Inorganic solute profiles of waters related to Rio Blanco oil shale project retort 1
Water samples were taken from the Rio Blanco oil shale project retort 1 site approximately three- and one-half years after the shutdown of the oil recovery phase. Intermittent flooding and pumpdown of the retort occurred in the interval between shutdown and sampling for this study. Waters from within the retort and from downgradient and offsite locations were compared using a battery of analyses for inorganic and general water quality parameters. Inorganic solute species were selected as potential key indicator species if the particular species concentration inside the retort was greater than that outside the retort. Six inorganic parameters were found to qualify as potential key indicators for retort water migration from the site: potassium, lithium, ammonia, fluoride, thiosulfate, and boron. Except for ammonia, these indicators differ from those selected by other researchers at other modified in situ retorting sites. Ion chromatographic techniques were shown to be applicable for five of the six potential key indicators - all except boron which was detected spectroscopically. Low part-per-billion ion chromatographic analyses were demonstrated for lithium and ammonia. Fractional part-per-million ion chromatographic analyses were demonstrated for potassium and fluoride. Thiosulfate detection limits were in the low part-per-million range and only allowed detection of this indicator inside the retort. Five of the indicators (all except thiosulfate) were detected at slightly elevated levels in the Mahogany Zone ''B'' groove completion of the downgradient well. However, insufficient historical baseline data are available at the low detection levels required to allow positive identification of communication between this well and the retort. The potential for enhancement of sensitivity of the ion chromatographic methods beyond that already achieved for the selected indicators is discusses. 11 refs., 1 fig., 9 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC21-83FE60177
- OSTI ID:
- 6135877
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/FE/60177-2396; ON: DE87014012
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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INVESTIGATION OF THE TOTAL ORGANIC HALOGEN ANALYTICAL METHOD AT THE WASTE SAMPLING AND CHARACTERIZATION FACILITY
Organic solute profile of water from Rio Blanco Retort 1
Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
AMMONIA
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
BORON
SPECTROSCOPY
FLUORIDES
IN-SITU RETORTING
WASTE WATER
LITHIUM
OIL SHALES
POTASSIUM
THIOSULFATES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
WATER QUALITY
ABANDONED SITES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ALKALI METALS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INFORMATION
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
METALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
SEMIMETALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTES
WATER
040900* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Waste management
040500 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Properties & Composition
040401 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures