Marine clathrate mining and sediment separation

Patent 6209965 Issued on April 3, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 10, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Sandia Corporation

Application

No. 209219 filed on 12/10/1998

US Classes:

299/8, Separation below surface of earth or water37/322, With downstream directed jet nozzle37/329, Axis transverse with respect to suction pipe37/343, Rotary digging element299/9, Material mined or excavated underwater299/17Jetting (e.g., hydraulic mining)

Examiners

Primary: Lillis, Eileen D.
Assistant: Kreck, John

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Elliot; Russell D., Bieg; Kevin W.

International Class

E02F 007/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mining of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing clathrate such as is found on the ocean floor. The hydrocarbon containing clathrate is disaggregated from sediment by first disrupting clathrate-containing strata using continuous mining means such as a rotary tilling drum, a fluid injector, or a drill. The clathrate-rich portion of sediment thus disrupted from the sea floor strata are carried through the apparatus to regions of relative lower pressure and/or relative higher temperature where the clathrate further dissociates into component hydrocarbons and water. The hydrocarbon is recovered with the assistance of a gas that is injected and buoys the hydrocarbon containing clathrate helping it to rise to regions of lower pressure and temperature where hydrocarbon is released. The sediment separated from the hydrocarbon returns to the ocean floor.

Other References

Journal of Petroleum Geology, vol. 19(1), Jan. 1996, pp. 42-56, Oceanic Methane Hydrates: A "Frontier" Gas Resource, authored by Max, et al., (In Spec at P. 2)
Methane Hydrate, A Special Clathrate: Its Attributes and Potential, dated Feb. 28, 1997, (In Spec at P. 2)
Oceanic Gas Hydrates: Guidance for Research and Programmatic Development, Max, et al., Dec. 31, 1997 (In Spec at P. 2)
Natural Gas Hydrates: Artic and Nordic Sea Potential, in Arctic Geology and Petroleum Potential, edited by T. O. Vorren, et al. (In Spec at P. 2)
"Marine and Continential Gas Hydrates: Development of a Potential Strategic Energy Source," Geosciences and Geotechnology Center, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, white paper submitted to U.S. Senator Robert Graham, Jul. 31, 1997. (Discusses the clathrate resource and mining opportunities