Apparatus, system, and method for shale pyrolysis
AssigneePyro Dynamics, LLC
InventorGary G. Otterstrom
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Abstract
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.
Claims18
A shale pyrolysis system comprising:
- a retort comprising a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side comprising descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort;
- steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side;
- and
- a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.
A method of shale pyrolysis, comprising:
- providing a retort comprising a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side comprising descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort;
- providing steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side;
- providing a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort;
- filling the retort with shale;
- moving shale through the retort by continuously removing shale at the bottom of the retort and adding shale at the top;
- pyrolyzing the shale by using the steam temperature control subsystem and the steam distributors to deliver the higher-temperature steam to the upper portion of the retort and the lower-temperature steam to the lower portion of the retort;
- and
- removing shale pyrolysis gases and the steam via the collectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.