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 Title: |
US4018279:
In situ coal combustion heat recovery method
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Reynolds, Merrill J.; Tulsa, OK 74135
Disney, Ralph W.; Tulsa, OK 74103
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1977-04-19
/ 1975-11-12
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| Application Number: |
US1975000631108
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
E21B 43/243;
E21B 43/30;
Core:
E21B 43/00;
E21B 43/16;
IPC-7:
E21B 43/25;
F28D 21/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
E21B43/243; E21B43/30B;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
166/258;
048/DIG.006;
060/641.2;
165/045;
166/272.3;
Original:
166/258;
048/DIG.6;
165/045;
166/272;
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| Field of Search: |
048/DIG. 6
165/045
166/261,269,256-258,272
299/004
175/012
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| Priority Number: |
| 1975-11-12 |
US1975000631108 |
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| Abstract: |
A method for recovery of heat generated by the combustion of coal in situ within coal seams in the earth. Three embodiments are described: one, in which the coal seam crops out and into which can be drilled and inserted a pipe, through the coal seam, to a central point, where it is joined with a vertical pipe drilled from the surface. Water is supplied to the pipe at the point of outcrop. Fires are started within the coal seam and supplied with air from the surface by means of drilled boreholes. The heat of combustion converts the water in the pipe to steam which travels up the vertical pipe and is used to drive a turbine generator system. A second embodiment is used where there is an overlying aquafer above the coal seam. Fires are started by means of air supplied through boreholes leading from the surface into the coal seam. The heat of combustion converts the water in the aquafer to steam, which then is circulated out of the aquafer and up to the surface where it drives a turbine generator system. A third embodiment uses the hot combustion gases to heat water to steam in pipes in a vertical borehole.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Head, Johnson & Chafin ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Purser, Ernest R.;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
None
Family Legal Status Report
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| Family: |
Show 2 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 4 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. In a geologic province where a shallow coal seam is present contiguous to a porous formation, the method of burning the coal in situ and recovering the heat of combustion, comprising:
- a. drilling one or more vertical first boreholes from the surface through said porous formation and into said coal seam igniting said coal, and supplying air under pressure through said boreholes to maintain the combustion of said coal;
- whereby heat will be transferred from said hot coal seam to said contiguous porous formation;
- b. drilling at least one vertical second borehole from the surface to said porous formation and flowing water under pressure into said porous formation; whereby said water will be heated to steam; and
- c. drilling at least one vertical third borehole from the surface to said porous formation, inserting a first casing into said third borehole, and connecting said first casing to a steam energy utilization means and simultaneously utilize the heat energy in said steam.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 3 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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