AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Preliminary evaluation of Rock Springs Site 9 in-situ oil shale retorting experiment

"Successful startup of an in situ retorting experiment in the Tipton Member of the Green River oil shale formation near Rock Springs, Wyoming., began on April 5, 1976, at Rock Springs site 9. The target shale was located in a 40-foot zone between 137 and 177 feet beneath the surface and  averaged 21 .3 gallons of oil per ton and 2.3 percent water by Fischer assay. After fracturing the shale zone with a combination of hydraulic and explosive fracturing treatments, the oil shale was ignited at a central air injection well with a electric heater and a propane burner.  The oil shale was retorted in advance of the combustion  front which propagated radially toward eight surrounding production wells. About 700 gallons of oil and 165 MM Btu of low-Btu gas were recovered during the first 35 days of operation.  Preliminary evaluation indicates that only a fraction of the oil shale reserves were retorted in advance of the combustion front.  A computer data acquisition system automatically monitored underground  temperatures, pressures, gas flow rates, and gas compositions at hourly intervals. Based on integration of these measurements, energy and material balance calculations indicate that the maximum amount of shale  retorted in specially designated test areas was probably less than 14 to 18 percent of the oil shale reserves within the 40-foot zone. Post- retorting core samples will be evaluated after the experiment is finished. At the time this paper was prepared, the experiment was still continuing and data from only the first 35 1/2 days of operation were available. When the experiment is completed, data from environmental monitoring of the experiment will also be evaluated to determine the impact of in situ oil shale processing on air, water, and land quality."

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Synthetic liquid fuels:  summary of annual report for 1950

In view of the ever increasing need for petroleum in the United States, the critical internation situation threatening foreign supplies, the growing demands for steel, and the heavy costs to industry of constantly discovering and developing new oil fields, it is believed that the prompt development of a synthetic fuel industry based on oil shale and coal is not only requisite to safeguard our oil supply but is an economically sound course for the foreseeable future. To neglect its development is to close our eyes and minds to our own resources at a time when they are needed critically. It also is apparent now that neither the Government nor industry would be taking any considerable economic risk in starting the initial plants, especially as measured against their potential value in meeting critical oil and chemical demands and in building a new industry in the West.

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Synthetic liquid fuels:  summary of report for January--May 1955

For current work in this field the Bureau of Mines needs no special authorization, and no extension of the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act was requested. As the act expired in April 1955, this volume is the last annual report of the Synthetic Liquid Fuels series. It covers results obtained through May 1955. Work done in the entire 11-year period will be summarized in a comprehensive report to be issued soon.

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Laboratory study of the hot-water process for separating hydrocarbons from surface deposits of bituminous sandstones near Edna, California

This preliminary report presents the results of laboratory research in the adaptation of the hot-water separation process to the recovery if hydrocarbons from bituminous sandstones of the Edna deposits near San Luis Obispo, Calif. The report describes the construction and operation of the laboratory separation plant and discusses the problems involved and  the results obtained in treating the Edna bituminous sandstones. The utilization of the recovered bitumen as a source of motor fuels, Diesel fuels, and fuel oils also is discussed, and data on cracking, analytical distillation, and its asphalt properties are summarized.

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Proposed development plan for a modified horizontal in situ experiment

A research program for the development of an in-situ technology for the recovery of oil shale from beds of thin strata is described. The program has been designed for five consecutive phases extending over a total of five years. Two possible field site locations in the White Mountain region of western Wyoming, near Rock Springs, have been selected. A corehole program as well as environmental studies have been initiated on these proposed sites. A mining plan has been designed to provide for determining blasting techniques, theoretical design data relating to heat effects on mine pillars, retort configuration and a general mining plan to minimize environmental impact. A retorting plan has also been developed to test both direct and indirect heating modes as well as both vertical and horizontal retorting techniques.

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Pyrolysis of Utah tar sands:  products and kinetics

The development of successful in-situ thermal recovery techniques for the Utah tar sands requires a knowledge and consideration of the pyrolytic behavior of these bituminous materials. Tar sands from four major Utah deposits, Northwest Asphalt Ridge, Tar Sand Triangle, P.R. Spring, Sunnyside, and from one Canadian deposit, Athabasca, were subjected to pyrolysis, in an inert atmosphere, at temperatures ranging from 500/sup 0/ to 1000/sup 0/F. All tar sand material was studied in the native state, no prior extraction or separation of the bitumen from the sand being performed. Pyrolysis products, i.e., oil, coke, and gas, were quantified and examined. Data for the thermal decomposition of tar sand bitumen followed first-order kinetics in the range of 700 to 1000/sup 0/F. The rate constants and activation energies for the pyrolysis of these materials are essentially independent of tar sand source, ranging from approximately 1 x 10/sup -4/ sec/sup 1/ at 700/sup 0/F to approximately 200 x 10/sup -4/ sec/sup -1/ at 1000/sup 0/F, with activation energies of approximately 30 to 35 kcal.

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Fracture mechanics of oil shale:  some preliminary results

Results of a comprehensive series of fracture toughness tests on oil shale from Anvil Points are presented. Since oil shale is layered and transversely isotropic, three-point-bend specimens representing 20 and 40 gal/ton were tested in the three principal crack orientations--divider, arrester, and short transverse. These specimens were fatigue cracked to produce a sharp natural crack in a stable manner by means of loading between fixed limits of the crack opening displacement. Crack front position was marked by immersing the specimen in a penetrating dye so that the crack length could be determined after final failure. Load-to-failure records of load vs. crack opening displacement showed evidence of crack surface interference or crack closure. Fracture toughness was found to decrease by approximately 40 percent for an increase in kerogen content from 20 to 40 gal/ton. Highest values of fracture toughness were found for the divider geometry, lowest for short transverse, and intermediate for arrester with the actual values varying from 0.3 to 1.1 MN m/sup -/sup 3///sub 2/.

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Reactive gases evolved during pyrolysis of Devonian oil shale

Computer modeling of oil shale pyrolysis is an important part of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Oil Shale Program. Models containing detailed chemistry have been derived from an investigation of Colorado oil shale. We are currently attempting to use models to treat more completely reactions of nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the retort to better understand emissions. Batch retorting work on Devonian oil shale is proving particularly useful for this study of nitrogen/sulfur chemistry. Improved analytical methods have been developed to quantitatively determine reactive volatiles at the parts-per-million level. For example, the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQMS) is used in the chemical ionization (CI) mode to provide real-time analytical data on ammonia evolution as the shale is pyrolyzed. A heated transfer line and inlet ensure rapid and complete introduction of ammonia to the instrument by preventing water condensation. Ammonia and water release data suitable for calculating kinetic parameters have been obtained from a New Albany Shale sample. An MS/MS technique with the TQMS in the electron ionization (EI) mode allows hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and certain trace organic sulfur compounds to be monitored during oil shale pyrolysis. Sensitivity and selectivity for these compounds have been increased by applying artificial intelligence techniques to tuning of the spectrometer. Gas evolution profiles (100 to 900/sup 0/C) are reported for hydrogen sulfide, water, ammonia, and trace sulfur species formed during pyrolysis of Devonian oil shale. Implications for retorting chemistry are discussed. 18 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.

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Explosively produced fracture of oil shale. Progress report, July--September 1976

Attempts were continued to characterize the material response to shock loading of oil shales of varying richness and orientation in the low-pressure region below 5 GPa. Although some questions about the transition from elastic to plastic response remain, this aspect of the problem seems well enough understood to allow meaningful large-scale computer calculations of a simple explosive event. A beginning on the problem of field use of laboratory data has been made. For example, a method of obtaining in situ elastic moduli by combining laboratory data with limited field data is presented. Also, the remarkable correlation among fracture orientations from dynamic experiments, measured principal stress direction, and tectonically produced surface fractures is documented. Characterization of ANFO and other nonideal explosives is proceeding well, and useful experimental results have been obtained. Finally, some early calculations of cavity growth and the stress distribution resulting from a spherical explosion in an anisotropic medium are presented.

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Oil yields of Devonian New Albany shales, Kentucky

"The carbonaceous shales of the New Albany formation and its partial correlatives, the Chattanooga Antrim, and Woodford shales, have long been known to produce oil on thermal treatment. Comprehensive oil-yield data for representative samples (core samples) from Kentucky's black shale deposits, however, are extremely limited.  Conant and Swanson (1961, p. 69) and Swanson  (1960, p. 36) report oil yields from outcrop samples  representing most of the formation. Other published data are difficult to evaluate because the surface samples may be weathered or not keyed to the formation, presenting an inaccurate picture. Three cores representing the entire New Albany Shale section in three Kentucky counties  were furnished the Federal Bureau of Mines by the Kentucky Geological Survey. Oil yields determined on these representative sets of samples are presented to aid in evaluating this deposit."

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Geochemistry and chemistry of oil shales

"Oil shales are defined according to economic criteria  they are rocks yielding commercial amounts of liquid  hydrocarbons upon destructive distillation. They contain  an organic matter (kerogen) similar to that of petroleum  source-rocks. Specific geochemical characteristics of oil  shales, as compared to petroleum source-rocks are presented hereunder: low natural thermal evolution, high  carbon content, high hydrogen amount of the organic matter. The evolution of some geochemical parameters during pyrolysis is shown for different oil shales. Finally,  specific features of the composition of shale oils compared  to that of natural petroleum are indicated: presence  of unsaturated hydrocarbons , higher amount of hetroatomic compounds."

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Nitrogen content of crude petroleums. [Kjeldahl method for 153 U. S. crudes]

In order to make Bureau of Mines analyses of crude oils more useful, the value of including a determination of nitrogen content was investigated.  Nitrogen contents of 153 crude petroleums from all parts of the United States were investigated.  In general, the more asphaltic crude oils contained the higher nitrogen contents and the bulk of the nitrogen was in the high molecular weight portion of the oils.  Correlations were developed between the Conradson carbon residue of the oil and the nitrogen content for oils from particular geological periods.  The nitrogen content of petroleum fractions is assuming considerable importance because of its adverse effect on cracking catalysts and on stability of finished products.  Consequently, generalizations as to the amount of nitrogen in the crude oil and information as to its boiling-range distribution are important in the selection of crude stock for particular operations.  Correlations of nitrogen content with geologic age may give clues as to the origin and process of conversion of petroleum.

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Refining properties of new crudes. III. Oils from 20 new discoveries in the Rocky Mountain region analyzed. [20 crudes]

Twenty crude oils in the Rocky Mountain fields have been selected as representative of discoveries of the past two years in this territory. They have been analyzed by the special Bureau of Mines technique to indicate their refining potentialities. The analyses are compared with those of crudes from older fields in this area, both as to characteristics and as to possible utilization in processing.

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In situ coal gasification:  prospects as a source of utility fuel

The second Hanna underground coal gasification experiment has been recently completed. Although the line drive system was unsuccessful, completion of two 2-well burns side by side lead to utilization of 6690 tons (6170 tonnes) of coal during a 4-month period. Sustained production of 175 of 185 Btu/scf (6.2 to 6.5 megajoules/m/sup 3/) gas was achieved. Maximum production reached 11.8 MM scfd (353,000 m/sup 3//day). Groundwater influx during the second 2-well burn led to lower product gas heating value and cold gas thermal efficiency. The influence of air injection rate, backpressuring, and groundwater influx rate is discussed. The applicability of underground coal gasification to commercial power generation is discussed based on Soviet experience and on a recent study of the effects of firing low-Btu gas.

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Effects of aqueous effluents from in situ fossil-fuel processing technologies on aquatic systems

Progress is reported for the second year of this project to evaluate the effects of aqueous effluents from in-situ fossil fuel processing technologies on aquatic biota. The project objectives for Year 2 were pursued through five tasks: literature reviews on process water constituents, possible environmental impacts and potential control technologies; toxicity bioassays on the effects of coal gasification and oil shale retorting process waters and six process water constituents on aquatic biota; biodegradation studies on process water constituents; bioaccumulation factor estimation for the compounds tested in the toxicity bioassays; and recommendations on maximum exposure concentrations for process water constituents based on data from the project and from the literature. Results in each of the five areas of research are reported.

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Minutes of Industry--Bureau of Mines oil-shale conference, Laramie, Wyoming, August 10--11, 1954. [Twelve papers indexed separately for EDB]

Industry representatives met with the Bureau staff in Pittsburgh, Pa., to review the coal to oil phase of the program, and on August 10 and 11, 1954, a similar meeting of industry and the Bureau was held at the University of Wyoming Summer Science Camp, near Laramie, Wyoming, to discuss the bureau's oil shale program. An informal atmosphere prevailed during the sessions at the science camp and the bureau received many helpful suggestions and comments.

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Spectroscopic identification of basic nitrogen compounds in Wilmington petroleum. [Identification of basic nitrogen compounds in the 130/sup 0/ to 350/sup 0/ distillate fractions]

"A study of the basic nitrogen compounds in Wilmington (Calif.) petroleum fractions has produced considerable information on their composition. Characterization of the  classes of basic nitrogen compounds in the 130 to 3500 C. distillate fractions was made by low-voltage mass spectral analyses. Two individual compounds--an alkyl substituted cyclopentapyrindan and an alkylcycloalkyl-substituted pyridine- were separated and identified. Procedures used to separate the compounds from the oil  included distillation, mineral acid extraction, and gas-liquid chromatography. The identifications were made by a combination of mass, infrared , ultraviolet, and nuclear  magnetic resonance spectrometry."

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Characteristics of crude oils from the Powder River Basin

"During the past four years, some major oil discoveries have been made in the Powder River structural basin in  Wyoming. Oil is being produced from formations of Cretaceous, Jurassic, Pennsylvanian and Mississippian periods. Most of the recent discoveries have been made in Cretaceous formations and these are the major source of oil at present. Many oil samples from the basin have been collected and analyzed by the Bureau of Mines over the past 30 years. Recently discovered Cretaceous oils, as  well as those discovered earlier, are all low sulfur oils. All high sulfur oils have come from older Pennsylvanian and Mississippian formations. However, low sulfur oil is being produced from Jurassic and Pennsylvanian formations at  Lance Creek. The oils have two types of correlation-index curves. One type is characteristic of the Cretaceous oils and the other of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian oils.  As a whole, the Cretaceous oils are paraffinic and  waxbearing, with a slight concentration of aromatics or naphthenes in the gasoline range. Pennsylvanian and  Mississippian oils, as a whole, are more naphthenic or aromatic than Cretaceous oils and contain more asphalt and less wax. The Cretaceous oils are very similar to those from the neighboring Big Horn and Julesburg Basins. Pennsylvanian and Mississippian oils are similar to those from the Big Horn Basin."

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Explosively produced fracture of oil shale. Progress report, April 1--June 30, 1976

Research progress is reported on the following studies:  inelastic behavior of oil shale; cylindrical explosions in an ideally plastic medium; generalized ratios of elastic moduli for oil shale; characterization of ANFO, an explosive composed of approx. 94 wt % ammonium nitrate and 6 wt % No. 2 diesel fuel oil; oil shale equation of state; computer modeling of intermediate scale experiments; large gas gun experiments; spall recovery experiments; and oil shale under dynamic stress. (JGB)

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Thermal decomposition of dawsonite

X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal methods of analysis were used to resolve conflicting statements in the literature on the thermal decomposition of dawsonite (NaAl(OH)/sub 2/CO/sub 3/). By 350/sup 0/C the dawsonite structure collapses and water equivalent to the hydroxyl group and a large portion of the carbonate CO/sub 2/ are lost. This decomposition product then gradually loses the remainder of the CO/sub 2/ and remains amorphous until crystalline NaAlO/sub 2/ is formed at approximately 670/sup 0/C.

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Separation of asphaltic materials by reversed phase partition and adsorption chromatography. Comparison of the fractions by infrared spectrometry

The separation of thermally sensitive, high molecular-weight materials require the development of techniques different from those used in the gas chromatographic separation of thermally stable materials. Gas- liquid chromatography (GLC) has many advantages; such as small sample size, speed of separation, and continuous quantitative detection of the sample. However, the use of GLC in the analysis of high molecular-weight materials is restricted by the low volatility and the thermal instability of these materials.

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Oil shale mining investigations, Rifle, Colorado

The mining is being conducted by the Oil Shale Mining Branch of the Office of Synthetic Fuels.  The duties of this branch are: (1) To determine the extent of the oil shale resources in the United States, (2) to produce and deliver to the retorting plant selectively mined oil shale from any of 10 beds within the Mahogany Ledge that vary in richness and retorting characteristics and (3) to develop and demonstrate mining methods and equipment and determine the detailed costs for mining the Mahogany Ledge on a large scale.  This paper will be confined to the third and most important phase of the mining.

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Acquisition Regulations Handbook, Source Evaluation Board

This Handbook is published to provide a compilation of existing significant policies and procedures applicable to the source evaluation and selection process. It provides guidance to Source Selection Officials, Source Evaluation Boards and others who will participate in the preparation of requests for proposals, evaluation of proposals, preparation of Source Evaluation Board reports, presentations to selection officials and selection of offerors. The Source Evaluation Board process is utilized by the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate competitive proposals submitted in response to formal requests for proposals above a specified dollar amount. The objectives of the process are to: assure the efficient and effective expenditure of government funds; optimize the opportunity for attainment of program objectives; obtain adequate and effective competition in the acquisition of goods and services; assure impartial, equitable, and thorough evaluation of proposals and other information received; and provide necessary data to the Source Selection Official to permit the selection of the best offer. The provisions of this Handbook shall be used in appropriate major competitive procurements as provided for in DOE Directives and Acquisition Regulations and for other situations as determined by the Secretary.

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Determination of asphaltenes, oils, and resins in asphalt

"The present development of analytical methods does not  permit determination of the individual compounds of which  asphalt is composed. The best, that can be done is to segregate its similar compounds into groups. Probably the most widely accepted grouping is that proposed by Marcuson (1, 16), who separated asphalt into three major fraction- asphaltenes, asphaltic resins, and oily constituents-by means of different solvent- and by adsorption on fuller's earth. Many modifications (3,,13,14,15,18, 22, 23) of the Marcusson method and numerous other methods (2, 4-7,9, 10, 12, 17, 24) based entirely upon the solubility of the asphalt constituents in different solvents have been proposed. None of these methods is entirely satisfactory; each one fails in one or more of the following respects: The methods are too time-consuming. Analyses of asphalt  by many of the published methods require several days to several weeks for completion, and during these periods the constituents may undergo undesirable chemical alterations. Extractions are made at the boiling point of the solvents rather than at specified reproducible temperatures. The boiling point temperatures of the solvents are difficult to reproduce in different localities because of differences in barometric pressure."

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