Results of mathematical modeling of modified in-situ oil shale retorting

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

OSTI ID:5572683

Braun, R L; Diaz, J C; Lewis, A E

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has developed a one-dimensional mathematical model to simulate modified in situ retorting of oil shale. In this paper we discuss the application of the model to commercial-scale retorting conditions. The model was tested by comparing calculated values to those measured in experimental retort runs performed at LLNL. There was generally good agreement between the calculated and observed results for oil yield, temperature profiles, and the yields of most gas species. Retorting rates were consistently overestimated, although the average error was less than 10%. The model is a useful tool for the design and control of retort operations, and for identifying and interpreting observations that differ from model predictions. The model was used to predict the results for modified in situ retorting on a commercial scale, focusing on larger retorts and larger shale particle sizes than could be investigated experimentally. Retort bed properties, particularly shale composition and particle size, play an important role in determining the fraction of oil that can be recovered. For a given shale composition, the inlet-gas properties can be selected to help control retort operations and maximize oil yield. Extreme variations in oil shale grade that may be encountered as a function of depth can be dealt with by appropriate changes in the composition and flow rate of the inlet gas. In addition, we show that using oxygen diluted with steam or carbon dioxide can make significant improvements in the heating value of the effluent gas. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of retorting through a substantial interval of very low-grade shale. 24 references, 20 figures, 3 tables.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5572683
• 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
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINERAL OILS
MODIFIED IN-SITU PROCESSES
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
OIL YIELDS
OILS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
PARTICLE SIZE
PROCESSING
RETORTING
RETORTS
SHALE OIL
SIZE
STEAM
THEORETICAL DATA
YIELDS