Method of extracting hydrocarbons from oil-containing rock or sand

Abstract

Method of extracting liquid hydrocarbons from oil-containing stone or sand, wherein the oil-containing stone or the oil-containing sand undergoes hydrogenating, low temperature carbonization in a reactor at temperatures of 450.degree. to 520.degree. C. and a pressure of approximately 50 bar through the action of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam, and wherein the hydrocarbons are separated from the resulting gaseous, low temperature carbonization mixture. The low temperature carbonization mixture from the reactor is cooled in a first separation stage to a temperature of approximately 350.degree. C. to condense the less volatile hydrocarbons. The separated, liquid phase is fed to a solids separator and placed in contact with a circulating gas of carbon dioxide and a C.sub.6 /C.sub.7 hydrocarbon fraction. The low temperature carbonization mixture containing uncondensed gases and more volatile hydrocarbons are washed in a second separation stage with water and cooled to approximately 250.degree. C. Gas containing hydrogen separated from the volatile hydrocarbons is fed at least partly to the reactor again. Carbon monoxide is obtained from the solids through the action of carbon dioxide, contained in hot, combustion gases. This carbon monoxide together with carbon dioxide of the combustion gases is fed to the reactor.