US3929193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of organic matter from organic mineral-containing deposits
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
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Filing: 1974-09-23
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-09-23
Abstract
Abstract Organic matter, including valuable hydrocarbons, are recovered from organic mineral-containing deposits such as oil shale, tar sands, etc., by treating them with molecular sulfur and an extraction fluid, e.g., benzene, at temperatures ranging from about 200* to about 1000*F.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy B Duke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:23
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF ORGANIC MATTER FROM ORGANIC MINERAL-CONTAINING DEPOSITS SELECTED FROM THE GROUPS CONSISTING OF TAR SANDS, OIL SHALE, LIGNITE, TORBANITE, COORONGITE AND KUKERSITE, BY CONTACTING THE ORGANIC MINERALERAL-CONTAINING DEPOSITS AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM ABOUT 200 TO ABOUT 1000*F WITH AN EXTRACTION FLUID AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR, SAID ELEMENTAL SULFUR BEING PRESENT IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 0.001 TO ABOUT 0.5 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF SULFUR PER PART BY WEIGHT OF EXTRACTION FLUID.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF ORGANIC MATTER FROM ORGANIC MINERAL-CONTAINING DEPOSITS SELECTED FROM THE GROUPS CONSISTING OF TAR SANDS, OIL SHALE, LIGNITE, TORBANITE, COORONGITE AND KUKERSITE, BY CONTACTING THE ORGANIC MINERALERAL-CONTAINING DEPOSITS AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM ABOUT 200 TO ABOUT 1000*F WITH AN EXTRACTION FLUID AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR, SAID ELEMENTAL SULFUR BEING PRESENT IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 0.001 TO ABOUT 0.5 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF SULFUR PER PART BY WEIGHT OF EXTRACTION FLUID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the contact time between said organic mineral containing deposit and said extraction fluid and elemental sulfur is in the range of from about 0.01 to about 2000 hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the pressure is maintained in the range of zero to 5000 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the extraction fluid is contacted with the organic mineral-containing deposit at temperatures above its critical temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the extraction fluid is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, halogenated organic compounds, heterocyclic organic compounds, organic ether compounds, organic nitrogen-containing compounds, petroleum refinery products, and organic sulfur-containing compounds and mixtureS thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the extraction fluid comprises at least one cut from the fractional distillation of shale oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the extraction fluid is water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the organic matter comprises hydrocarbons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the organic mineral-containing deposits comprise oil shale.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3415573A
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US3488092A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |