(Oil shale mining and material handling technology assessment): Period of performance, November 1986--March 1988

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6964139

Knutson, C F; Smith, R P

Mining and materials handling operations were perceived to account for an appreciable part of the estimated cost of the operating cost, according to a recent DOE publication. Thus, advances in the MandMH technology have the potential to effect a marked reduction in the cost of reproducing shale oil. This project and the resulting assessment document is one of the steps DOE has taken to reassess the role of MandMH research in the oil shale program. Major conclusions of the review of extraction technology are: (1) Very large volumes of oil shale must be mined in order to make significant contributions to US oil supply. The direction of future research activities should influenced by the need to develop high volume mining systems. At present, open pit, stopping with backfill, and block caving offer the most promise. (2) Mechanical mining machine using disc or roller cutters (such as tunnel boring machines, shaft drills, and raise bores) are capable of high drivage rates in oil shales and should be carefully evaluated for underground mine development. High speed drill and blast techniques offer comparable drivage rates. (3) Mechanical mining machines using dragbits are taxed by the strength of oil shale. Major breakthroughs in bit material hardness and heat resistance are needed before dragbit machines can be used. Research in various components of mining systems (roof support/slope stability, ventilation, transport, blasting efficiency, backfill, and reclamation) offer the most hope for short term benefits.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6964139
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-88289; CONF-880725-4; ON: DE88015181
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040300* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
OIL SHALE MINING
OIL SHALES
RECOMMENDATIONS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT