AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Health and environmental effects of synthetic fuel technologies: research priorities. Final report

This report is an assessment of the health and environmental effects research priorities related to coal gasification and liquefaction and oil shale development. It reflects the subjective judgements of well chosen research scientists in relevant disciplines. These scientists reviewed the results of workshops conducted in 1978 on coal gasification and liquefaction and oil shale (see PB-296 708, PB-297 096, and PB-297 618), background information on related Federal research, and comments by relevant Federal agencies. The scientists prepared a listing of current research needs according to major areas of concern. These were categorized as to generic, region-specific, or process specific research. For the latter category, various scales of development were addressed for two exemplary processes: SRC (solvent refined coal) II and above ground oil shale retorting. Subjective judgements were used to prioritize the research tasks and assess the adequacy of current research.

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Oil yield losses in non-uniform in situ oil shale retorts

Oil yield losses within an in situ oil shale retort can be categorized as either sweep inefficiencies or local yield losses. It is well established that rubble bed non-uniformities can contribute directly to sweep inefficiencies. However, the high local yield losses observed in recent field tests have suggested that these non-uniformities may also decrease local oil yield through increased oil coking, cracking, and combustion. To distinguish oil yield loss mechanisms caused by non-uniform permeability distributions from those caused by other factors (particle size, grade, or operating conditions), a series of pilot retorting experiments was conducted with permeability contrast as the only experimental variable. In these experiments we observed, as a function of increasing permeability contrast, increasing delays in heating (and thus retorting) within the less-permeable zones. This resulted directly in increased oil combustion and cracking losses (11 to 20% versus 5% for a uniform base condition) due to increased overlap of retorting and combustion fronts. We also observed under these conditions corresponding decreases in thermal efficiency and char utilization. Finally, two-dimensional retort modeling calculations have been completed which agree well with the experimental results and help illuminate the important mechanisms causing increased oil loss. These data, together with analyses from recent field experiments, have demonstrated conclusively that local oil yield losses (not just sweep inefficiencies) can be introduced or worsened solely by permeability contrasts. Conversely, it appears that local yield as well as sweep efficiency may be significantly improved by creating more uniform rubble beds.

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Federal oil research: A strategy for maximizing the producibility of known US oil

The US contains a massive resource of oil that has already been found, but which remains in known reservoirs after conventional production has reached its practical limits. This resource, over 340 billion barrels--2/3 of all oil ever discovered in the US--cannot be economically produced with currently available extraction technology and our current level of understanding of fluid flow in reservoirs. Improvements in both geological understanding and extraction systems will result from focused, interdisciplinary research and development. Although estimates vary widely, successful R and D could make producible as much as 80-100 billion barrels of this known oil--enough to sustain US production at current levels for the next 30--40 years. The realization of this potential has been the Federal oil program goal since its inception. This document, after summarizing the current situation, traces the program evolution and describes its present status. A knowledge of how the program has evolved provides a more informed perspective on the current effort. The document concludes with a brief discussion of the current strategy and its expected benefits. 45 refs.

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Measuring formation pressures and the degree of gas drainage in a large coalbed gas-drainage field. Report of Investigations/1985

The Bureau of Mines and United States Steel Corp. are conducting a joint project to monitor formation pressures at a large (23-well) coalbed gas drainage field near Oak Grove, AL. Three monitor holes were drilled in late 1981, and pressure monitoring began in December 1981. The Bureau of Mines direct method was used to obtain gas content data from cores taken in the monitor holes. Comparison of the 1981 gas content data from the monitor holes with initial gas content values obtained from the production wells in 1977 indicates a 50% reduction in adsorbed gas content inside the pattern and a 29% reduction at one point 500 ft outside the pattern.

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Design parameters for oil shale waste disposal systems. Report of investigations/1981

This report summarizes Bureau of Mines contract research on the disposal of retorted oil shale. A data base has been developed describing the physical-chemical properties, geotechnical engineering properties, and natural cementation characteristics of spent shale. Results of field compaction tests and seepage pond tests are presented, along with results of a partially saturate finite element seepage model used to predict infiltration and seepage rates. Preliminary engineering analyses are presented for underground disposal systems, which include material transport methods, and for a surface disposal system, which includes stability analyses.

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Denitrification reactions in shale gas oil

Denitrification reactions in Green River shale gas oil during hydrogenation over a cobalt molybdate on alumina catalyst at 600/sup 0/-825/sup 0/F and 3000 psig in a stirred laboratory reactor were investigated by analyzing the types of nitrogen compounds in the liquid product by a combined nonaqueous potentiometric titration IR technique. The first step in the denitrification reaction was hydrogenation of the nitrogen-containing rings, followed by rupture of the saturated rings to form amines, and finally decomposition of the amines to ammonia. Saturated-ring rupture appeared to be rate-limiting at 600/sup 0/C, but at 825/sup 0/F the rate of hydrogenation appeared to limit the rate of denitrification. Although indole-type compounds appeared to decompose at a faster rate than quinoline-type compounds, the differences in these two rates were not as large as indicated by published data.

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Spent oil shale/H/sub 2/S scrubbing. Reaction kinetics determination and continuous reactor design

An experimental study of the reaction between H/sub 2/S and calcium carbonate in spent oil shale was conducted to study the possibility of using this reaction to remove H/sub 2/S from oil shale retort off gas. The high water content in actual retort off gases causes a significant reverse reaction. Consequently, the rate equation had to be modified to account for the reverse reaction before it could be used to model commercial retorting conditions. The reverse reaction limits H/sub 2/S removal at low temperature. However, good removal is achieved at high temperatures, e.g., 92% removal at 1100/sup 0/K. The reaction rate is sufficiently rapid at high temperatures that the conversion is limited by the temperature profile, not by the reaction kinetics. This reaction is a promising method for reducing the pollution potential of shale retort off gas with minimal processing costs.

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A technical and economic assessment of petroleum, heavy oil, shale oil and coal liquid refining

Decreasing availability of conventional crude oil will result in the utilization of alternative raw materials for the production of transportation fuels. Based on currently available processes and as a result of detailed pilot plant studies, the differences in the technical and economic aspects of refining alternative feedstocks of heavy oil, coal liquids and shale oil have indicated that heavy, hydrogen-deficient materials require more complex and costly upgrading techniques. Compared to the base case of Arabian Light crude oil, the Mexican Maya heavy oil is worth about $4.35/B less, the coal liquid about $2.38/B less and the shale oil about $5.98/B less. All of these alternative fuels can be upgraded into high quality transportation fuels.

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Energy from in situ processing of Antrim oil shale. Quarterly technical progress report, April-June 1979

Four wells were drilled and cored in the 100 series for use in evaluating the fracturing which had been accomplished in Wells No. 101-106 and for possible use in subsequent extraction trials. Extensive logging, liquid permeability, air permeability and well communication tests were carried out for fracture assessment at both the hydraulic/explosive fracture site and the explosive underream site. Although these evaluations are still incomplete, and no decision can yet be made as to which site would be preferred for an extraction trial, both sites have much greater permeability and better interwell communications than was present in the first extraction trials on the existing Dow site. Preparations for the planned extraction trial are continuing; it is expected that all systems will be complete and in readiness for an extraction trial to begin in August.

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Avoidance response of rainbow trout to phenol

An eight-concentration intermittent-flow proportional diluter was modified to provide continuous flow to four separate avoidance chambers and used to test the avoidance response to phenol of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in three separate 5-day tests. When single fish had been acclimated for 24 h, a flow of phenol was initiated on one side of each avoidance chamber and well water was started on the other. After 48 h the phenol and well water sides were switched, and the experiment was continued for another 48 h; the positions of the fish in the chambers were monitored photographically throughout the test. Results of tests with 12 rainbow trout indicated that the threshold avoidance level was between 6.5 and 3.2 mg/L phenol, which was between 58 and 73% of the phenol 96-h LC50 for rainbow trout. Since long-term effects for rainbow trout exposed to phenol have been documented at concentrations as low as 0.2 mg/L, the avoidance tests were not nearly as sensitive as toxicity tests with embryos and larvae.

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Microbial contributions to soluble and volatile arsenic dynamics in retorted oil shale

Arsenic volatilization and solubilization from samples of Paraho and Lurgi retorted shale were evaluated with and without added soybean meal (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), methanearsonic acid (MAA), and sodium arsenate (SA) in 12-week experiments. Using a Paraho process shale from an experimental reclamation site in western Colorado, As was only volatilized when nutrients were present, using 23/sup 0/C incubation. Organic As forms added at 267 x 10/sup -6/ mol As kg/sup -1/ shale tended to remain more in solution, and were volatillized to a greater extent than observed with less soluble SA or innate As. Soluble As dynamics were also influenced by nutrient availability. With added DMAA, soluble As levels decreased over the course of the experiment, and decreases followed by rerelease were observed with MAA and SA. The low initial levels of soluble innate As increased slightly over the course of the experiment. In contrast, without nutrients present, other than with added DMAA, the soluble As levels decreased. Incubation at 45/sup 0/C resulted in a marked reduction of As mobilization, and after heat sterilization, no As mobilization could be observed. Addition of an unsterilized shale inoculum led to a reestablishment of these As mobilization processes in the sterilized samples. In addition, As mobilization was inhibited under anaerobic conditions. With a sample of Lurgi process shale, mobilization in the presence of nutrients was observed, but As volatilization could not be detected, suggesting that variations in oil shale sources and retorting may influence microbial As mobilization.

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Investigation of tar sand and heavy oil deposits of Wyoming for underground coal gasification applications

A literature review was conducted to identify and evaluate tar sand and heavy oil deposits of Wyoming which are potentially suitable for in situ processing with process heat or combustible gas from underground coal gasification (UCG). The investigation was undertaken as part of a project to develop novel concepts for expanding the role of UCG in maximizing energy recovery from coal deposits. Preliminary evaluations indicate six surface deposits and three shallow heavy oil fields are within 5 miles of coal deposits, the maximum distance judged to be feasible for UCG applications. A tar sand or heavy oil deposit in the northeast Washakie Basin is less than 250 feet above a zone of four coal seams suitable for UCG, and another deposit near Riverton appears to be interbedded with coal. Three shallow light oil fields found to be within 5 miles of coal may be amenable to application of UCG technology for enhanced oil recovery. Sufficient data are not available for estimating the size of Wyoming's tar sand and heavy oil resource which is suitable for UCG development. Additional investigations are recommended to more fully characterize promising deposits and to assess the potential resource for UCG applications. 54 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.

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Physical-chemical treatment of tar-sand processing wastewater

This final report for Phase I summarizes work done to determine the ability of several coagulants to contribute significantly in the treatment of selected tar sand wastewaters. The coagulation process must be considered as one possible step in a treatment scheme to reduce pollutants in these wastewaters and lead to a water quality acceptable for reuse or disposal. Two wastewaters were provided by the Laramie Energy Technology Center (LETC). The primary emphasis in this study was focused on a representative steam flooding wastewater designated in the report as TARSAND 1S. The coagulation study in which treatment of this wastewater was the prime goal is described in full detail in the thesis entitled Chemical Coagulation of Steam Flooding Tar Sand Wastewaters. This thesis, written by Mr. Omar Akad, is included as Appendix A in this report. A representative combustion wastewater, designated as TARSAND 2C, was also provided by LETC. This wastewater was characteristically low in suspended solids and after initial screening experiments were conducted, it was concluded that coagulation was relatively ineffective in the treatment of TARSAND 2C. Hence, efforts were concentrated on the parametric evaluation of coagulation of TARSAND 1S. The objectives for the research conducted under Phase I were: (1) to compare the effectiveness of lime, alum, ferric chloride and representative synthetic organic polymers in reducing suspended solids and total organic carbon (TOC) from TARSAND 1S wastewater; (2) to determine the effects of pH, coagulant aids, and mixing conditions on the coagulation process; (3) to determine the relative volume of sludge produced from each selected coagulation process.

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Geokinetics In Situ Shale Oil Recovery Project. Second annual report, March, 1979

The project is being conducted at a field site located 70 miles south of Vernal, Utah. Because of the remote location of the site, and its poor accessibility over unpaved roads, a fully self-contained field camp was constructed to support the project and provide living quarters for the field crew. Eighteen in-situ retorts have been constructed, ranging in size from 330 tons to 46,000 tons. Eleven of these retorts have been burned, and a total of 5400 barrels of shale oil have been recovered. Oil shale thicknesses of 30 feet, and cross-sectional areas of 3800 square feet have been successfully blasted. The results have been encouraging, and the project will continue to scale up its size of the operation in 1979.

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Mechanisms of syncrude/synfuel degradation. Third annual report, October 1, 1983-September 30, 1984. [2,5-dimethylpyrrole]

The study of the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (DMP) has been extended to a model solvent system (n-dodecane). The formation of sediment by DMP is believed to occur by way of a charge-transfer mechanism, unlike radical chain mechanisms which are characteristic of hydrocarbon autoxidation. Sediments which formed in diesel fuel following addition of several other nitrogen compounds have indicated that the nitrogen compounds are incorporated into the sediments. Several 1,2,5-trisubstituted pyrroles were synthesized and found to be only slightly active in sediment promotion in diesel fuel. Hydroperoxide and sediment analyses, which have been completed for the high temperature (100 to 120/sup 0/C) stability tests using DMP as dopant, confirm that although the kinetics of fuel stability in the DMP/diesel fuel system changes at high temperatures, the resulting insoluble products of the oxidations are nearly identical with those formed at lower temperatures. Interactive effects were screened for both DMP and 3-methylindole (3-MI), where interactions with t-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP), organic acids and organic bases were studied. A shale liquid (fuel 83-65), characterized as a ''high nitrogen hydrocracker''stream has been received from the Caribou (Utah) refinery. Preliminary stability studies with this fuel indicate that despite a nitrogen concentration level of ca. 2300 ppM N (w/v), the fuel's accelerated stability is better than had been observed with other shale-derived fuels which were examined in earlier work for Tasks 2 and 3. 31 refs., 50 tabs.

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Stability survey of hydrocarbon fuels. Final report. [JP-4]

A program to evaluate the storage stability characteristics of commercial and military fuels was conducted to establish a current reference base. Samples of No. 2 diesel fuels, JP-4 turbine fuels, unleaded, and leaded gasolines were obtained from ten military bases across the continental United States. The samples were obtained in five-gallon cans from the final dispensing point at the bases, with the exception of the leaded gasolines. These gasolines were, in most cases, purchased at a service station off base. The samples are representative of commercial as well as military fuel currently in use in this country. Each sample was evaluated for physical properties and elemental analysis. The 43.3/sup 0/C storage stability test, which included gum determinations after periods of 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks, was conducted on all samples. The thermal stability of the JP-4 fuels was also measured. Results indicate that the JP-4 fuels are the most stable, followed by the unleaded gasolines, leaded gasolines, and the diesel fuels are the least stable. None of the jet fuels showed any degree of deterioration during the 32 weeks of storage, while at least one of each type of gasolines and four diesel fuels appeared to have some measure of unstability. 5 figures, 9 tables.

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Simulated in situ retorting of oil shale in a controlled-state retort. I. Nitrogen atmosphere, interrupted runs

A series of experiments has been performed on Green River oil shale using the controlled-state retort, an electrically heated retort designed to simulate in situ retorting. Each experiment described was stopped when only part of the shale bed had been completely retorted. Retorting parameters investigated include heating rate, retorting advance rate, gas input flow rate, and maximum temperature. Oils were washed and bitumens were extracted from the partially retorted and unretorted oil shales. The oils and bitumens were examined by simulated distillation gas chromatography, the product gases were analyzed by mass spectroscopy, and the shales were subjected to elemental analysis. Results of the various analyses are presented and conclusions are drawn from the data concerning the way the product oil moves through the bed of unretorted shale. The effects of temperature, heating rate, gas flow rate, and breadth of retorting zone on oil film thickness and bitumen content; the effect of heating rate on organic carbon content in the retorted shale; and the effect breadth of retorting zone has on the boiling point distribution of oils and bitumens as related to distance from the retorting zone are discussed.

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Complete elastic constants and stiffness coefficients for oil shale

Equations estimating Young's Moduli and Poisson's ratios for oil shale loaded perpendicular (E/sub z/, ..nu../sub zx/) and parallel (E/sub x/, ..nu../sub xy/) to the rock's bedding planes are developed and presented. These prediction equations are linear functions of the volume of organic matter in the rock. This organic volume, computed from Fischer assay oil yield, is the primary variable affecting mechanical properties of Green River Formation oil shale. The elastic constants are also complex functions of stress level. The prediction equations were developed statistically from results of a comprehensive testing program conducted on Green River Formation oil shale from the Mahogany zone and adjacent stratigraphic sections in a core taken near the Anvil Points Demonstration Mine in Colorado. In addition it is mathematically demonstrated that the 12 nonzero coefficients in the stiffness matrix for oil shale can be calculated from the same elastic constants. To summarize the relationships presented, all of the elastic constants and stiffness coefficients are calculated for a range of organic volumes and stress levels and presented in tabular form, providing complete three-dimensional characterization of Green River Formation oil shale.

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Ground water effects of underground coal gasification experiments in northeastern Wyoming

The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has conducted 2 underground coal gasification experiments at its Hoe Creek Site in NE Wyoming. Environmental studies in conjunction with these experiments, including an investigation of changes in local ground-water quality were conducted. Such changes are a consequence of the residual reaction products - coal ash, char, some of the coal tars, and roughly 10% of the product gases - which remain underground after gasification. When ground water returns to the gasification zone, leaching and dissolution processes lead to the formation of a plume of contaminated ground water, which begins to move through the coal seam. In addition, fissuring and roof collapse may destroy the integrity of the underground reaction vessel permitting contaminants to escape to the surface or into overlying aquifers. The field program is augmented by laboratory measurements and modeling studies. 10 references.

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Pollution control technical manual: Lurgi oil shale retorting with open pit mining. Final report

The Lurgi oil shale PCTM addresses the Lurgi retorting technology, developed by Lurgi Kohle and Mineralotechnik GmbH, West Germany, in the manner in which this technology may be applied to the oil shales of the western United States. This manual proceeds through a description of the Lurgi oil shale plant proposed by Rio Blanco Oil Shale Company, characterizes the waste streams produced in each medium, and discusses the array of commercially available controls which can be applied to the Lurgi plant waste streams. From these generally characterized controls, several are examined in more detail for each medium in order to illustrate typical control technology operation. Control technology cost and performance estimates are presented, together with descriptions of the discharge streams, secondary waste streams and energy requirements. A summary of data limitations and needs for environmental and control technology considerations is presented.

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