Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Embodiments of the invention provide a portable charcoal system and method of operating thereof, wherein the portable charcoal system comprises a first compartment adapted to burn a material, a second compartment connected to the first compartment and adapted to receive the material from the first compartment, and a third compartment adapted to receive the material from the second compartment, the third compartment comprising an auger adapted to move the material from a back end to a front end, and out of the third compartment. The portable charcoal system further includes a source of air.

Embodiments of the invention provide a portable charcoal system and method of operating thereof, wherein the portable charcoal system comprises a first compartment adapted to burn a material, a second compartment connected to the first compartment and adapted to receive the material from the first compartment, and a third compartment adapted to receive the material from the second compartment, the third compartment comprising an auger adapted to move the material from a back end to a front end, and out of the third compartment. The portable charcoal system further includes a source of air.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.