Roger L Day from Rifle, CO, age 75

Process For Control Of Crystallization Of Inorganics From Aqueous Solutions

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US Patent:

6660049, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/741456

Inventors:

Roger L. Day - Rifle CO

Assignee:

Natural Soda AALA, Inc. - Rifle CO

International Classification:

C01D 700

US Classification:

23300, 23302 R, 23302 T, 23304, 423422

Abstract:

Process of crystallization of sodium bicarbonate from solution mined Nahcolite pregnant liquor comprising the use of from about 2 to 100 parts per million of lecithin, introduced full strength, made miscible in water with a soap or detergent, saponified with NaOH at a pH of 10-12, or preferably as a mixture of lecithin in pregnant or barren liquor containing HCO /CO ions at a pH in the range of from about 8 to 12, preferaby 8-10. The lecithin functions as a crystal growth modifier, producing improved crystal yields, product size classification, improved crystal shape including reduction in dendritic, branched and twinned forms, very significant scale reduction, reduction in wet cake moisture, increase in product bulk density, reduction in both oversize and undersize fractions (the classification phenomenon) and less breakage during drying and handling. The aqueous lecithin premix is preferably added to a pregnant liquor tank, and may also be added in one or more crystallizers in the circuit in batch (timed aliquots) or continuously metered in proportion to throughput. The process may also be applied to crystallization of carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, nitrates, sulfates, hydroxides and borates of Na, Li, K, Ca and Mg from aqueous solutions including brines.

Methods For Constructing Underground Borehole Configurations And Related Solution Mining Methods

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US Patent:

7611208, Nov 3, 2009

Filed:

Aug 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/206659

Inventors:

Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
James A. Herickhoff - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Sesqui Mining, LLC - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

C01D 7/12

US Classification:

299 4, 299 5, 166303, 166304, 166310, 4232062, 23297, 23298, 23299, 23302 T

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

In Situ Method And System For Extraction Of Oil From Shale

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US Patent:

7921907, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

May 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/779791

Inventors:

Alan K. Burnham - Livermore CA, US
Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
P. Henrick Wallman - Berkeley CA, US
James R. McConaghy - Salida CO, US
Harry Gordon Harris - Laramie WY, US
Paul Lerwick - Midland TX, US
R. Glenn Vawter - Glenwood Springs CO, US

Assignee:

American Shale Oil, LLC - Newark NJ

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166 57, 166245, 166248, 166307

Abstract:

A system and process for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean body of oil shale within an oil shale deposit located beneath an overburden. The system comprises an energy delivery subsystem to heat the body of oil shale and a hydrocarbon gathering subsystem for gathering hydrocarbons retorted from the body of oil shale. The energy delivery subsystem comprises at least one energy delivery well drilled from the surface of the earth through the overburden to a depth proximate a bottom of the body of oil shale, the energy delivery well extending generally downward from a surface location above a proximal end of the body of oil shale to be retorted and continuing proximate the bottom of the body of oil shale. The energy delivery well may extend into the body of oil shale at an angle.

Methods For Constructing Underground Borehole Configurations And Related Solution Mining Methods

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US Patent:

8057765, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Sep 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/566446

Inventors:

Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
James A. Herickhoff - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Sesqui Mining, LLC - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

C01D 7/00

US Classification:

4232062, 166303, 299 4

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

In Situ Method And System For Extraction Of Oil From Shale

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US Patent:

8162043, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Mar 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/039847

Inventors:

Alan K. Burnham - Livermore CA, US
Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
P. Henrick Wallman - Berkeley CA, US
James R. McConaghy - Salida CO, US

Assignee:

American Shale Oil, LLC - Newark NJ

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166 57, 166245, 166248, 166307

Abstract:

A process for retorting and extracting sub-surface hydrocarbons. The process comprises drilling an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are heated from the bottom to form a retort, the retort extending along a portion of the energy delivery well. A vapor tube is extended to a location proximate the retort, the vapor tube having an entrance corresponding to the region of the retort along the energy delivery well that is nearest the surface exit.

Conduction Convection Reflux Retorting Process

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US Patent:

8464792, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

May 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/779826

Inventors:

Alan K. Burnham - Livermore CA, US
Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
P. Henrick Wallman - Berkeley CA, US
James R. McConaghy - Salida CO, US

Assignee:

American Shale Oil, LLC - Newark NJ

International Classification:

E21B 36/02
E21B 43/24

US Classification:

1662721, 166 50, 166 52, 166 59, 166256, 166302

Abstract:

A sub-surface hydrocarbon production system comprising an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons to be produced. A production well extends from the surface to a location proximate the hydrocarbon and a convection passage extends between the energy delivery well and the production well thereby forming a convection loop. The energy delivery well and the production well intersect at a location proximate the hydrocarbon such that the convection loop is in the form of a triangle. Preferably, the convection passage extends upwardly from a point at which the convection passage intersects the production well. The system also includes a heater, such as an electric heater or down-hole burner, disposed in the energy delivery well.

Methods For Constructing Underground Borehole Configurations And Related Solution Mining Methods

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US Patent:

20120027516, Feb 2, 2012

Filed:

Jul 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/193995

Inventors:

Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US
James A. Herickhoff - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

SESQUI MINING, LLC - Fort Collins CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/29
E21B 7/00
E21C 41/16

US Classification:

405 55, 299 5, 299 4, 175 57, 175 62

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Heater And Method For Recovering Hydrocarbons From Underground Deposits

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US Patent:

20120205109, Aug 16, 2012

Filed:

Nov 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/127969

Inventors:

Alan K. Burnham - Livermore CA, US
P. Henrik Wallman - Berkeley CA, US
James R. McConaghy - Salida CO, US
Roger L. Day - Rifle CO, US

Assignee:

AMERICAN SHALE OIL, LLC - Newark NJ

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166302, 166 59

Abstract:

Heater embodiments are presented to aid in the recovery of hydrocarbon from underground deposits. In one embodiment, a heater is provided to a well that has been drilled through an oil-shale deposit. A fuel and an oxidizer are provided to the heater and flue gases are recovered. The heater has a counterflow design and provides a nearly uniform temperature along the heater length. The heater may be designed to operate at different temperatures and depths to pyrolyze or otherwise heat underground hydrocarbon deposits to form a product that is easily recovered and which is useful without substantial further processing. Various embodiments of a counterflow heater are described including heaters having, down the heater length, distributed reaction zones, distributed catalytic oxidation of the fuel, and discrete or continuous heat generation. The heaters may also utilize inert gases from product recovery or from heater flue gases to control the heater temperature.