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In situ processing of hydrocarbon-bearing formations with variable frequency automated capacitive radio frequency dielectric heating

  • US 7,091,460 B2
  • Filed: 03/15/2004
  • Issued: 08/15/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for heating a medium, said medium comprising hydrocarbonaceous material selected from the group consisting of oil shale, tar sand, oil sand, coal, bitumen, and/or kerogen, comprising:

  • (a) subjecting said medium to an alternating current electrical field generated by a radio frequency waveform applied at a predetermined frequency range that heats said medium;

    (b) measuring an effective load impedance initially dependent upon the impedance of said medium;

    (c) comparing said effective load impedance with an output impedance of a signal generating unit that generates said radio frequency waveform; and

    (d) automatically adjusting said effective load impedance to match said output impedance of said signal generating unit.

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