Two-dimensional numerical model of underground oil-shale retorting

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6552950

Travis, B J; Hommert, P J; Tyner, C E

A two-dimensional numerical model of underground oil shale retorting, which fully couples retorting chemistry with fluid and heat flow, has been developed. The model solves the time-dependent, two-dimensional mass, momentum, and energy balance equations for a nine-component fluid (O/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, H/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, CO, CH/sub 4/, CH/sub x/, H/sub 2/O, and oil). Water and oil can flow in the liquid and/or vapor phases. Retort chemistry includes kerogen pyrolysis, carbonate decomposition, char reactions, and combustion. Also, detailed modeling of heat flow and chemistry inside shale particles allows large rubble sizes as well as small sizes to be considered. The model is compared to one-dimensional experimental data obtained from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The model can be used to examine the effect of two-dimensional variations in shale grade, rubble size, permeability, porosity, geometry, inflow gas composition, etc. on retorting efficiency and process optimization. A sample calculation is presented.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6552950
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-83-69; CONF-830301-6; ON: DE83006064
• 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
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY BALANCE
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MASS BALANCE
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OIL SHALES
OIL YIELDS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
YIELDS