Influence of site-specific geology on oil shale fragmentation experiments at the Colony Mine, Garfield County, Colorado

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5263735

Ray, J M; Harper, M D; Craig, J L; Edwards, C L

The Los Alamos National Laboratory executed 19 intermediate scale cratering experiments in oil shale at the Colony Mine in Garfield County, Colorado. These experiments have led to a better understanding of fracture characteristics and fragmentation of in situ oil shale by use of a conventional high explosive. Geologic site characterization included detailed mapping, coring, and sample analyses. Site-specific geology was observed to be a major influence on the resulting crater geometry. The joint patterns at the experimental site frequently defined the final crater symmetry. Secondary influences included vugs, lithology changes, and grade fluctuations in the local stratigraphy. Most experiments, in both the rib and floor, were conducted to obtain data to investigate the fragmentation results within the craters. The rubble was screened for fragment-size distributions. Geologic features in proximity to the explosive charge had minimal effect on the rubble due to the overpowering effect of the detonation. However, these same features became more influential on the fracture and rubble characteristics with greater distances from the shothole. Postshot cores revealed a direct relationship between the grade of the oil shale and its susceptibility to fracturing. The Colony Mine experiments have demonstrated the significant role of geology in high explosive/oil shale interaction. It is probable that this role will have to be considered for larger applications to blast patterns and potential problems in retort stability in the future of oil shale development.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Professional Geophysics, Inc., Denver, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5263735
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-82-1852; CONF-820826-1; ON: DE82017359
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040300* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BOREHOLES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CAVITIES
COLORADO
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
FRACTURING
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALE MINING
OIL SHALES
RESOURCES
SITE SURVEYS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA