Systems and methods for extraction of hydrocarbons from comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material

Abstract

A method of collecting hydrocarbons from comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within a vertical retort infrastructure having an outer boundary substantially comprised of igneous cementations materials, an inlet, a substantially horizontal suspended grate, an outlet, and an auger disposed proximate the outlet. In the method comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material in introduced proximate an upper end of the vertical retort. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material is passed through the substantially horizontal suspended grate and heated while passing through the grate. The heat causes organic material within the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material to pyrolize. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material is then discharged through the outlet with the assistance of the auger disposed proximate the outlet.

1 . A method of collecting hydrocarbons from comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within a vertical retort infrastructure having an outer boundary substantially comprised of igneous cementations materials, an inlet, a substantially horizontal suspended grate, an outlet, and an auger disposed proximate the outlet, the method comprising:
 introducing the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material proximate an upper end of the vertical retort;   passing the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material through the substantially horizontal suspended grate;   heating the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material passing through the grate, wherein the heat is causes organic material within the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material to pyrolize; and   discharging the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material through the outlet with the assistance of the auger disposed proximate the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical retort control infrastructure is formed with an additional outer vapor sealing wall constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of: steel, metal, aluminum, alloyed material, a vapor barrier, and combinations of the same. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the igneous materials is comprised of a least one material selected from the group consisting of fly ash, crushed granite, pozzolon, and combinations of the same. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising raking the grate using a rake system to drive the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material into gaps in the grate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the substantially horizontal suspended grate is supported by suspended I-beams and wherein the rake system rests on the suspended I-beams. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising moving the rake system across at least one I-beam that supports the rake system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suspended grate system supports a hot gas injection system, and wherein the heating is performed by the hot gas injection system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical retort control infrastructure further comprises a second substantially horizontal grate system, the method further comprising:
 passing the hydrocarbonaceous material through the second substantially horizontal grate system within the vertical retort control infrastructure; and   introducing steam to the comminuted hydrocarbonaceous materials sufficient for cooling hydrocarbons from an elevated temperature.