Process for effecting even retort working fluid flow throughout an in situ retort containing carbonaceous deposits

摘要

The rubble pile in an in situ reactor, which has a low length- to- diameter ratio and limited retorting gas inlets and outlets, has a radial bulk permeability distribution controlled to provide retort working gas flow paths from the inlets to the outlets with substantially even overall flow resistance. Channeling of retort gas along paths of low resistance is therefore avoided. An example of the controlled radial distribution of bulk permeability is a cylindrical, vertical in situ retort having a retort gas inlet and outlet on its longitudinal axis. The bulk permeability of the rubble pile progressively increases from the center to the wall of the reactor. The rubble pile is created by undercutting a carbonaceous deposit and expanding, as by explosives, the unexcavated deposit overlying the undercut.