Retorting oil shale with zones of contrasting permeability Tests S71 to S75

Technical Report · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5576477

Merriam, N W; Long, A; Turner, T F; Wing, E E

This report describes the first five tests in a series of tests simulating zones of contrasting permeability in in-situ retorts. The objective of this series of tests is to determine the yield loss from retorting of oil shale beds with zones of contrasting flow resistance. The contrasting flow resistance is simulated by loading a cylindrical core with oil shale particles of one size range, while filling the annular space around the core with a different size range of oil shale particles. Tracer and temperature data are used to measure the flow characteristics and thermal front shapes within the bed. Examples of data summaries and preliminary evaluations are described to show some of the techniques used to develop possible relationships between oil yield and permeability contrast. A correlation between permeability ratio and oil yield shows promise as a blast design and yield prediction tool. Indications that oil yield loss from cracking and combustion may be related to permeability contrast needs confirmation. Shapes of retorting fronts were used for qualitative assessment of oil yield. 13 refs., 7 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-83FE60177
• OSTI ID: 5576477
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE/60177-1886; ON: DE85012989
• 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
CORRELATIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FISCHER ASSAY
FLUID FLOW
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
OIL SHALES
OIL YIELDS
PERMEABILITY
PROCESSING
RETORTING
SHAPE
SIMULATION
YIELDS