AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Volumetric heating of oilshales by electromagnetic methods. Volume 4. Thermal properties

The problem of heat conduction in layered materials is investigated. Equations for heat conduction developed earlier by Murakami et. al have been used to perform numerical studies for oil shale materials. The resulting solutions are compared to the solutions of the heat equation with effective thermal properties. The comparison yields bounds on the validity of using effective medium values for the thermal properties for time dependent problems. The anisotropic nature of heat conduction in layered materials is also studied. A new solution to the heat equation in composite media is derived using a variational principle developed by Ben-Amoz. The model micro-structure is fed into the equations via a term for the polar moment of the inclusions in a representative volume. The general solution is presented as an integral in terms of sources and a Green function. The problem of uniqueness is studied to determine appropriate boundary conditions. The solution reduces to the solution of the normal heat equation in the limit of homogeneous media. A solution to the heat conduction equation for multi-dimensional composite media, with discontinuities of thermal properties, and having contact resistance at inclusion interfaces is presented. This solution utilizes a quasi-orthogonal expansion technique developed by Tittle. The temperature is expressed as an integral over sources and boundary surfaces in terms of a Green function. The solution is thereby reduced to solving the related eigenfunction problem for the Green function. This solution is also expressed in an alternative form utilizing a technique developed by Olcer which promotes faster convergence of the eigenfunction expansion in regions of discontinuities. 42 refs., 19 figs.

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MININR:  a geochemical computer program for inclusion in water flow models - an application study

MININR is a reduced form of the computer program MINTEQ which calculates equilibrium precipitation/dissolution of solid phases, aqueous speciation, adsorption, and gas phase equilibrium. The user-oriented features in MINTEQ were removed to reduce the size and increase the computational speed. MININR closely resembles the MINEQL computer program developed by Westall (1976). The main differences between MININR and MINEQL involve modifications to accept an initial starting mass of solid and necessary changes for linking with a water flow model. MININR in combination with a simple water flow model which considers only dilution was applied to a laboratory column packed with retorted oil shale and percolated with distilled water. Experimental and preliminary model simulation results are presented for the constituents K/sup  /, Na/sup  /, SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/, Mg/sup 2  /, Ca/sup 2  /, CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/ and pH.

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Lateral transmission system for buried instrumentation

A telemetry system that measures temperatures within a burning coal seam from beneath the seam is described. The temperature data are laterally transmitted through the earth to a receiver outside the high-temperature zone and then sent to the surface by wire. The system has a range of 46 m, battery capacity for 6-months operation, and performs 12 external measurements each hour. Complete electrical schematics together with ordering instructions for the fabrication drawing set are included in this report.

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Results from the third LLL underground coal gasification experiment at Hoe Creek

A major objective of the US Energy Program is the development of processes to produce clean fuels from coal. Underground coal gasification is one of the most promising of these processes. If successful, underground coal gasification (UCG) would quadruple the proven reserves of the US coal. Cost for products produced from UCG are projected to be 65 to 75% of those from conventional coal conversion. Finally, UCG appears to possess environmental advantages since no mining is involved and there are less solid wastes produced. In this paper we describe results from the Hoe Creek No. 3 underground coal gasification test. The experiment employed a drilled channel between process wells spaced 130'apart. The drilled channel was enlarged by reverse combustion prior to forward gasification. The first week of forward gasification was carried out using air injection, during which 250 tons of coal were consumed yielding an average dry product gas heating value of 114 Btu/scf. Following this phase, steam and oxygen were injected (generally a 50-50 mixture) for 47 days, during which 3945 tons of coal were consumed at an average rate of 84 tons of coal per day and an average dry gas heating value of 217 Btu/scf. The average gas composition during the steam-oxygen phase was 37% H/sub 2/, 5% CH/sub 4/, 11% CO, and 44% CO/sub 2/. Gas recovery was approximately 82% during the test, and the average thermochemical efficiency was near 65%.

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Caustic extraction of alumina and soda from dawsonite-bearing oil shale. Report of investigations

The Bureau of Mines investigate the caustic extraction of alumina and soda from retorted dawsonite-bearing oil shale, as part of a program to devise technology for treating alternative domestic sources of alumina for the production of aluminum metal. Colorado oil shale yielding 13 pct oil (35 gal/ton) and containing 12 wc-pct dawsonite (representing about 4 pct extractale alumina) was retorted to obtain oil-free (spent) shale. Spent shale was leached with dilute NaOh to  determine the effect of particle size, retorting temperature, leaching variables, and sotage condtioins on extraction of alumina and soda and issolution of impurities.

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Possible mechanism of alkene/alkane production in oil shale retorting

The purpose of the work reported is to clarify the reaction mechanisms which determine the observed alkene/alkane ratios under various conditions. The C/sub 1/ to C/sub 3/ hydrocarbons and hydrogen were measured as a function of time for oil shale heated at a constant rate. 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 determined. It is shown that the C/sub 2/H/sub 4/-C/sub 2/H/sub 6/-H/sub 2/ system is not in thermal equilibrium. Results are interpreted in terms of a nonequilibrium free radical mechanism proposed by Raley.

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Anaerobic biological treatment of in-situ retort water

Anaerobic fermentation was successfully used in a laboratory-scale batch digester to remove soluble organics from retort water. Required pretreatment includes reduction of ammonia levels to 360 mg-N/l, pH adjustment to 7.0, sulfide control, and the addition of the nutrients, calcium, magnesium, and phoshorus. If the prescribed pretreatment is used, BOD/sub 5/ and COD removal efficiencies of 89 to 90% and 65 to 70% are achieved, respectively.

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New developments in oil shale retorting by union oil company (of California)

Union Oil Company starting in the early 1940's has pioneered the development of upflow retorting technology. Retort A was developed first. It obtained heat directly by internal combustion of coke on retorted shale and was demonstrated I nthe late 1050's at rates up to 1200 tons/day. Although it had a high thermal efficiency, 40 percent of the product energy was produced as low Btu gas. Union Oil research sought ways to produce either a high Btu retort gas or a hydrogen-rich gas that could be utilized in shale oil upgrading. This effort led to the development of Retort B which produces excellent quality oil and a high Btu gas product. Energy in the shale residue from this retort is not recovered and it is necessary to burn a portion of the oil or gas product to run the process.

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Chemical process symposium. Pyrolysis of oil shale. [In fluidized bed at 250 to 465/sup 0/ and 50 to 625 mm Hg]

Shale oil has been produced throughout the world for over 100 years by heating oil shale to a temperature such that the organic matter is converted to oil, gas, and coke. While considerable work has been done to establish the relationship among temperature, time, vapor removal, and quantity and quality of products, the essentially empherical manner in which the oil shale pyrolysis has been studied is indicated by over 100 patented retorts in this country alone.

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The development of the KENTORT II process for eastern US oil shale

This report summarizes the development of the KENTORT II process during the period of September 1, 1986 through December 31, 1989. The purpose of this program was to develop on a small scale a process to improve efficiency, process economics, and resolve environmental problems involved in the utilization of eastern US oil shale as an energy source and chemical feedstock. The process includes fluidized bed sections of pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion with combined solid/gas heat transfer among the stages. The operation of each zone of the KENTORT II process was demonstrated both separately in a bench-scale unit and as an integrated system in a 5-lb/hr mini-plant. Sulfur removal of up to 91% was achieved following integral pyrolysis-gasification processing, and no more than 8.3% of the sulfur was converted to SO{sub 2} when the combustion zone was in operation. Carbon gasification proceeded more slowly than sulfur removal, but a significant amount of H{sub 2}-rich syngas was produced. Under most conditions, sufficient hydrogen was produced to completely upgrade the crude shale oil. Heat transfer to the pyrolysis zone by solid recirculation was shown to be practical and did not seriously reduce oil yields. Oil yields averaged 111% of modified Fischer assay when the miniplant was operated with solid recirculation and with the combustor in place. This study was successful in experimentally demonstrating the KENTORT II process at a miniature scale, and it is recommended that development of the process continue. Due to the geometry of the KENTORT II design, a commercially realistic heat transfer situation could be not achieved in the 5-lb/hr system. 50 refs., 63 figs., 28 tabs.

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Measurement of mercury emissions from a modified in-situ oil-shale retort

Commercial oil-shale production has the potential to release significant amounts of mercury to the atmosphere. Two techniques to measure mercury in oil-shale-retort offgas, Zeeman atomic absorption spectroscopy and gold-bead amalgamation collection and analysis, are discussed and compared. A technique for speciating between organic and atomic forms of Hg is also discussed. The measured mercury emission rates and speciation results are presented.

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Vegetative evaluation of procedures used to treat aqueous effluents derived from in situ fossil fuel processing

The effectiveness of synthetic fuel waste water treatment in removing compounds toxic to a rangeland grass was evaluated. Treated and untreated tar sand and oil shale in situ produced waste water were applied to bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) and phytotoxic effects were observed. Different waste water concentrations (volume/volume dilutions with distilled water) were tested to help determine a full range of plant response to these waste waters. Test waters plus nutrient solution were applied daily to seedlings grown in perilite or soil for ten weeks. Plants were harvested, dried, weighed and analyzed for treatment differences using leaf area; leaf, stem, root, shoot, and total weight production; root to shoot dry weight ratios; and survival. Results indicate treated and untreated tar sand waste waters are toxic but not lethal to bluebunch wheatgrass at high concentrations. Low concentrations of these waters stimulate plant growth. All tested concentrations of treated and untreated oil shale retort waste water were toxic and lethal to bluebunch wheatgrass. 46 references, 2 figures, 10 tables.

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Commercial feasibility of underground gasification of Texas lignite to produce synthetic gas

As part of the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Underground Coal Conversion (UCC) program, the Republic of Texas Coal Company conducted engineering, geologic, and financial studies to determine the commercial feasibility of developing deep basin Texas lignite. The lignite would be developed by in situ gasification to produce a synthesis gas consisting of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The study was conducted during a 2-year period from October 1, 1980 to December 31, 1982. The study was designed to analyze the four major factors that determine commercial feasibility of industrial processes: (1) market potential, (2) finance, (3) site selection and characterization, and (4) process and facility design engineering. The results of the study indicated that such a facility was both technically and economically feasible if appropriate financing could be found. A preferred site meeting the geologic, technical, and environmental parameters for an efficient in situ gasification facility was selected in east Texas in Panola County, 5 miles west of Carthage, Texas. It was also discovered that the Carthage site was in the proximity of a number of oil reservoirs that were suitable for EOR by CO/sub 2/ flooding. The engineering and design analysis, which included an in situ field and a surface cleanup and purification facility, incorporated system design descriptions for nine major project systems: (1) underground coal gasification (by reverse combustion linkage), (2) underground coal gasification (by directional drilling), (3) air separation system, (4) sulfur recovery system, (5) CO-shift system, (6) acid gas removal system, (7) raw gas cooling and scrubbing system, (8) gas compression system, and (9) methanol synthesis system. Directional drilling was determined to be the optimal method for in situ gasification in the field. 23 figs., 15 tabs.

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Evaluation of control technology for modified in-situ oil-shale retorts

Experiments were conducted to evaluate two technologies to control groundwater pollution due to leaching of abandoned modified in-situ (MIS) retorts, retort grouting and international leaching. Retort grouting to reduce permeability was evaluated by measuring the permeability of grouts containing only raw or refined waste materials (Lurgi spent shale, fly ash, gypsum tailings, and lignosulfonate fluidizers). Permeability of the cured grouts decreased with increasing confining pressure. Electrical conductivity  measurements on the permeate produced during permeability measurements suggest that grouting abandoned MIS retorts would increase the TDS of leachate by a factor of approximately 3; benefit of the proposed grouting operation would depend upon the flow rate through retorts being reduced by a greater factor to reduce the total mass (concentration x flow) of solute released. Costs for international leaching depend primarily upon the volume of leachate to be treated. The required number of pore volumes of leaching to reduce leachate concentration to 10% of its initial value was found to be 2.1 at tract C-a and 3.4 at tract C-b; the difference is due primarily to the greater void volume used at tract C-a (40% compared to 23%). Both technologies would require a large amount of water. Retort grouting requires water to prewet the MIS spent shale and to prepare the grout. These requirements were estimated at 140 to 210 gal/bbl of oil, considering only oil recovered by in-situ retorting. International leaching requires water to saturate the MIS spent shale and to replace blowdown or rejected brine from the leachate treatment process. These requirements were estimated at approximately 120 gal/bbl of oil.

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Integral Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) Facility conceptual design report

The Basis for Design established the functional requirements and design criteria for an Integral Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) facility. The MRS Facility design, described in this report, is based on those requirements and includes all infrastructure, facilities, and equipment required to routinely receive, unload, prepare for storage, and store spent fuel (SF), high-level waste (HLW), and transuranic waste (TRU), and to decontaminate and return shipping casks received by both rail and truck. The facility is complete with all supporting facilities to make the MRS Facility a self-sufficient installation.

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Integral Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) Facility conceptual design report

This report presents a summary design description of the Conceptual Design for an Integral Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) Facility, as prepared by The Ralph M. Parsons Company under an A-E services contract with the Richland Operations Office of the Department of Energy. More detailed design requirements and design data are set forth in the Basis for Design and Design Report, bound under separate cover and available for reference by those desiring such information. The design data provided in this Design Report Executive Summary, the Basis for Design, and the Design Report include contributions by the Waste Technology Services Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation (WEC), which was responsible for the development of the waste receiving, packaging, and storage systems, and Golder Associates Incorporated (GAI), which supported the design development with program studies. The MRS Facility design requirements, which formed the basis for the design effort, were prepared by Pacific Northwest Laboratory for the US Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office, in the form of a Functional Design Criteria (FDC) document, Rev. 4, August 1985. 9 figs., 6 tabs.

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Energy from in-situ processing of Antrim oil shale. Quarterly technical progress report, January-March 1977. [Michigan]

The objective of this contract is to test the technical feasibility for the in situ processing of the Antrim oil shale within the Mississippian-Devonian black shale sequence of the Michigan Basin to produce energy values. The field investigations will involve well development, fracturing, underreaming, fracture assessment, in situ ignition, and extraction of hydrocarbons. Supporting contributions will be made by subcontractors in the areas of shale characterization, environmental measurement, fracture assessment, and public policy. This is the second quarterly report for the Antrim oil shale contract which began October 1, 1976. The Dow well site in Sanilac County, Michigan, has been reactivated, and dewatering of the existing wells is complete. Negotiations are complete with a number of Michigan institutions for the technical support functions. 6 figures, 4 tables.

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Validation and analysis of steady-state operating data from the Paraho semiworks retort. Volume 1. Final report

A major series of aboveground oil shale retorting experiments was conducted by Paraho Development, Inc., in its Semiworks and Pilot Plant retorts at Anvil Points, Colorado. The retorts contain a packed bed of 0.1- to 3.0-inch shale particles which slowly descends, driven by gravity and controlled by a moving retarder grate at the bottom. The bed is usually heated in direct mode by a combustion of upward-flowing recycle gas and air; however, indirect mode heating by preheated recycle gas is possible. During operations from 1974 through April 1976, Paraho conducted a privately funded experimental program to test its process. Operations during 1977 and 1978, under contract with the Office of Naval Research and the Department of Energy, produced additional research data as well as about 75,000 barrels of shale oil, for a project total of around 110,000 barrels. This production is one of the largest among US oil shale projects. JAYCOR has been funded by the Department of Energy to analyze this important body of data and to extract from it the maximum of useful information. One hundred seventy-six periods of steady-state operation (runs) were selected for study and subjected to automated analysis for internal and external consistency. A variety of techniques was developed to detect and correct data flaws. Each run was subjected to a set of quality criteria intended to maximize confidence in the subsequent correlations. One hundred thirty-six runs ultimately met these criteria, the remainder containing intractable multiple errors. This volume of our final report describes the results of data analysis and validation.

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Shale oil cracking. 1. Kinetics

Experiments were conducted to determine kinetics for thermal cracking of shale oil vapor over shale. Cracking temperatures of 504 to 610/sup 0/C and residence times of 2 to 11 seconds were used. A first-order Arrhenius rate expression and stoichiometry were obtained. Also observed were changes in the oil quality. Cracking decreased the H/C ratio, increased the nitrogen content, and decreased the pour point of the oil. Gas-phase oil cracking is contrasted to liquid-phase oil coking as a loss mechanism in oil-shale retorting.

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Biological treatment of underground coal gasification wastewaters

Biotreatability studies using underground coal gasification (UCG) wastewaters were performed by the University of Arizona and the University of Wyoming. The University of Arizona researchers found that UCG condensate could be effectively treated by activated sludge, using feed wastewaters of up to 50% strength. Total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals approached 90% during this research. The University of Wyoming researchers found that solvent extraction and hot-gas stripping were effective pretreatments for undiluted UCG condensate and that addition of powdered activated carbon enhanced the biotreatment process. TOC and COD removals resulting from the combination of pretreatments and biotreatment were 91% and 95%, respectively. The yield, decay, and substrate removal rate coefficients were greater in the University of Wyoming study than in the University of Arizona study. This was possibly caused by removing bioinhibitory substances, such as ammonia, with pretreatment. 18 refs., 25 figs., 6 tabs.

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Evaluation of treatment technologies for water reuse in coal gasification

This investigation assessed significant issues and conducted bench scale experiments pertinent to management and reuse of coal coking and coal gasification process wastewaters. For the case of high-BTU coal gasification processes, the cooling tower is the most likely target for reuse of process wastewater. Treatment studies were performed with high BTU pilot coal gasification process quench waters to evaluate enhanced organic removal via powdered activated carbon-activated sludge treatment, and to evaluate a coal gasification wastewater treatment train comprised of sequential processing via ammonia removal, biological oxidation, lime-soda softening, granular activated carbon adsorption and reverse osmosis. Biological oxidation of coal gasification wastewater showed excellent removal efficiencies at moderate loadings; addition of powdered activated carbon provided lower effluent COD and color. Gasification process wastewater treated through activated carbon adsorption appears suitable for reuse as cooling tower make-up water. Screening studies indicate that reverse osmosis is an attractive technique for reducing wastewater dissolved solids. Additional study is needed to determine quality constraints regarding acceptable wastewater organic loading in cooling tower make-up water, and to evaluate possible release of toxic/hazardous organics to the environment via cooling tower drift. Additional follow-up work to this study is in progress to evaluate solvent extraction of gasification process wastewaters to recover phenolics and to reduce priority organic pollutants.

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