Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.

Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.

Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.

Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.

Abstract: An articulating conduit linkage system for maintaining a fluid connection between a fluid source and displaceable conduit that has been buried in a subsiding permeable body. A fluid source can supply a working fluid through a source outlet. A displaceable conduit can receive the working fluid through a conduit inlet, and be buried at a depth within a subsiding permeable body that is contained within a permeability control infrastructure. A plurality of articulating conduit segments can include, an outer conduit segment coupled to the source outlet, an inner conduit segment coupled to the conduit inlet, and at least one middle conduit segment coupled to the outer and inner segments. In the event of a subsidence, the plurality of articulating conduit segments are configured so the outer and inner conduit segments extend the conduit linkage system while maintaining a working fluid connection between the source outlet and the conduit inlet.

Abstract: An articulating conduit linkage system for maintaining a fluid connection between a fluid source and displaceable conduit that has been buried in a subsiding permeable body. A fluid source can supply a working fluid through a source outlet. A displaceable conduit can receive the working fluid through a conduit inlet, and be buried at a depth within a subsiding permeable body that is contained within a permeability control infrastructure. A plurality of articulating conduit segments can include, an outer conduit segment coupled to the source outlet, an inner conduit segment coupled to the conduit inlet, and at least one middle conduit segment coupled to the outer and inner segments. In the event of a subsidence, the plurality of articulating conduit segments are configured so the outer and inner conduit segments extend the conduit linkage system while maintaining a working fluid connection between the source outlet and the conduit inlet.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the structural integrity of heating conduit used to heat a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material enclosed within a constructed permeability control infrastructure. The method includes obtaining a heating conduit with corrugated walls and configured for transporting a heat transfer fluid, burying the heating conduit at a depth within the permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material and with an inlet end extending from the boundary of the constructed permeability control infrastructure, operably coupling the inlet end of the heating conduit to a heat source of the heat transfer fluid, and passing the heat transfer fluid through the heating conduit to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the permeable body, with the corrugations in the corrugated walls mitigating longitudinal axis thermal expansion of the heating conduit and allowing the heating conduit to conformably bend in response to subsidence of the permeable body.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. Hydrocarbon products can be collected from intermediate locations within the permeable body. Advantageously, an intermediate fluid collection system can be used to draw a hydrocarbon product from the permeable body at preselected locations. Such intermediate collection can provide hydrocarbon product fractions which can reduce or eliminate the need for full-scale distillation of a hydrocarbon product having a full range of products such as that typically found in crude oil.

Abstract: A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen.

Abstract: A method of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be contacted with an agent sufficient to remove minerals therefrom. The agent is typically a solution containing a solvent, leachant, chelating agent and the like via which minerals can be removed having value, toxic minerals, radioactive minerals and the like.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.

Abstract: A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material.

Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure.

Abstract: A method of transporting heavy hydrocarbons can include blending a kerogen oil with a bitumen to form a blended oil sufficient to render the blended oil transportable through an extended pipeline. The blended oil can be substantially free of additional diluents or viscosity modifiers and can be readily pumped through the extended pipeline from a source location to a destination location.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume having substantially permeable side walls and a substantially impermeable cap. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom without contamination or substantial leaching of materials outside of the impoundment. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a stationary permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom within a temperature range which is sufficient to substantially avoid formation of carbon dioxide or non-hydrocarbon leachates. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined or separately collected water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via an outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.