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Superior spells out oil-shale process

Journal Article · · Oil Gas J.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7016372

Superior Oil Co. has unveiled more details of its proposed method to tap oil-shale deposits in NW. Colorado's Piceance basin. A flow chart illustrates the integrated process which envisions production of low-sulfur fuel oil, natural sodium bicarbonate, soda ash, and aluminum compounds. Nitrogen and elemental sulfur also may be produced as by-products if partial refining is included in plant facilities. The process is geared to tap oil-shale, nahcolite, and dawsonite reserves under the company's holding in Rio Blanco County. Nahcolite is a naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate, and dawsonite is an aluminum-bearing mineral. It is estimated a plant capable of processing 80,000 tons/day of shale could produce 50,000 bpd of oil, 15,000 tons per day of nahcolite or nahcolite product, 3,000 tons per day of aluminum hydroxide, and 2,800 tons per day of soda ash. The aluminum hydroxide could be calcined into 2,300 tons per day of alumina. Superior has not yet disclosed plans to build such a plant.

OSTI ID:
7016372
Journal Information:
Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 72:18; ISSN OIGJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English