Sandia oil shale rock fragmentation program

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5636072

A DOE sponsored Rock Fragmentation Research Program (RFRP) was initiated in 1982 to develop a predictive design capability for modified in situ (MIS) retort bed preparation. The program goal is to develop the ability to prescribe blast designs that provide the bed characteristics needed for efficient in situ retorting through a synthesis of numerical modeling, laboratory material property tests, and well-instrumented field experiments. Emphasis is being placed on the development of numerical models that, based on site characteristics (i.e., shale properties, geological structure, etc.), would provide predictions of rubble bed characteristics for a given blast design. These rubble beds could then be evaluated with retort process models for predictions of oil yield. This paper presents the general plan for the continuation of the rock fragmentation experimental program. A brief description of the program objectives and experimental procedure is given. Results from the initial tests that significantly impact the program are discussed. The remaining tests currently envisioned to satisfy the program objectives are then presented, together with an abbreviated design and instrumentation plan for the next series of experiments. 11 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5636072
• Report Number(s): SAND-85-1307C; CONF-850761-3; ON: DE85013753
• 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
CAVITIES
COMMINUTION
CRATERS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MODIFIED IN-SITU PROCESSES
OIL SHALES
ROCK MECHANICS
SITE PREPARATION
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS