Economics of shale oil production by radio frequency heating

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5199493

Mallon, R G

A conceptual facility for the production of shale oil by radio frequency (RF) heating has been designed to evaluate the economic feasibility of this technique. In the proposed procedure, the shale is processed in situ without being rubbled or explosively fractured. Metal electrodes inserted in a set of vertical drill holes are energized by a group of RF oscillators. The holes bound a block of shale that is to be retorted. The electric field is developed in such a way that heating within the block is almost uniform, and heating outside the block is very low. Retorting of the shale results in a pressure buildup of the hydrocarbon fluids. The oil and gas move horizontally (parallel to bedding planes), then down the electrode holes to a collection manifold. The facility schedule is planned so that off-peak electric power from existing generating stations can be used to operate the oscillators. Thus, the cost of power and the capital requirements for the facility are held to a minimum. Oil production costs and capital requirements indicate that the proposed procedure is economically attractive. The two principal costs are purchase of electric power, and mining operations. 14 refs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore Lab, Calif
• OSTI ID: 5199493
• Report Number(s): CONF-810456-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COST
DECOMPOSITION
DEMAND
ECONOMICS
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
OIL SHALE PROCESSING PLANTS
OIL SHALES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLASMA HEATING
PROCESSING
RETORTING
SHALE OIL