Oil Shale Waste Research Articles

Selective electron-capture sensitization of water, phenols, amines and aromatic and heterocyclic compounds

A survey of signal enhancements for various classes of compounds was made using selective electron-capture sensitization (SECS) with nitrous oxide-doping. This technique was used to aid in the identification of five phenolic compounds in a complex oil shale waste water fraction. The three-fold difference in the enhancements found for ortho- and para-toluidine and the twenty-fold difference for benzo[ a]pyrene and benzo[ e]pyrene indicate that SECS can be valuable for identifying these isomers. Enhancement factors are presented for other aromatic and heterocyclic compounds. The signal from water was enhanced 260-fold, allowing trace determinations at part-per-million concentrations.

A Review of the Environmental Impact of Ground Disposal of Oil Shale Wastes

AbstractThe development of oil shale reserves in the western U.S. could contribute greatly to energy independence and several oil extraction processes are feasible. However, the industry remains in initial stages of development, due, in part, to environmental issues. This review considers waste disposal methods for the major types of extraction processes, the potential environmental impacts of waste disposal to the ground, mitigation of environmental effects, and further research needs.Principal waste products of oil shale extraction constitute up to 125% of the original volume, and disposal may, therefore, affect vast land areas. Principal wastes scheduled for ground disposal include the waters produced during retorting and subsequently separated from the shale oil and the spent shales remaining after extraction. Retort waters contain relatively high concentrations of complex, soluble organic components and the spent shales contain potentially leachable salts and organic pyrolytic products. In addition, spent shales have erosion potential when disposed on the surface and considerable effort is being directed to shale management, emphasizing erosion control and shale as a growth medium, and revegetation methods for establishing salt‐ and drought‐tolerant plant species.