AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Empirical characterization of oil-shale cratering experiments. [RDX, ANFO, PETN, TNT]

Numerous small- and intermediate-size cratering experiments have been conducted in Piceance Creek Basin oil shale at the Colony and Anvil Points oil shale mines near Rifle, Colorado. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate scaling as a tool to infer the behavior of large-scale tests from small-scale experiments, to calibrate the hydrodynamic computer codes used to model explosive fragmentation of oil shale, and to investigate the influence of bedding plane orientation, natural joints, fractures, and the grade of oil shale on rock fragmentation. The small tests were made using PETN and RDX explosive with charge sizes of a few grams. The intermediate-sized tests used ANFO or TNT explosives with charge sizes of 5 to 100 kg. Crater dimensions were measured on all experiments. Crater volumes were calculated from screened rubble volumes on the intermediate-scale experiments and measured directly on the small-scale experiments. Fragment size distributions were measured on most of the intermediate-sized tests and on several of the small-scale experiments. The analyses of these cratering data show: (1) small-scale cratering tests can be used to qualitatively predict the kinds of geologic interactions that will influence a larger-scale experiment; (2) the site specific geology plays a dominant role in the formation of the crater; (3) small flaws and fractures influence crater development and particle size distributions in small-scale craters in the same manner that joint and fracture systems influence intermediate-scale experiments; (4) complex site geology causes increases in the critical and optimum depths of burial and changes the symmetry of the crater; and (5) small- and intermediate-scale cratering experiments can be used to calibrate hydrodynamic computer codes if great care is used to identify the effect of site specific geology. 15 figures, 6 tables.

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Oil-shale by-product combustor

The use of fluid-bed combustor for burning by-products from an oil-shale retorting operation appears to be a viable method of increasing the useful energy that can be extracted from raw oil shale. It is, however, apparent that the chemistry and combustion characteristics of oil shale vary considerably and that the suitability of any particular oil shale for use in a fluid bed must be independently evaluated. In order to perform such an evaluation, it is necessary that pilot-scale screening tests be conducted using the oil shale being considered. Once a sufficient bank of test data for a variety of oil shales is available, the screening tests may no longer be necessary. 5 figures, 2 tables.

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Method for reclaiming waste water from oil-shale processing. [Stepise procedure involving use of activated C, cation and ion exchange resins]

Because the importance of industrial pollution abatement contributes to grow, this work was initiated to develop possible solutions for environmental problems that an oil-shale processing industry may create. Although the commercial production of fuel from oil shale is still in the future, it is realized that adequate disposal of waste products from a large oil-shale processing plant may present major problems. The bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of the Interior, has initiated research to identify and propose solutions for the waste disposal problems in advance of industrial development as a guide to the incorporation of environmentally acceptable disposal processes in future plants..

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Oil shale retorting technology

Reports that a 12,800-ton/d retorting process scheduled to start up in mid-1983 promises to improve its product yield and quality. A third-generation process is also expected to increase thermal efficiency. Kerogen in the oil shale is decomposed on retorting and is liberated from the rock as oil and gas vapors. Use of the cold incoming shale feed to condense the bulk of the oil product substantially reduces the capital and operating costs for external condensing equipment common to most other surface retorting schemes. Retorting conditions can be established which will cause the retorting to take place near the top of the retort bed. At this level, the contact pressure between shale particles is at a minimum. Union Oil has been involved in the development of surface oil shale retorting for close to 40 years and has pioneered the development of solids upflow retorting. Presents tables with combustion decarbonized shale properties; combustor flue-gas properties; and efficiency of oil shale plants. Plant efficiencies including fuel consumption for mining and shale preparation are calculated by dividing the heating value of the net products by the sum of the heating values of the raw shale, power plant fuel for purchased power, and diesel fuel for the mine and disposal areas. Process development and combustor equipment design and selection is continuing.

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BX in situ oil shale project. Annual technical progress report, March 1, 1979-February 29, 1980 and quarterly technical progress report, December 1, 1979-February 29, 1980

During the year, design, construction and installation of all project equipment was completed, and continuous steam injection began on September 18, 1979 and continued until February 29, 1980. In the five-month period of steam injection, 235,060 barrels of water as steam at an average wellhead pressure of 1199 psig and an average wellhead temperature of 456/sup 0/F were injected into the eight project injection wells. Operation of the project at design temperature and pressure (1000/sup 0/F and 1500 psig) was not possible due to continuing problems with surface equipment. Environmental monitoring at the project site continued during startup and operation.

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Progress report on Bureau of Mines-Atomic Energy Commission corehole, Rio Blanco County, Colorado

In 1965 the Bureau of Mines with the assistance of cooperation of the Atomic Energy Commission drilled an exploratory corehole in Piceance Creek Basin, Colo., to evaluate buried oil shales that might be amenable to fracturing by a nuclear explosive and subsequenty recovery of oil by underground retorting. Preliminary results indicate continuous oil shales occurred at depths of 985 ft to the bottom of the hole at 2,600 ft and may extend another 600 ft below the sampled interval. Present plans are to deepen the hole and take boroscopic photographs of an interval exhibiting poor core recovery. A second hole will be drilled at another site in the basin to locate thinner oil-shale beds under less overburden that may be more suitable for the proposed underground tests.

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Synthetic fuels from US oil shales:  a technical and economic verification of the HYTORT process. Final report (incorporates fourth quarterly report), January 1-March 31, 1981

The objective of this program is to fully demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of the HYTORT process concept as it applies to both Eocene and Devonian shales. Achievementof this objective will significantly widen the Naton's synthetic fuels resource base by adding a new resource- Devonian shale - to the list of possible feestocks for a synthetic fules industry. It will also establish a high efficiency alternative to conventional retorting of Western oil shales.

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Shale oil retention on crushed unretorted shale

The ability to predict the quantity of oil retained on unretorted shale is necessary if viable models of the retorting process are to be formulated. A knowledge of the amount of retained oil is important because a portion of it may be cracked and thus increase the quantity of carbon residue found on the spent shale. Carbon residue not only provides a significant portion of the energy needed to sustain retorting but also plays an important role in the kinetics of the process. In this study, retention data of oil on unretorted shale are presented for shale samples ranging in size from /sup 1///sub 2/ inch to number 14 U.S. mesh. The data are correlated in terms of the residual saturation and capillary number.

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Environmental readiness document:  oil shale. Commercialization phase III planning

The primary unresolved problems that above-ground retorting faces are stringent air quality regulations, management of solid wastes, and lack of data on the environmental, health, and safety impacts. Concerns of in-situ technologies are aquifer disruption/contamination, occupational health underground (modified in-situ), and lack of data on environmental, health, and safety impacts. Probabilities are computed that an adverse finding will be found, that the program will be delayed, and that energy costs will increase by 10%. (DLC)

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Systems model of the iron oxide hot-gas clean-up process. Volume 1. Theoretical and experimental results. Final report, September 1979-December 1980

Theoretical and numerical models of fixed bed H/sub 2/S absorption columns were developed in the present research. These models provide transient descriptions of the breakthrough behavior of the bed and of the temperature excursions associated with the chemical reactions. There are two categories of models. The first of these is an extension of the classical constant pattern solutions to the representation of reduction, sulfidation and regeneration in the column. The second category of model uses a finite difference method to provide a detailed description in time and length of the column, of the multi-component gas flow, the conversion of sorbent, and associated temperature distribution during column operation. The finite difference model can also be operated in concert with unit process models for heat exchangers, knockout drums and interconnecting lines that typify a flow sheet for an H/sub 2/S removal system. Both the constant pattern model and the finite difference model can also be applied to moving beds.

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Two-dimensional numerical model of underground oil-shale retorting

A two-dimensional numerical model of underground oil shale retorting, which fully couples retorting chemistry with fluid and heat flow, has been developed. The model solves the time-dependent, two-dimensional mass, momentum, and energy balance equations for a nine-component fluid (O/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, H/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, CO, CH/sub 4/, CH/sub x/, H/sub 2/O, and oil). Water and oil can flow in the liquid and/or vapor phases. Retort chemistry includes kerogen pyrolysis, carbonate decomposition, char reactions, and combustion. Also, detailed modeling of heat flow and chemistry inside shale particles allows large rubble sizes as well as small sizes to be considered. The model is compared to one-dimensional experimental data obtained from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The model can be used to examine the effect of two-dimensional variations in shale grade, rubble size, permeability, porosity, geometry, inflow gas composition, etc. on retorting efficiency and process optimization. A sample calculation is presented.

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Second report to Congress on emerging clean coal technologies capable of retrofitting, repowering, or modernizing existing facilities

This summary report to Congress analyzes the potential usefulness and commercial viability of emerging clean coal technologies for: advanced combusters; alternative fuels; coal preparation; fluidized bed combustion; fuel cells; flue gas cleanup; heat engines; industrial processes; coal liquefaction; magnetohydrodynamics; repowering; and surface coal gasification. Economics and funding are discussed. (PSB)

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Site visit report:  Big Rivers Power Company, Green Plant, Henderson, Kentucky. Final report

This report details the activities, facilities, and equipment used to sample raw feedstock and waste solids at the Big Rivers Electric Company's Green Plant in Henderson, Kentucky. Explanation of sampling locations, deviations from the Test Plan, sampling techniques (in accordance with the Fossil Energy Waste General Sampling Guideline), and plant design are reviewed. Versar Inc.'s responsibility in this project involves the sampling, containerization, labeling, and distribution of samples. Distribution of samples was coordinated through the Versar Office in Springfield, Virginia; therefore, no detailed description of distribution procedures is given in this document.

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Experimental in situ retorting of oil shale at Rock Springs, Wyoming

Preliminary results of an in situ oil shale retorting experiment conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in a shallow bed of Green River oil shale at Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, Wyoming are described. Eleven wells were drilled into a 20-ft-thick section of the shale lying between 68 and 88 ft deep, and attempts were made to connect the wells through the shale with a fracture system created by application of high-voltage electricity (electro linking), hydraulic fracturing, and explosive fracturing. Ignition of the shale through the central well was easily achieved with a propane burner, and shale oil began to collect in 3 wells within 3 hr. Propane injection was discontinued after 7 days, and combustion continues, although attempts to control the direction of the combustion front have been unsuccessful. Production rates as high as 4-1/2 bopd have been recorded, but too little is known about underground conditions to permit an estimate of recovery efficiency at this time. (Abstract only - original not available)

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Acquisition, processing and storage for environmental research of aqueous effluents derived from in situ oil shale processing

A relatively large volume (12,450 gal) of water significant to oil-shale processing by in situ combustion was required to perform environmental studies at the U.S. ERDA Laramie Energy Research Center. This effluent is a relatively scarce commodity for research purposes. This study is concerned with the identification of problems and the solutions to problems associated with the aquisition, processing, and storage of a large stock reserve of environmental research water. Special attention is given to the practical aspects of field collection procedures, processing by filtration to remove suspended materials, and mitigation of chemical instability induced by microbial degradation of dissolved components.

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Mineral and organic distributions and relationships across the Green River formation's saline depositional center, Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado

Stratigraphically correlated profiles of organic matter concentration and profiles of 8 major mineral x-ray diffraction peak heights in oil shales, through Colorado's Green River Formation near its saline depositional center, are presented in histogram form. The profiles are used to show distributions and relationships of the minerals and organic matter. Strong direct relationships between the volume of organic matter in Colorado's Green River Formation oil shales and the relative amounts of the silicate minerals--quartz, soda feldspar, and potash feldspar-- were demonstrated singly and collectively. The silicate minerals were also shown to be directly related to each other. Dawsonite in the saline zone of the Formation was also shown to be directly related to the volume of organic matter and indirectly to the amount of nahcolite. These relationships were all interpreted as the results of CO/sub 2/ evolution from organic matter in the sediment. A strong direct relationship demonstrated between dawsonite and quartz was credited to both the organic CO/sub 2/ mechanisms and to ash-fall decomposition. Significant non-correlation with organic matter or any of the other minerals was found for calcite and analcime. Lack of significant correlation among any of the components in one particular section demonstrated absence of geochemical control during its deposition. The relationships provide an additional interpretive tool for the Green River Formation.

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Investigation of the Geokinetics'horizontal in-situ oil shale retorting process. Quarterly report, October-December 1982

Progress achieved during the quarter ending December 1982 is reported. As of December 31, 1982, Retort No. 26 had produced 19,545 barrels of oil, as measured in the storage tanks. Approximately 11,626 barrels of oil had been produced during the fourth quarter. Air has been injected into the retort at an average rate of 4714 scfm over the life of the burn. By the quarter's end, the fire front had advanced to a point 215 feet downstream of the air-injection wells, except for a narrow portion along the south edge. As of December 31, all air-in and air-out wells have been drilled, and stemming has commenced on Retort No. 27. Twelve production and eleven observation wells are in partial completion, and 55 instrumentation wells had been drilled and their accompanying instruments installed. Construction of the air-in and off gas manifolding is underway. Post-blast coring on Retort No. 28 was completed in November. Re-entry drilling has progressed during the quarter. Laboratory work on a variety of projects and environmental studies have also continued.

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Approach to incorporating proven quality assurance, reliability, and human factors principles in fire protection programs

The Sandia Fire Protection program activities are compared with the technical functions required of an assurance program that has been tailored for ES and H assurance. Parts of all of the required assurance functions are present. The focus is on facilities, as they are occupied at any given point in time, and on the generic types of hazards associated with them. The facilities list is formalized. Major fire hazards are known to the Fire Protection staff, although no single formal list is maintained. Risk is used as a measure of performance for insurance-related evaluations and also as a basis for ranking. Risk is consciously considered, as are risk factors, although the relationship between them is understood only qualitatively. Formal efforts to identify nontechnical risk factors are made, but specific risk and risk factor activities have an informal character.

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LLL environmental studies of in situ coal gasification. Annual report, fiscal year 1977

This is the first annual report on a continuing investigation at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) into the environmental ramifications of in situ coal gasification. The investigation is focused on changes in ground-water quality and the effects of ground movement and subsidence, which represent important environmental concerns associated with the in situ coal gasification process. Our methods include laboratory measurements, predictive modeling studies, and field measurements carried out in conjunction with LLL coal gasification experiments in northeastern Wyoming. These activities will serve as a basis for the identification of appropriate environmental control technologies. Our measurements of ground-water quality near the first LLL gasification experiment indicate that the concentration of many potential contaminants decreases significantly as a result of adsorption by the surrounding coal. For example, the concentration of phenolic materials decreased by a factor of 50 in a period of 280 days. To investigate subsidence phenomena, we have conducted triaxial strength tests on geologic core samples from the gasification site and have installed an array of surface and subsurface geotechnical instruments to be used in conjunction with a second LLL gasification experiment. Such measurements will enable us to refine our finite element modeling capabilities, which have been used to predict subsidence effects at the LLL in situ gasification site.

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Oil shale: Technology status report

In FY 85 the Oil Shale Program completed the transition to the new structure that began in FY 84. In FY 84 the Oil Shale Program was restructured to advance the understanding of oil shale conversion to a point allowing development of advanced concepts for the production of liquids from shale. Within the Oil Shale Program, the highest priority research is that required to generate pedigree data essential to the understanding of the conversion phenomena. These data will provide input for the private sector's commercial decision-making process. This research includes efforts in the fields of appropriate technology and environmental sciences to establish the data bases and predictive capability required to identify and mitigate potential problems. The principal participants in the new program are Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Morgantown Energy Technology Center, Sandia National Laboratory, Western Research Institute, and selected universities and private companies. The restructured program is to be accomplished in 10 years, in two 5-year phases. The first phase is designed to acquire the best possible data. The second phase is designed to use the data through systems analysis and environmental control technology development to design efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable conversion systems. The major activities that were initiated in FY 85, the first year of the restructured program, are described in this report. 73 refs.

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Effects of temperature and pressure on the hydroretorting yields of three Eastern oil shales

Hydroretorting has been demonstrated as a high yield approach for processing Eastern U.S. oil shales. HYCRUDE and IGT are conducting research under a cooperative agreement with DOE to determine the hydroretorting characteristics of Eastern oil shales. The results of hydroretorting shales from Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee in 100-gram batch tests conducted in the Hydroretorting Assay Unit (HAU) are presented in this paper. Oil yields as high as 218% of the Fischer Assay and carbon conversions up to 90%, 79%, and 80% for Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee shales, respectively, were achieved.

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Nahcolite properties affecting stack gas pollutant absorption

Nahcolite, the mineral form of sodium bicarbonate, is present in vast quantities in Green River Formation oil shales of Northwestern Colorado. The total resource is about 29 billion tons. Nahcolite is being seriously considered as an SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub x/ absorber for coal-fired power plants. In this application it decomposes to sodium carbonate (with loss of carbon dioxide and water) which then reacts with SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub x/ in the flue gas stream. This paper deals with characteristics of the mineral and its solid decomposition product which are important in the absorption of these gaseous pollutants. These include some aspects of thermal decomposition of the nahcolite as well as information about the physical nature of the sodium carbonate produced. Data on pore size, pore distribution, surface area and compressive strength are presented. Four common types of nahcolite were investigated. Thermal decomposition of nahcolite at flue gas temperatures produces porous sodium carbonate with high surface area capable of reacting rapidly and efficiently with SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub x/. All four types of nahcolite showed suitable properties.

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