Disruption of kerogen-mineral interactions in oil shales

Journal Article · · Energy Fuel; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00003a004· OSTI ID:6179992

Siskin, M; Brons, G; Payack, Jr, J F

The interactions of representative organic model compounds with the major minerals present in oil shales were studied by using TGA desorption and FTIR methods. The results identified acid-base interactions between organics and clays as the principal chemical interactions responsible for binding the kerogen to the rock. On the basis of this conclusion, mildly acidic ammonium salt solutions were used to simultaneously create porosity, disrupt these interactions, and produce an enriched kerogen from Green River oil shale. The aqueous ammonium sulfate (pH 5-6) decomposes the carbonate minerals in the shale, which then allows the ammonia molecule and the ammonium ion to reach the kerogen-clay binding sites and disrupt the organic-clay interactions. With the use of aqueous ammonium sulfate at 85C, a 3-fold enrichment of organics was achieved by removal of 85% of the shale minerals with > 95% recovery of the total shale kerogen. 52 refs., 7 tabs.

• Research Organization: Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Annandale, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6179992
• Journal Information: Energy Fuel; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Fuel; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN ENFUE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040500* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AMMONIUM SULFATES
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLAYS
DECOMPOSITION
DESORPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
INFRARED SPECTRA
KEROGEN
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALES
ORGANIC MATTER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESOURCES
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SPECTRA
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS