Patent ID: 8365478

Claim:
A constructed permeability control infrastructure, comprising: a) a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume, said impoundment comprising clay, bentonite clay, bentonite amended soil, compacted fill, refractory cement, cement, synthetic geogrids, fiberglass, rebar, nanocarbon fullerene additives, filled geotextile bags, polymeric resins, oil resistant PVC liners, engineered cementitious composites (ECC), fiber reinforced composites, geosynthetic fabrics, sealant, grout, or combinations thereof, wherein the control infracstructure is formed in direct contact with walls of an excavated hydrocarbonaceous material deposit or is freestanding having either a foundation support of earthen material or a local surface topography as a floor; b) a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume forming a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material; and c) an intermediate fluid collection system oriented within the permeable body and configured to draw a hydrocarbon product from the permeable body.