
- Application
- 7006
- Application, DOCDB
- PI0807006
- Application, EPODOC
- BR2008PI07006
Titles2
- Portuguese
- MÉTODOS DE RECUPERAR DE HIDROCARBONETOS DE MATERIAL HIDROCARBONETO USANDO UMA INFRAESTRUTURA CONSTRUÍDA E SISTEMAS ASSOCIADOS
- English
- METHODS OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS FROM HYDROCARBON MATERIAL USING CONSTRUCTED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS
Classification
- CPC, 16
- C10G1/02
- C10B47/02
- C10B53/06
- C10G9/36
- C10G9/38
- C10G2300/1011
- C10G2300/1025
- C10G2300/308
- C10G2300/4037
- C10G2300/4062
- C10G2300/44
- C10G2300/80
- C10G2400/18
- Y02P30/20
- Y02P20/133
- Y02P20/129
- IPC, 2
- C10G9 00
- C10G11 00
