Reactive gases evolved during pyrolysis of Devonian oil shale

Conference · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6883830

Coburn, T T; Crawford, R W; Gregg, H R; Oh, M S

Computer modeling of oil shale pyrolysis is an important part of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Oil Shale Program. Models containing detailed chemistry have been derived from an investigation of Colorado oil shale. We are currently attempting to use models to treat more completely reactions of nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the retort to better understand emissions. Batch retorting work on Devonian oil shale is proving particularly useful for this study of nitrogen/sulfur chemistry. Improved analytical methods have been developed to quantitatively determine reactive volatiles at the parts-per-million level. For example, the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQMS) is used in the chemical ionization (CI) mode to provide real-time analytical data on ammonia evolution as the shale is pyrolyzed. A heated transfer line and inlet ensure rapid and complete introduction of ammonia to the instrument by preventing water condensation. Ammonia and water release data suitable for calculating kinetic parameters have been obtained from a New Albany Shale sample. An MS/MS technique with the TQMS in the electron ionization (EI) mode allows hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and certain trace organic sulfur compounds to be monitored during oil shale pyrolysis. Sensitivity and selectivity for these compounds have been increased by applying artificial intelligence techniques to tuning of the spectrometer. Gas evolution profiles (100 to 900/sup 0/C) are reported for hydrogen sulfide, water, ammonia, and trace sulfur species formed during pyrolysis of Devonian oil shale. Implications for retorting chemistry are discussed. 18 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6883830
• Report Number(s): UCRL-95762; CONF-861145-1; ON: DE87004362
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040402* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
040500 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
AMMONIA
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXYSULFIDE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DEVONIAN PERIOD
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
INFORMATION
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATERIALS
MONITORING
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
POLYCYCLIC SULFUR HETEROCYCLES
PYROLYSIS
RETORTING
SENSITIVITY
SPECIFICITY
SPECTROSCOPY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THIONAPHTHENES
WATER
YIELDS