Abstract: A metal-dissolving apparatus and process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a metal inlet for receiving a metal-containing substance, a solution inlet for receiving a metal-dissolving solution, a solution outlet for providing the metal-dissolving solution comprising dissolved metals. The apparatus comprises a length and a height, the height being less than the length. The process comprises providing a metal-dissolving solution into a first location of a reactor comprising metal-containing substances, flowing the metal-dissolving solution through the reactor, dissolving metal from the metal-containing substances into the metal-dissolving solution, and discharging the metal-dissolving solution from the reactor.

Abstract: Recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale can include injecting a heated working fluid into a first vessel containing particulate oil shale in a pyrolysis mode. The heated working fluid can have a temperature above a production temperature to pyrolyze kerogen in a stationary bed of the oil shale at or above the production temperature. An effluent can concurrently flow out of the first vessel to be injected into a second vessel in preheating mode. The second vessel containing particulate oil shale has an average temperature below the production temperature so as to capture heat from the effluent sufficient to increase the average temperature of the particulate oil shale and to condense condensable hydrocarbon product while also removing entrained mineral fines mists of condensed hydrocarbons from the effluent. Liquid hydrocarbons can concurrently be collected from the first vessel and/or the second vessel.

Abstract: Recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale can include injecting a heated working fluid into a first vessel containing particulate oil shale in a pyrolysis mode. The heated working fluid can have a temperature above a production temperature to pyrolyze kerogen in a stationary bed of the oil shale at or above the production temperature. An effluent can concurrently flow out of the first vessel to be injected into a second vessel in preheating mode. The second vessel containing particulate oil shale has an average temperature below the production temperature so as to capture heat from the effluent sufficient to increase the average temperature of the particulate oil shale and to condense condensable hydrocarbon product while also removing entrained mineral fines mists of condensed hydrocarbons from the effluent. Liquid hydrocarbons can concurrently be collected from the first vessel and/or the second vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems of heating a body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material to produce hydrocarbons therefrom can involve heating multiple zones of the body of material sequentially. An exemplary method can include forming a body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone can be heated in a first heating stage to form a dynamic high temperature production region in the first zone. A cooling fluid can then be injected into the first zone after the high temperature production region forms. The high temperature production region can move into the second zone in a second heating stage. Hydrocarbons can be collected from the body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material during both the first and second heating stages.

Abstract: Methods and systems of heating a body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material to produce hydrocarbons therefrom can involve heating multiple zones of the body of material sequentially. An exemplary method can include forming a body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone can be heated in a first heating stage to form a dynamic high temperature production region in the first zone. A cooling fluid can then be injected into the first zone after the high temperature production region forms. The high temperature production region can move into the second zone in a second heating stage. Hydrocarbons can be collected from the body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material during both the first and second heating stages.