Abstract

ABSTRACT Ambient air oxidation leads to lower Fischer assay oil yields and often lower process yields from retorting of eastern oil shales. Slight changes in the kerogen and mineral matter of the oil shale and in its pyrolysis products, both liquid and gaseous, were evident following autoxidation. Experimental observations suggest that the hydrogen deficiency of eastern kerogen, as compared to western kerogen, makes its synfuel potential (by Fischer assay) a more sensitive function of the degree of oxidation. A better yield of oil from oxidized eastern oil shale could be obtained by dissolving away sulfates and other water soluble oxidized materials prior to retorting. The air oxidation of pyrite was demonstrated by SEH, and addition of iron(II) sulfate was shown to reduce assay oil yields. Such observations suggest that combusted shale may not always be a suitable heat transfer agent for atmospheric pressure retorting applications.

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