The effect of mineral species on oil shale char combustion
In order to increase the energy efficiency of above-ground oil shale processes, the carbonaceous residue (''char'') remaining on retorted oil shale (''spent'' shale) will either be combusted or gasified. Although there is no great difficulty in combusting the char, it is important that combustion be carried out in a controlled fashion. Failure to do so can result in high temperatures (>900/sup 0/K) and the decomposition of mineral carbonates. These decomposition reactions are not only endothermic but some of the products have the potential to cause environmental disposal problems. Control of oil shale char combustion is more easily managed if there is a knowledge of how the rate of combustion depends on O/sub 2/ concentration and temperature. This motivation led to an earlier study of the combustion kinetics of spent shale from the Parachute Creek Member in western Colorado. That study provided evidence that one or more of the mineral species present in the shale acted as an oxidation catalyst. Consequently it was decided to follow up on that investigation by examining the combustion activity of other oil shales; specifically those with differing elemental and/or mineral compositions. Six oil shale samples were selected for evaluation and comparison: one from the Parachute Creek Member (PCM), one from a deep core sample in the C-a tract (C-a), two from the saline zone in western Colorado (S-A and S-B), one from the Geokinetics site in eastern Utah (GEOK) and one sample of Antrim shale from Michigan (ANT). On the basis of the studies conducted here, it is readily apparent that the presence of minerals can drastically alter the reactivity of the residual char on spent oil shale. More detailed quantitative studies are necessary in order to be able to assess their importance under typical oil shale processing conditions and will be the subject of future manuscripts from this laboratory.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- OSTI ID:
- 6288796
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-830303-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 28:1; Conference: 185. American Chemical Society national meeting, Seattle, WA, USA, 20 Mar 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHARS
COMBUSTION CONTROL
COMBUSTION KINETICS
MINERALS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
COLORADO
COMBUSTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
MICHIGAN
OIL SHALES
SPENT SHALES
UTAH
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION V
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
KINETICS
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDATION
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
REACTION KINETICS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
040500* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Properties & Composition