Geochemistry of oil shales in Eastern Kentucky
The principal form of carbon present in the oil shale is as organic matter. Mineralbound carbon was found to be insignificant, with the exception of the Duffin zone, a localized dolomitic lithology present near the base of the Huron. Carbon and hydrogen are strongly zoned stratigraphically, with highest levels present in the upper and lower portions of the oil shale section. The variability of the organic chemistry among the study cores is low in comparison. The Fischer Assay yields of the two economic units were similar, averaging 10.3 gal/ton for the Sunbury shale and 11.9 gal/ton for the Cleveland HGZ. The Fischer Assay data underestimates the maximum potential oil yield of these shales, however. The major element chemistry is found to be both stratigraphically and laterally consistent for the oil shales. Trace element concentrations are found to be highest in the Sunbury Shale, followed by the Cleveland and Huron members of the Ohio Shale. Trace element concentrations were found to be strongly stratigraphically zoned, but relatively consistent, among the cores. The major regional trends affecting mining, processing and by-product recovery (north to south and including Lewis and Fleming Counties) include: 1. the thinning and virtual disappearance of the stratigraphic intervals separating the Sunbury Shale and Cleveland HGZ; 2. the thinning of the Sunbury Shale; 3. an increase in carbon and hydrogen in the Sunbury Shale (concommitant with thinning); and 4. a decrease in trace element content for the total defined economic zone. Trace elements exhibited three types of association: those having an affinity for carbon (Cu, Cr, Ni, V), those having an affinity for sulfur (Co, Zn) and those having a silicate and/or carbonate affinity (Ba). Trace elements, particularly those associated with the oil shale kerogen, may be incorporated into the oil product and present subsequent processing problems.
- Research Organization:
- Institute for Mining and Minerals Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- OSTI ID:
- 6420474
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-830303-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 28:1; ISSN ACPCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
040100* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves & Exploration-- (-1989)
040500 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMISTRY
DEVONIAN PERIOD
DRILL CORES
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FISCHER ASSAY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
KENTUCKY
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALES
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
SURVEYS
USA