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U.S. Department of Energy
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Oil shale retorting using electromagnetic methods

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6753903· OSTI ID:6753903
The enclosed report presents the results of a three year study on the retorting of oil shales by electromagnetic methods. The main aim of this study was twofold: (1) to obtain reliable data on the various retorting parameters such as dielectric constants, temperature profiles, permeabilities, oil yields, etc., for the case of bench scale retorting of a shale block by electromagnetic methods using a monopole antenna; and (2) to develop and validate a mathematical model using this data. Reliable data have been obtained using a bench scale retort to heat shale blocks using monopole antennas under various conditions. Data have been obtained for dielectric constants and permeabilities. A mathematical model has been developed to interpret the present data. Combined with all the earlier experimental work in the literature, economics of the heating process has been studied following the earlier work by Bridges and his group, and Mellon. Feasibility studies of other configurations such as phased arrays have been conducted. 61 figs., 5 tabs.
Research Organization:
Wyoming Univ., Laramie, WY (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/FE
DOE Contract Number:
AC21-85LC11060
OSTI ID:
6753903
Report Number(s):
DOE/LC/11060-2846; ON: DE90009656
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English