Industrial hygiene study of a true in situ oil shale retorting facility

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298668691390043· OSTI ID:6800769

Hargis, K M; Tiller, M L; Ettinger, H J; Brandt, M T; Sherman, R J; Wheat, L D

An industrial hygiene study was conducted at a true in situ oil shale retorting facility located near Vernal, Utah. The study was conducted during operating of the first two in situ oil shale retorts of commercial size at the facility. Air samples were collected for analysis of dust and a number of selected gases and vapors, and limited monitoring was conducted for noise. Limited dust monitoring also was conducted during the drilling of blastholes for a third retorts. Very low concentrations of dusts, and gases and vapors were observed in most areas above the operating oil shale retorts. Higher concentrations of some gases and vapors were observed in small cracks or leaks in the ground surface above the retorts, near a leaking fan that carried retort offgases, and in a confined areas adjacent to tank used for separation and storage of retort oil and water. Observed breathing-zone air concentrations would not exceed established occupational health standards, even if employees were to be exposed for 8 hr. Low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were measured, but the significance of long-term exposure to these compounds is unknown. The limited air sampling conducted during the drilling of blastholes indicated high dust concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the drilling operation; however, personal sampling of employees indicated their exposures were not excessive. Noise levels generally exceeded 8-hr exposure limits in the immediate vicinity of blowers, but workers were not observed to spend much time in these areas.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6800769
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 47:8; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040700 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Health & Safety
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AROMATICS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DUSTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
NOISE
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OIL SHALE PROCESSING PLANTS
OIL SHALES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
USA
UTAH
VAPORS