US4238315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of oil from oil shale
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1978-10-31
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Granted: 1980-12-09
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Expires: 1998-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering oil from oil shale containing kerogen which comprises bringing a mixture of oil shale and solvent to a temperature in the range of about 385 DEG to about 440 DEG C. in a time period of less than about 10 minutes, maintaining said mixture at a temperature in the range of about 385 DEG to about 440 DEG C. and a pressure in the range of about 250 to about 2000 pounds per square inch gauge (about 1.72 MPa to about 13.8 MPa) for a period of about 20 minutes to about two hours and thereafter recovering the resulting oil.
Inventors
- 👤 II John F. Patzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:31
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A process for recovering oil from oil shale containing kerogen which comprises bringing a mixture of oil shale and solvent to a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. in a time period of less than about 10 minutes, maintaining said mixture at a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. and a pressure in the range of about 250 to about 2000 pounds per square inch gauge for a period of about 20 minutes to about two hours and thereafter recovering the resulting oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for recovering oil from oil shale containing kerogen which comprises bringing a mixture of oil shale and solvent to a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. in a time period of less than about 10 minutes, maintaining said mixture at a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. and a pressure in the range of about 250 to about 2000 pounds per square inch gauge for a period of about 20 minutes to about two hours and thereafter recovering the resulting oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. in a time period of about two to about 10 minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process of claim 1 wherein said mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 400° to about 420° C. in a time period of about three to about five minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said mixture is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 400° to about 420° C. and a pressure in the range of about 500 to about 1200 pounds per square inch gauge for about 50 to about 80 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent to shale weight ratio is about 1.25:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent to shale weight ratio is about 1.5:1 to about 2:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is an organic solvent in which the resulting oil is soluble and which is liquid under reaction conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said organic solvent has a boiling point at ambient pressure of about 80° to about 400° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said organic solvent has a boiling point at ambient pressure of about 200° to about 350° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is tetralin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said shale has a mesh size of about 10 to about 400.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said shale has a mesh size of about 20 to about 200.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said shale has a mesh size of about 10 to about 400, the solvent to shale weight ratio is about 1.25:1 to about 4:1, the solvent is an organic solvent in which the resulting oil is soluble and which is liquid under reaction conditions, the solvent having a boiling point at ambient pressure of about 80° to about 400° C., said mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. in a time period of about two to about ten minutes and said mixture is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 385° to about 440° C. and a pressure of about 250 to about 2000 pounds per square inch gauge for about 20 minutes to about two hours.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said shale has a mesh size of about 20 to about 200, the solvent to shale weight ratio is about 1.5:1 to about 2:1, the solvent is an organic solvent in which the resulting oil is soluble and which is liquid under reaction conditions, the solvent having a boiling point at ambient pressure of about 200° to about 350° C., said mixture is brought to a temperature in the range of about 400° to about 420° C. in a time period of about three to about five minutes and said mixture is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 400° to about 420° C. and a pressure of about 500 to about 1200 pounds per square inch gauge for about 50 to about 80 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |