Abstract: A method of producing combustible gases, synthetic crude oils, coal chemicals and heat from coal in situ utilizes the combined teachings of in situ gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis.

Abstract: A method of producing combustible gases, synthetic crude oils, coal chemicals and heat from coal in situ utilizes the combined teachings of in situ gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis in separated coal blocks.

Abstract: A method of producing combustible gases, synthetic crude oils, coal chemicals and heat from coal in situ utilizes the combined teachings of in situ gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis in separated coal blocks.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of superheated water as a heat carrier to melt or reduce the viscosity of a solid or semi-liquid hydrocarbon located in an underground deposit. Steam is injected in one conduit and water is injected in a second conduit. Steam is condensed and mixed with the injected water in an underground mixing chamber under sufficient pressure to maintain the resultant superheated water in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A Frasch process sulphur mine power plant is coupled to a steam-electric generating plant by a coupling heat exchange means, wherein the heat liberated by condensing steam is substantially used to bring Frasch mine water up to operating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of recovering energy from a subsurface petroleum formation by igniting the petroleum reservoir and burning as much petroleum as is possible thereby generating heat and recovering the heat so that it can be transformed into other forms of useful energy. The method also includes the steps of controlling the burning reservoir by injecting plugging agents into the more rapidly burning channels of the reservoir and by injecting oxidizing agents in spaced locations from the heat recovery location so that the burn pattern can be spread out over a selected area to maximize the recovery of energy from the selected area.

Abstract: Heat carrier fluid is circulated through an underground deposit of immobile petroleum. Circulation patterns are provided for more uniform heat transfer. Petroleum is made flowable and is recovered at the surface of the ground. Excessive underground channeling is controlled. Sand accumulations are removed from the well bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of petroleum from tar and heavy oil sands in which one or more injection passages and two or more removal passages are established between the surface of the ground and an underground petroleum deposit. Hot water is injected into the petroleum deposit at a temperature above the pour point temperature of the petroleum substance, and heat is transferred until the petroleum substance becomes flowable. Under the influence of induced pressure, the petroleum substance is made to flow countercurrent to the flow of heat, with the petroleum substance captured at the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A method of extracting energy and chemical values from coal in situ including the steps of establishing passages among two or more coal seams underground and the surface of the ground wherein one coal seam is consumed by in situ combustion with the hot exit gases diverted through a second seam of coal enroute to the surface. The second seam of coal is dewatered, then subjected to pyrolysis, with enriched exit gases captured at the surface.

Abstract: A method of in situ gasification of coal includes the steps of releasing reactant materials in a coal bed in a manner such that the reactants are directly exposed to the burning face of a coal bed under preselected temperatures and pressures whereby the incomplete combustion of the coal is affectively controlled. In one preferred form of the method, the heat generated from the combusted materials is captured and separated from the recovered gas so that the heat can be converted to other forms of energy separately from the recovered gas.

Abstract: A method of in situ gasification of coal includes the steps of releasing reactant materials in a coal bed in a manner such that the reactants are directly exposed to the burning face of a coal bed under preselected temperatures and pressures whereby the incomplete combustion of the coal is affectively controlled. In one preferred form of the method, the heat generated from the combusted materials is captured and separated from the recovered gas so that the heat can be converted to other forms of energy separately from the recovered gas.

Abstract: The process of the invention includes the concept of igniting a coal formation in situ with hot granular material and subsequently allowing the material to flow into the burning coal formation to serve as a propping agent in the event of a cave-in. Gasifying agents are injected into the formation in an alternating pattern to alternately oxidize and reduce the coal environment to optimize the BTU content of the recovered gas. Further, a heat receptive liquid is circulated through the casing in the well connecting the coal formation to the surface to strip the sensible heat from the produced gases so that the heat can be used for useful purposes apart from the produced gas.

Abstract: A method of liquefying a coal formation in situ wherein the coal formation has been preheated as by a coal gasification project, includes the steps of establishing injection and removal passages connecting the coal formation to the surface, injecting water having a temperature below the formation temperature into the formation to gradually lower the temperature of the formation while forming synthesis gas, injecting a solvent material, having the capability of dissolving the coal, into the formation after it has been reduced to the desired temperature, injecting synthesis gas into the formation to hydrogenate the coal, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of coal and solvent material from the formation as a synthetic crude oil.