Trace element partitioning during the retorting of Condor and Rundle oil shales

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00170a008· OSTI ID:5331032

Patterson, J H; Dale, L S; Chapman, J F ^[1]

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1. CSIRO, Menai (Australia)

Composite oil shale samples from the Condor and Rundle deposits in Queensland were retorted under Fischer assay conditions at temperatures ranging from 300 to 545{degree}C. Trace elements mobilized to the shale oil and retort water were determined at each temperature. The results were comparable for both oil shales. Several elements including arsenic, selenium, chlorine, bromine, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc were progressively mobilized as the retort temperature was increased. Most elements partition mainly to the oil and to a lesser extent to the retort water in a similar manner to other oil shales. For Rundle oil shales, trace element abundances in oils, and the proportions of elements mobilized, generally increased with oil shale grade. This was attributed to the reduced effect of adsorption and/or coking of heavier oil fractions during retorting of higher grade samples. Nickel porphyrins, unidentified organometallic compounds, pyrite, and halite are considered to be the sources of mobile trace elements. The results are relatively favorable for oil shale processing and show that arsenic is the most significant element in relation to both shale oil refining and disposal of retort waters.

• OSTI ID: 5331032
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Vol. 22:5; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
OIL SHALES
RETORTING
ARSENIC
AUSTRALIA
BROMINE
CHLORINE
COBALT
COPPER
NICKEL
SELENIUM
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TRACE AMOUNTS
ZINC
AUSTRALASIA
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HALOGENS
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NONMETALS
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
041000* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Environmental Aspects
400201 - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties