Radio frequency retorting tests in the low void retort

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:7148487

Moore, D F; Saxena, V K; Merriam, N W; Cha, C Y

Results from three tests using radio frequency (rf) electromagnetic energy to heat oil shale are presented in this report. A block of Green River oil shale 18 x 20 x 20 inches which contained 23.5 gallons of oil per ton of oil shale was heated. The first test was conducted at 1500 watts forward power at a frequency of 450 MHz. The block was heated almost uniformly, but, as predicted by the University of Wyoming rf retorting mathematical model, 1500 watts was not sufficient power to retort the block. Temperatures of 350 to 400/sup 0/F (175 to 205/sup 0/C) were attained throughout the shale block. Comparisons of calculated with measured temperatures showed fairly good agreement for the first 12 hours of the test with actual temperatures lower than calculated for the remainder of the test. The shale block was examined after the test and found to be extensively fractured. The second test was conducted at 2200 watts with a frequency of 450 MHz. The block appeared to be heating at a rate which would have retorted the shale when the rf generator broke down at 36 hours into the test. The third test was conducted at 1500 watts with a frequency of 2450 MHz. The higher frequency concentrated power into a small portion of the block and retorting was observed immediately after power was turned on. The shale block was heated to 1300/sup 0/F (705/sup 0/C) in a small area near the monopole. An impedance matching problem, attributed to dielectric breakdown, was observed at 17 hours into the test which interrupted heating for about two hours. At 29 hours into the test the monopole melted off and the test was terminated. The series of tests met the initial test objectives, which were to gain experience with the rf equipment while heating oil shale and acquire data for use in testing the University of Wyoming rf retorting model. 8 refs., 17 figs.

• Research Organization: Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-83FE60177
• OSTI ID: 7148487
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE/60177-2251; ON: DE87004460
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040402* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
RADIATIONS
RETORTING
RETORTS
RF SYSTEMS
TIME DEPENDENCE