Mechanisms helping to heat oil-shale blocks

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7325049

Smith, J W; Johnson, D R

Oil-shale rubble piles like those created in the vertical modified in-situ combustion process always contain oil shale blocks of assorted sizes. Tests on the behavior of large blocks conducted in the 150-ton batch retort show that retorting temperatures are attained throughout the block. Thermal diffusion probably cannot heat the interior of such blocks in the time this retorting takes place. Three separate mechanisms assisting this heating are identified. The first is a thermal exfoliation evaluated by thermomechanical analysis; the second is gas evolution assisting the exfoliation, and the third is combustion of light decomposition products from the organic matter in the oil shale. Differential thermal analysis with precise control of the atmosphere surrounding the sample demonstrates that this combustion occurs even at very low oxygen concentrations. These mechanisms help thermal diffusion heat shale blocks to temperatures necessary to decompose the organic matter in the block and to volatilize the decomposition products. The exfoliation helps the decomposition products leave the block. The exfoliation also helps oxygen diffuse into the now-porous spent shale to burn the residual carbon.

• Research Organization: Laramie Energy Research Center, WY
• OSTI ID: 7325049
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Journal Volume: 21:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
040500* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
COMMINUTION
CONFIGURATION
DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ANALYSIS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPANSION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
GASES
HEATING
HEATING RATE
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MODIFIED IN-SITU PROCESSES
OIL SHALES
PROCESSING
RETORTING
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL DIFFUSION
THERMAL EXPANSION