Trace sulfur-containing species in the offgas from two oil shale retorting processes

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00126a005· OSTI ID:6320113

Sklarew, D S; Hayes, D J; Petersen, M R; Olsen, K B; Pearson, C D

Six non-H/sub 2/S sulfur species were identified and quantitated from two different retorting processes, a modified in situ process and an aboveground process. Carbonyl sulfide (COS), methyl mercaptan (CH/sub 3/SH), carbon disulfide (CS/sub 2/), thiophene, methylthiophene, and sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) were determined by gas chromatography combined with a flame photometric detector. One of the in situ retorts produced the highest concentrations of sulfur species while the aboveground retort produced the least of the three retorts studied. However, other modified in situ retorts have been reported to produce relatively low concentrations of sulfur species. Variability in the quantitative data was attributed to variability both in sulfur content of the raw oil shales and in retort conditions. Possible reaction mechanisms were considered. The non-H/sub 2/S sulfur species comprise 0.4-6% of the low molecular weight sulfur species measured in the retort off-gases. Abatement strategies must consider the presence of these trace species if the air quality standards proposed by Colorado are to be maintained.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6320113
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 18:8; ISSN ESTHA
• 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
040402 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
AIR QUALITY
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BY-PRODUCTS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COLORADO
DECOMPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLAME PHOTOMETRY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GASEOUS WASTES
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OFF-GAS SYSTEMS
OIL SHALES
PHOTOMETRY
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
PROCESSING
REGULATIONS
RETORTING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR CONTENT
TRACE AMOUNTS
USA
VARIATIONS
WASTES