CONVECTIVE FLOW BARRIER FOR HEATING OF BULK HYDROCARBONACEOUS MATERIALS

摘要

A system for disrupting convective heat flow within a body of hydrocarbonaceous material includes a body of hydrocarbonaceous material which is sufficiently porous that convective currents can form in void spaces of the material. A bulk fluid occupies these void spaces and the bulk fluid is heated by a heat source, causing the bulk fluid to flow through the void spaces in convective currents. A convective barrier is placed in an upper portion of the body of hydrocarbonaceous material. This convective barrier is configured to disrupt convective flow of the bulk fluid.

主权项

1. A system for disrupting convective heat flow within a body of hydrocarbonaceous material comprising:
a) a body of hydrocarbonaceous material having a distributed void space therein with sufficient porosity to allow convective flow within the void space; b) a bulk fluid oriented in the void space of the body of hydrocarbonaceous material; c) a heat source configured to induce convective flow of the bulk fluid; and d) a convective barrier oriented near or within an upper portion of the body of hydrocarbonaceous material configured to disrupt the convective flow.