Trace element partitioning during the retorting of Julia Creek oil shale

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00159a011· OSTI ID:6389534

Patterson, J H; Dale, L S; Chapman, J f

A bulk sample of oil shale from the Julia Creek deposit in Queensland was retorted under Fischer assay conditions at temperatures ranging from 250 to 550 /sup 0/C. The distributions of the trace elements detected in the shale oil and retort water were determined at each temperature. Oil distillation commenced at 300 /sup 0/C and was essentially complete at 500 /sup 0/C. A number of trace elements were progressively mobilized with increasing retort temperature up to 450 /sup 0/C. The following trace elements partitioned mainly to the oil: vanadium, arsenic, selenium, iron, nickel, titanium, copper, cobalt, and aluminum. Elements that also partitioned to the retort waters included arsenic, selenium, chlorine, and bromine. Element mobilization is considered to be caused by the volatilization of organometallic compounds, sulfide minerals, and sodium halides present in the oil shale. The results have important implications for shale oil refining and for the disposal of retort waters. 22 references, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: CSIRO, Menai, Australia
• OSTI ID: 6389534
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 21:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
ALUMINIUM
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
TRACE AMOUNTS
ARSENIC
BROMINE
CHLORINE
COBALT
COPPER
IRON
NICKEL
OIL SHALES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
RETORTING
SELENIUM
TITANIUM
VANADIUM
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALASIA
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HALOGENS
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NONMETALS
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
040500* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Properties & Composition