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Shale oil developments: kinetics of oil shale pyrolysis

Journal Article · · Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6554967
Steady-state decomposition data show the rate determining reactions to be logistic or autocatalytic functions. A mechanism is developed explaining how insoluble organic matter in oil shale decomposes to form fluid hydrocarbons. Thermogravimetric analysis has been applied to a study of the pyrolysis of Colorado oil shale. Using very slow heating rates, pseudo steady-state devolatilization data have been obtained. These data show a critical temperature for complete pyrolysis of oil shale to be about 880/sup 0/F. Analysis of the data in detail also shows a heat of pyrolysis of about ll kcal/g mole is required to convert the bitumen in oil shale to volatile hydrocarbons. In addition, a heat of about 9.4 kcal/g per mole is required to volatilize the hydrocarbons. This leads to a value of 20.4 kcal/g mole required to separate shale oil by pyrolysis from the inorganic material. At temperatures below 900/sup 0/F, the decomposition of the insoluble organic matter (kerogen) into the soluble bitumen is a fairly rapid step compared to the decomposition of bitumen to the hydrocarbon-like materials.
Research Organization:
Marathon Oil Co
OSTI ID:
6554967
Journal Information:
Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States) Vol. 62:8; ISSN CEPRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English