Assessment of transport processes using a combined pyrolysis-combustion model for the retorting of oil shale

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · In Situ; (United States)

OSTI ID:5880361

Crowl, D A; Piccirelli, R A

A mathematical model is developed to represent the coupled mass and energy transport effects of simultaneous pyrolysis and combustion processes occurring within a single piece of consolidated oil shale. Major emphasis is placed on assessing the relative importance of the coupled transport processes. Numerical solution of the resulting equations using Antrim oil shale parameters show a number of important effects. First, it is possible for the combustion oxygen to diffuse against the outgoing stream of pyrolysis products. Thus, simultaneous pyrolysis and combustion fronts can occur within the same localized region of shale. Second, the heat generated at the combustion front can conduct through the solid shale to the pyrolysis zone. This leads to a substantial increase in pyrolysis activity.

• Research Organization: College of Engineering Energy Center, Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202
• OSTI ID: 5880361
• Journal Information: In Situ; (United States), Vol. 6:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
OIL SHALES
RETORTING
COMBUSTION
EQUATIONS
HEAT FLOW
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PYROLYSIS
TRANSPORT
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
040400* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Oil Production
Recovery
& Refining