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U.S. Department of Energy
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CIRCA Fall 1973: an economic analysis of an oil shale, nahcolite, dawsonite complex in Colorado, Option III. [Design and cost evaluation of hypothetical industry-scale complex for mining and processing oil shales, nahcolite, and dawsonite]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7322759

This report is one of three which presents the results of studies entailing preliminary design, costing, and financial evaluation of hypothetical industry-scale complexes for mining and processing of oil shale and/or associated sodium minerals occurring in a certain area of the Piceance Creek basin, Colo. The sales products in this option include soda ash derived both from the white nahcolite bed and from the nahcolite and dawsonite contained in the underlying measure, alumina stemming from the dawsonite, a pipeline-quality shale oil, and oil-related byproducts of coke, sulfur, and ammonia. The hypothetical oil shale and sodium-minerals processing complex, consisting of a 2-level shaft mining operation, retorting, partial refining, and a minerals processing plant, requires a total capital investment of $739,371,700 based on 1973 values. The complex is designed to process 8,000 tons per calendar day of a selected white nahcolite ore and 60,000 tons per calendar day of a nahcolite-dawsonite-oil shale material. The sale of products will yield an annual income of $248,349,900. To produce this income an annual expenditure of $184,278,000 is required. Detailed equipment lists and cost summaries are included. (JGB)

Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Morgantown, W.Va. (USA)
OSTI ID:
7322759
Report Number(s):
NP-21178
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English