Abstract
Analysis by GC-MS of the process water derived from Fischer Assay retoring of oil shale from Rundle, Australia has provided positive identification of the major organic constituents present. This is the first detailed analysis of retort water from Australian oil shales and showed that the compounds ranged from being highly biodegradable to highly inhibitory and resistant to biological oxidation. The major classes of compounds found in a composited sample included normal carboxylic acids, alkyl pyridines, quinolines and cyclic saturated and unsaturated ketones. Separation of the retort water into its acid, base and neutral fractions was brought about by solvent extraction using methylene chloride. A series of treatability studies on the retort water confirmed the hypothesis that only a portion of the organic carbon was amenable to biological treatment. In addition, high ammonia levels further inhibited biological action. Adsorption of the retort water with activated carbon proved most successful in removing the non-biodegradable fraction of the organic species. Chemical oxidation by ozone does not appear attractive because it lacks the specificity of adsorption.
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