Topsoiling of retorted oil shale

Conference · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5332745

Redente, E F; Ruzzo, W J

Successful stabilization and revegetation of retorted oil shale material from surface retorting operations is of critical importance to future development of oil shale in Colorado. A topsoil depth study is presently underway in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado to determine the optimum topsoil depth for revegetating retorted oil shale material. Approximately 13,600 metric tons of retorted shale were transported during the summer of 1977 to the interior of the Piceance Basin from the Paraho retort at the Anvil Points Facility near Rifle, Colorado. Prior to transporting the shale, six panels were excavated to various depths to simulate proposed disposal schemes. The data indicate that deeper soil coverings of 61 and 91.5 cm may be necessary over retorted shale to establish an effective, long-term plant cover. This response to deeper soil depths may be caused by an increase in the rooting depth and greater capacity to store recharge water.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins
• OSTI ID: 5332745
• Report Number(s): CONF-791262-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040900* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Waste management
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLORADO
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROWTH
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALES
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
PLANT GROWTH
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RETORTING
REVEGETATION
SOILS
SPENT SHALES
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT