Evaluation of various shale processing options

Abstract

The organic matter in geological oil shale formation converts into valuable hydrocarbons in the form of gas and vapor products by thermal process known as retorting. Oil production option from oil shale resources has been revived recently since the shortage concerns of oil resources became a global issue critically. Various processes have been proposed in the surface retorting as well as in-situ retorting. This study evaluates the energy efficiency during oil production from oil shale in surface retorting options. In fact, a number of process options are available for producing oil from mined shale, such as fluidized bed, fixed bed, rotary kiln retorting. The economic merit of a process option will depend on conversion of organic matter to oil and on energy integration of the process. Options available for energy integration include appropriate preheating, gasification of carbon residue on spent shale, recycling gas. This study helps streamline a protocol for evaluating different processing possibilities for mined oil shale. Once process data are available, this protocol could be used for plant design, cost evaluation and upscaling. © 2010 Estonian Academy Publishers.