US PATENT SUBCLASS 166 / 260
.~.~ Injecting specific fuel or catalyst for burning into formation


Current as of: June, 1999
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166 /   HD   WELLS

244.1  DF  PROCESSES {39}
256  DF  .~ In situ combustion {6}
260.~.~ Injecting specific fuel or catalyst for burning into formation


DEFINITION

Classification: 166/260

(under subclass 256) A process in which (1) a burnable substance is placed into the pores of the earth and burned therein or (2) a catalyst for affecting the burning operation is placed into the pores of the earth.

(1) Note. For classification as an original in this subclass the burnable substance should be recited in a claim with some specificity since it is very common to insert fuel into the pores of the earth for in situ combustion. A mere recitation of a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air or oxygen is not enough. However, a recitation of a specific ratio of fuel to oxygen or air is sufficient. Also a statement in a claim of the injection of fuel in a significant sequence such as after an air injection is also sufficient.

(2) Note. "Burned" in the definition means a vigorous union of a substance with oxygen.

(3) Note. A process in which a material is placed into the pores of the earth for some other purpose and is not said to be burned though it may actually be incidentally burned is not included under this definition. Such a process would be classifiable in subclass 261.