Patent ID: 6709573
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A thermal method for treating crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids to extract hydrocarbons therefrom comprising the steps of:(a) blending the crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids to provide a substantially uniform feed composition; (b) preheating the crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids to remove any residual water; (c) treating the preheated crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids in a substantially horizontal rotary kiln having an upper end and a slight slope downward with (i) hot syn gas containing between about 25% and 60% by weight hydrogen and between about 10% and 20% by weight carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature and (ii) sprayed liquid hydrocarbon which vaporizes and mixes with the hot syn gas, in the absence of water, wherein pressure inside the kiln is below 30 psi and the crushed solids are introduced at the upper end of the sloped kiln and cascade into the hot syn gas for sufficient time to vaporize volatile components from the crushed solids to produce vaporized hydrocarbon materials, enriched syn gas and spent solids; (d) removing the vaporized hydrocarbon materials, enriched syn gas and spent solids from the kiln; and (e) fractionating the vaporized hydrocarbon materials and enriched syn gas into desired fractions.