Title: Thermal degradation of shale oil on quartzite particles - preliminary experiments
Abstract: Oil yields from oil shale retorts are usually less than predicted from Fischer assay, because oil is degraded by consumption, cracking, and coking before it can escape the retort. Work is in progress at Western Research Institute (WRI) on determining rates of oil degradation by cracking and coking exclusive of combustion, under conditions similar to those in the preretorting zone of a retort. The experimental approach involves the introduction of shale oil downward into a bed of crushed quartzite packed in a tubular reactor. The reactor is heated to temperatures in the range of 400/sup 0/F to 800/sup 0/F, while preheated nitrogen flows upward through the tube. The reaction system is described in this report and results are presented of 10 preliminary experiments in which Paraho shale oil was degraded on quartzite particles at 400/sup 0/F, 500/sup 0/F, 600/sup 0/F, and 700/sup 0/F. Residence times for oil vapor were one to two seconds and for heavy (unvaporized) oil were 17 to 180 minutes. Recovery values varied from 85 to nearly 100 wt.%, and there was substantial loss of liquid products in the gas stream. Only trace quantities of light hydrocarbon gases were detected, indicating only a minor amount of cracking. more » It is concluded that there was little oil degradation in these experiments. It was also concluded that the operating procedure should be changed to achieve better product recovery and longer vapor residence times. 6 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs. « less
Publication Year: 1985
Publication Date: 1985-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot