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US 4,099,567 AGranted
Generating medium BTU gas from coal in situ
AssigneeIn Situ Technology, Inc.
InventorRuel Carlton Terry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Medium BTU gas is generated from coal in situ by establishing communication channels through the coal in part by projectiles and in part by burning. Oxygen is employed for reaction with the coal and reaction temperatures are controlled by injection of steam.
Claims9
A method of producing coal in situ comprising the steps of
- sinking a first bore hole from the surface of the earth into an underground coal deposit,
- sinking a second bore hole from the surface of the earth into the said underground coal deposit, the said second bore hole being spaced apart from the said first bore hole,
- establishing hermetic seals within the said first and second bore holes,
- establishing a communication passage through the said underground coal, the said communication passage being in fluid communication with the said first bore hole and the said second bore hole, the said communication passage through the said underground coal being accomplished by
- lowering a perforating gun into the said first bore hole, the said perforating gun being positioned within the said underground coal and the said perforating gun being aligned toward the said second bore hole, then
- firing a first projectile from the said perforating gun;
- removing the said perforating gun from the said first bore hole,
- lowering the said perforating gun into the said second bore hole, the said perforating gun being positioned within the said underground coal and the said perforating gun being aligned toward the trajectory of the said first projectile fired from the said first bore hole, then
- firing a second projectile from the said perforating gun, and
- removing the said perforating gun from the said second bore hole, and
- further including the enlargement of the said communication passage through the said underground coal, comprising the steps of
- injecting oxygen in the said first well bore,
- igniting the said coal in the said second well bore,
- continuing injections of the said oxygen until the underground fire burns through to the said first well bore.
11 more elements
A method of producing coal in situ comprising the steps of
- sinking a first bore hole from the surface of the earth into an underground coal deposit,
- sinking a second bore hole from the surface of the earth into the said underground coal deposit, the said second bore hole being spaced apart from the said first bore hole,
- establishing hermetic seals within the said first and second bore holes,
- establishing a communication passage through the said underground coal, the said communication passage being in fluid communication with the said first bore hole and the said second bore hole, the said communication passage through the said underground coal being accomplished by
- lowering a perforating gun into the said first bore hole, the said perforating gun being positioned within the said underground coal and the said perforating gun being aligned toward the said second bore hole, then
- firing a first projectile from the said perforating gun;
- removing the said perforating gun from the said first bore hole,
- lowering the said perforating gun into the said second bore hole, the said perforating gun being positioned within the said underground coal and the said perforating gun being aligned toward the trajectory of the said first projectile fired from the said first bore hole, then
- firing a second projectile from the said perforating gun, and
- removing the said perforating gun from the said second bore hole, and
- further including the enlargement of the said communication passage through the said underground coal comprising the steps of
- sinking a third bore hole from the surface of the earth into the said underground coal, the said third bore hole being in fluid communication with the said communication passage through the said underground coal, the said third bore hole being spaced apart from the said first bore hole and the said second bore hole,
- establishing an hermetic seal within the said third well bore,
- injecting oxygen through the said third bore hole and into the said communication passage through the said coal,
- igniting the said coal in the said first bore hole,
- igniting the said coal in the said second bore hole, and
- continuing injection of the said oxygen until the underground fire burns through to the said third well bore.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.