Isothermal pyrolysis and char combustion of oil shales

Conference · Wed Feb 03 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5085095

Coburn, T T; Taylor, R W; Morris, C J; Duval, V

Yields and rates of hydrocarbons evolved during pyrolysis of oil shales have been measured with improved accuracy. Green River and New Albany oil shales were heated in a fluidized sand bed, and volatile pyrolysis products were transferred to a combustion tube and burned. Resulting H/sub 2/O and CO/sub 2 were detected in real time by mass spectrometry. Residual char was subsequently burned to allow complete C and H balances. Good closure was obtained. Proportions of organic C and H released as pyrolysis products and retained as char were determined. Shale oil loss due to the presence of oxidized shale in the fluidized bed was measured accurately. We find that all of the experimental apparatus that the pyrolysis gas contacts must be near pyrolysis temperature to avoid condensation of heavy oil which subsequently forms coke and secondary products. We observe a faster release of products with all transfer lines 450/degree/C than when they are at 300/degree/C. The current uncertainty in pyrolysis rates is due in part to such difficulties with experimental techniques. 12 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5085095
• Report Number(s): UCRL-98064; CONF-880589-2; ON: DE88010709
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040402* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHARS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDIZED BEDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GREEN RIVER FORMATION
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INFORMATION
ISOTHERMAL PROCESSES
MATERIALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
OIL YIELDS
OXIDATION
PYROLYSIS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
YIELDS