AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Development of a downhole steam generator system

This report describes the development of a downhole steam generator system for use in enhanced oil recovery. The system is composed of four major components: A state-of-the-art review indicated that advances in technology would be necessary in two areas (high pressure combustion and high temperature packer seals) in order to fabricate a field-worthy system. As a result, two tasks were undertaken which resulted in the development of a novel ceramic-lined combustor and a unique all-metal packer. These elements were incorporated into an overall system design. Key system components were built and tested in the laboratory. The program culminated in a successful simulated downhole test of the entire system, less tube string, at Sandia National Laboratories. 5 references, 41 figures, 9 tables.

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Determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and development of a model for designing and evaluating in situ Devonian oil shale retorting

The overall objective was to gather data on Michigan oil shale chemistry and to develop computerized models of processes in combustion-driven in situ retorting in Michigan oil shale. An added goal was to use such models to support the planning and interpreting of field tests. These objectives were achieved partly by experiments on a new thermal analysis system capable of TGA, DTGA and DSC and on a multikilogram retort designed and built at WSU/CEEC and partly by the development of a number of computerized models and the use of existing public codes all of which were implemented at the WSU Computer Center. Major new results include: rate expressions and parameters for the decomposition of oil shale in nitrogen and in air and for the combustion of char in air; a determination that inorganics in the shale such as pyrites and various clays have a significant effect on the pyrolysis rate; the development of several computerized models for single pieces of shale which include Darcy flow; predictions by these models that the pressure profile is quasisteady, that shrinking core behavior is realistic at early times, that char burning is difficult and that coupling of char combustion to pyrolysis can occur; the prediction that sustained combustion in a single vertical crack can be achieved; the prediction of conditions necessary for ignition; and the comparison of various retorting strategies with the finding that a cyclic reverse flow gave the best results.

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An investigation of two homologous series of carboxylic acids in Black Trona Water from the Green River Basin

Two series of carboxylic acids were identified in the dialysate from a sample of Black Trona Water from the Green River Basin of Wyoming. One of the series consists of straight-chain dicarboxylic acids ranging in carbon number from four to fourteen. This series had been observed by previous workers. The other series, much less abundant than the dicarboxylic acids, appears to be a series of homologous tricarboxylic acids that are derivatives of succinic acid. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of the mass spectra of their methyl esters and trideuteromethyl esters. Definitive biological precursors of this unusual class of compounds could not be assigned.

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Evaluation of occupational health and environmental hazards associated with storage and processing of fossil fuels. Final report

Experimental groups of rats were maintained at the LETC North Site retort building for periods of 5 to 8 days during four separate burns of the ten-ton retort. The oil shale used in all four retort tests was from the DOE Anvil Points Mine near Rifle, Colorado and contained 23  - 2 gallons of oil per ton. Two control groups of animals were housed in the animal care facilities. One group was subjected to similar physical conditions (temperature, sound, lighting) as those experienced by experimental animals in the retort building while the other control group was maintained under standard animal care facility conditions. Blood and tissue samples were taken from most animals the same day the exposures were terminated although some animals were sampled at periods of 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, to see if the effects were reversible. A detailed toxicological screening procedure which included numerous biochemical, physiological and histopathological measurements was used to evaluate the effects of the exposures. Experimental groups of rats maintained in the retort building showed changes in liver function, serum enzymes and catecholamines, some histological alterations, and, for rats exposed during pregnancy, possible adverse fetal effects. The magnitude of these changes varied with the different retort tests. However, control rats maintained under simulated physical environments also showed a few biochemical and developmental effects that were similar to those of experimental animals indicating the contribution of physical factors to some of the changes. Together, the results indicate that the experimental design and toxicological screening procedures used in these studies provide a relatively inexpensive and simple approach for prediction of potential health risks to animals, including man.

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Corrosion of engineering alloys in simulated eastern oil shale retorting environments

Eastern United States oil shales usually contain sulfur levels considerably higher than those encountered in their Western counterparts. Because the emphasis in the development of Eastern oil shale retorting technologies is rather recent, very little is known about the requirements for materials of construction for various high temperature components. In this investigation, engineering alloys, including carbon steel, 410 ss, and 304 ss, have been exposed in the laboratory to environments approximating those encountered in indirectly heated Eastern oil shale retorts. These included temperatures in the neighborhood of 455/sup 0/C (850/sup 0/F) and gases with typically 1 pct H/sub 2/S, and 10 pct H/sub 2/O. Special runs were also made where samples were packed in spent shale to determine how such contact would affect performance. The corrosion rates and the corrosion products observed in the laboratory experiments resembled the trends and features encountered in pilot plant retort coupons exposed to comparable environment and temperature conditions. These experiments were extended to exposure times exceeding those of the longest retort alloy tests. The results are used to evaluate mechanisms of alloy deterioration and to aid in providing criteria for the selection of materials of construction.

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Underground gasification of a subbituminous coal

The Bureau of Mines'Laramie Energy Research Center recently completed an underground coal gasification experiment at Hanna, Wyo., in a 30-ft-thick seam of subbituminous coal at a depth of 400 ft. The Hannah project, which produced a 125 Btu scf gas using the percolation method, experienced no leakage or difficulties in linking boreholes. Seam water, rather than posing a problem, appeared to be an asset. Calculation of the material balance based on the carbonization of coal indicated an energy recovery efficiency of 58%, a coal utilization efficiency of 63%, and an overall energy recovery efficiency of 37%--higher than any achieved in previous experiments for the length of time considered. A second experiment is currently under way to develop process control and evaluation techniques and evaluate the feasibility of using underground gasification to recover energy from coal seams considered unsuited for current mining techniques. This project uses an oxygen-blown system, an improved well linkage system, and in-situ instrumentation consisting of both active and passive acoustic techniques, surface and subsurface resistivity, and temperature and pressure measurements.

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Coal conversion systems technical data book

Sections of the Coal Conversion Systems Technical Data Book cover: large coal deposits of the US coal rank, amount, proximate and ultimate analysis, sulfur, calorific value, swelling index, etc.), gas-solids transport, fluidization, gas-particulates separation (electrostatic precipitators, baghouses, cyclone separators, wet scrubbers, granular bed filters), and subject indexes for the whole data book. (LTN)

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Risk of dust-induced lung disease in oil shale workers

Risks of non-neoplastic lung diseases for future US oil shale worker dust exposures were estimated. In the absence of an active industry, health effects rates from surrogate industries were utilized. The risk of chronic bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction, and pneumoconiosis was quantified from British coal worker data. The risk of occupational silicosis in oil shale miners was estimated using Peruvian metal mines and Vermont granite worker data. Ten percent SiO/sub 2/ composition of the dust in the respirable range from oil shale mining and crushing was used. Risk estimates were calculated at the nuisance dust threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 mg/m/sup 3/ and at the current SiO/sub 2/ TLV of 100 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/. Silicosis was the dominant pulmonary health effect, but at the 5 mg/m/sup 3/ dust level, pneumoconiosis, chronic bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction are also important risks. Designing oil shale facilities to meet the nuisance dust TLV may not provide adequate protection to the future generations of workers involved in oil shale extraction and processing. 32 references, 1 figure, 4 tables.

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Possible mechanism of alkene/alkane production in oil shale retorting

The objective was to clarify the reaction mechanisms that determine the observed alkene/alkane ratios under various conditions. When oil shale is pyrolyzed either isothermally or nonisothermally, the hydrocarbon and hydrogen concentrations are all time dependent. To determine if the alkene-alkane-hydrogen system is at equilibrium, oil shale was heated at a constant rate and the C/sub 1/ to C/sub 3/ hydrocarbons and hydrogen were measured over time. The effect of an inert sweep gas on the time-dependent ethene/ethane and propene/propane ratios and the integral 1-alkene/n-alkane ratios in the oil were also measured. When oil shale was heated at a constant rate, the alkene/alkane ratios in the evolved hydrocarbon gases changed with time. In addition, the alkene/alkane ratios in both the gas and the oil were affected by an inert sweep gas. The ethene/ethane ratio was not determined by equilibrium with hydrogen, and this phenomenon was interpreted in terms of a free-radical cracking mechanism. The implication is that alkene/alkane ratios, especially the ethene/ethane ratio, can be used as an indicator of retort performance only if the correct relationships are used for each set of retort conditions.

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Environmental research for underground coal gasification

Studies of the environmental impact of underground coal gasification (UCG), conducted at the four UCG test sites at Hanna, Wyo., by the Department of Energy, Laramie Energy Technology Center, included the effects of the process gas cleanup system, the effects of migrating water on the process and the surrounding ground water, and the effects of subsidence. In phase 2 of Hanna II experiments (Dec. 1975-May 1976), particulate matter and 14 trace elements were monitored during seven periods in order to obtain data for the necessary gas scrubbing and cleaning facilities. In the Hanna III experiments (June-July 1977) base-line aquifer and ground-water characteristics were monitored and changes in water quality and hydrologic conditions during and after gasification were determined by means of temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and conductivity tests at 12 monitoring wells. For the modified Hanna IV experiments (to be started in Aug. 1978), studies will include analyses of particulates and trace components in the product stream and of by-product hydrocarbons, subsidence monitoring, analyses of water condensed from the gas stream, and polynuclear aromatics concentrations before and after flaring.

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Operating laboratory oil shale retorts in an in-situ mode

To study and develop the modified in-situ oil-shale retorting process, LLL operates two laboratory oil-shale retorts. Experiments explore retorting parameters. Some results are compared with those of a predictive computer model. Some features of in-situ processing are simulated in the laboratory by controlling heat losses and void fraction in the shale bed. A single computer system provides data acquisition and process control for both retorts. Control methods and algorithms are discussed. Experimental results with and without control of heat losses are compared. Reasonable agreement exists in retorting rates, temperature profiles, and yields between the experimental measurements and the computer model. These are the first retorting data taken under heat-loss and void-fraction conditions similar to those expected in-situ. Retorting experiments on oil shale of uniform particle size have given yields of 99% of Fischer assay for inert gas, and of more than 90% for combustion retorting. Yield is decreased in packed beds with a wide range of particle sizes, similar to beds expected in-situ.

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Solid support for the gas--liquid chromatography of strongly basic nitrogen compounds

A solid support has been developed for the gas-liquid chromatography of nitrogen compounds of pK/sub alpha/ range 6 to 11. The support was obtained by depositing 10 gm of potassium hydroxide on 100 gm of the solid support recently developed by the authors for the analysis of pyridines. The modified support gave symmetric peaks for 13 nitrogen compounds in the pK/sub alpha/ range studied when nonpolar liquid substrates were used. This support allows the use of nonpolar liquid substrates for the analysis of basic compounds.

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Determination of pyridines by infrared spectroscopy

A procedure for analyzing mixtures of pyridines by infrared spectroscopy is applicable to distillation fractions, each of which contains only a few individual homologs. Commercially available standards limit use of the procedure to fractions boiling below about 185/sup 0/C. Reliability is illustrated by results on two known blends of pyridines. Average deviation from known values for a blend in the methylpyridine range was 0.2 percent and for a blend in the dimethylpyridine range was 2 percent. On applying the method to the analysis of low-boiling tar bases extracted from an oil produced by retorting Colorado oil shale, 11 pyridines were identified and concentrations of nine were quantitatively estimated.

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Secondary recovery research, Rocky Mountain region

The art of stimulating petroleum production by adding energy to the producing formations has not been widely practiced in the Rocky Mountain region.  Perhaps this lag in applying secondary recovery methods that have proved so successful in the Eastern and Mid-Continent regions has been partly due to  the distance from markets, the large number of operators involved in many of the unit operations and until recent years, the lack of adequate pipeline transportation to move the available oil to markets outside the area.  Almost continuously, from the time of the development of the great Salt Creek field in 1917 until World War II, the productive capacity of the developed fields in the area was greater than the local demand.  The first major pipeline connecting the area with Midwestern markets was completed in 1924, but only in recent years has pipeline capacity been expanded to accommodate the production from the area.

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3-D thermodynamic model of underground coal gasification in Eastern thin-seam coals. Final report, Task 19, October 1, 1979-December 31, 1980

A combustion link enhancement (CLE) thermodynamic model is presented for the prediction of link zone growth after the reverse combustion linking (RCL) phase and prior to the forward gasification (FG) phase in underground coal gasification. A good estimate of the link zone geometry after the CLE phase is necessary to be able to predict accurate FG cavity development.

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Use of torque wrench to determine load in roof bolts. Part III. Expansion-type, 5/8-inch bolts

An investigation was made of the torque-load relationship for /sup 5///sub 8/-inch diameter mine roof bolts. Ten combinations of /sup 5///sub 8/-inch mine roof bolts and expansion-shell units were tested in both sandstone and shale mine roofs to establish relationship between torque and bolt load and to determine accuracy of measurement.

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Soil studies:  physical and chemical analysis, native and retort soils

This report contains data from the physical and chemical analysis of native soils and retort soils from the Geokinetics Oil Shale Site, Uintah County, Utah. Four native soil types were sampled: loam, JR loam, Havre silt loam, and Luhon loam. Samples from retort soils were collected at 15 cm depths before and after the completion of the retorting process. There are no apparent differences between native soil types and retort soils. (GMC)

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Fracturing oil shale for in situ retorting experiments

Because oil shale is a rock with little or no permeability, it must be fractured or broken to allow the passage of fluids needed for retorting by in situ methods. The Laramie Energy Research Center has investigated a number of fracturing techniques. The first technique to be tested in the field was electrolinking, or electrocarbonization, accomplished by passing high voltage electricity through the oil shale. In the field under overburden pressure, the shale was carbonized by the electricity and small increases in permeability were noted, but no open fractures were obtained. Hydraulic fracturing has also been tested and in many cases results in increasing permeability, but retorting through hydraulic fractures would be extremely difficult because of the low surface area that results from the fracturing. To increase the surface area a number of different explosives and explosive fracturing techniques have also been investigated. Desensitized nitroglycerin displaced into a naturally occurring porous zone and into a sand-propped hydraulic fracture was used in one experiment. In another experiment slurried explosives were detonated in sand-propped horizontal hydraulic fractures. In this experiment, which is still in progress, preliminary evaluation shows the presence of both vertical and horizontal cracks intersecting the wellbores.

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Comparison of porphyrins from shale oil, oil shale, and petroleum by absorption and mass spectroscopy

Mass and absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize porphyrins extracted by a hydrogen bromide-acetic acid solution from an oil shale, a shale oil, and a petroleum.  The porphyrins in oil shale and petroleum were shown to be similar and to consist of at least two homologous series.  These porphyrins were alkylsubstituted and contain from 7 to 13  methylene substituents per molecule and most of the molecules also contained a carboalkoxy group.  Their average molecular weights were 508 for the shale porphyrins and 494 for the petroleum porphyrins their visible  spectra were of the phyllo type.  The porphyrins in shale oil are a complex mixture of etio-type porphyrins.  They have a molecular weight range of 366 to 522.  There is evidence for the lack of isocyclic ring and for the presence of both one and two carboalkoxy groups per molecule.

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Fatty acids in Green River formation oil shale. [Distribution of fatty acids and alkanes]

The organic material from the Mahogany Zone of the Green River Formation was formed primarily from algae and other aquatic life growing in a chemically stratified lake (2) with an aerobic zone in the upper regions.  As the organic debris settled to the bottom, it passed into an anaerobic zone, eventually becoming altered, compacted and desiccated to form kerogen and soluble organic material.  Some researchers believe that soluble organic material migrated from similar kerogens to become petroleum (8,9).  Because of the low permeability of its oil-shale sediment, the Green River Formation probably still contains petroleum forming organic material.  This offers a unique opportunity  to study early transformations of organic material prior to migration.  Fatty acids such as occur in Green River oil shale are believed to be a major source of petroleum alkanes.  Fatty acids as large as C35 have been extracted from an aerobic soil zone by Meinschein and Kenny (11).  The even-carbon-numbered acids predominated over the odd-carbon-numbered acids.  Fatty acids ranging from C14 to C30 were extracted from a recent sediment and from an ancient sediment by Cooper (4).  The abundance of odd-numbered acids was greater in the ancient sediment than in the recent sediment, indicating conversion of even acids to odd acids and n-alkanes.  Cooper and Bray proposed a mechanism explaining this conversion (5).  Abelson, Hoering and Parker extracted fatty acids from several sources including the Green River Formation (1) where fatty acids up to C18 were identified.  In the current study, the federal Bureau of Mines investigated fatty acids ranging from C14 to C34 from Green River oil shale and correlated the data with that for oil shale n-alkanes to gain insight into the nature and reactions of kerogen.

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Isolation of porphyrins from shale oil and oil shale. [Effects of retorting temperature]

Oil shale is a laminated rock of sedimentary origin that ranges from gray to dark brown to almost black.  It owes it color to carbonaceous matter called "kerogen" which is derived from plant and animal remains(1). Kerogen is largely insoluble in common organic solvents, but when heated to about 900 F, it yields shale oil.  This shale oil resembles petroleum in that it is composed of hydrocarbons and sulfur-nitrogen-oxygen derivatives of hydrocarbons.   It was found in this investigation that:  (1) Porphyrins are present in shale oil so they survive the retorting step.  (2) Retorting changes the porphyrins from phyllo to etio type, and their average molecular weight is lowered.  This lowering of the molecular weight is partially accounted for by decarboxylation.  (3) Porphyrins present in shale oil are shown to be a complex mixture of predominantly etio type with an average of nine methylene substituents on the porphine ring.  The absorption spectrum of the purest porphyrin prepared was nearly identical to the spectrum of a synthesized etio type porphyrin.

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