The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1921-03-29


chine has been constructed with
which extremely encouraging results
have been obtained. This machine
was designed and built at the uni
versity from original specifications
and, so far as tests have shown,
combines comparative cheapness Of
reconstruction and simplicity of de-
sign, and operation with efficient re-
covery Of products sought.
Most of the tests have been made
on shales from the eastern part of
the state, and although the oil con-
tent of the various shales is bound
to vary somewhat, these tests indi-
cate that good, unweathered shale
should produce at least half bar
rel Of oil to the ton, and in many
cases much more, even probably up
to barrel Of crude to Ton of shale
in some sections.
In addition, by the use of super
heated steam an appreciate amount
of nitrogen in the shale should be
converted into ammonia and this in
turn to ammonium sulfate, which is
an excellent fertilizer. Claims have
been made of from thirty to forty
pounds of this material per ton Of
shale, and there seems to be no rea-
son why amounts in that neighbor-
hood should not be realized. There
are, moreover, considerable amounts
of potash in most of the shales, part
Of which will doubtless be recover
able as water soluble potash, an
other much needed fertilizer.
As previously stated, the destruc-
tive ,distillation of oil shales yields
gasses, part Of which can be con-
densed to form crude oil and part Of
which are non condensable, but
form an excellent fuel. The addi-
ton of superheated steam, through
it's action with the fixed carbon on
the shale, will increase materially
this fuel gas and, if Scottish prac-
tice is any criterion, enough gas fuel
will be made to supply all of the
needs of a retiring plant. In other
words, an oil shale plant will be
practically Independent of any ex-
traneous fuel supply. ~
The above enumerated products Of
destructive distillation of oil shale-
crude oil, ammonium sulfate, potash
and fuel gas-are the major mate
rails to be figured on, but there are
many by-product possibilities to be
considered which may well add more
profit to the undertaking.
Tests show that the crude oil will
fractionate into about 25 per cent
gasoline, so per cent kerosene, burn
ing oils, gas oils, etc.r and 25 per
cent paraffines and tars will yield
paraffine wax and doubtless many
of the coal tar products such as
dyes, though experiments have not
progressed that far as yet. The spent
shale-that is, the shale after it has
passed through the process-may
well be used, with the proper mixing
and under proper conditions, as the
raw materials for cement, vitreous
brick, road material and for similar
purposes. In fact the possibilities
and room for research are practical
ly limitless.
What, then, will all of this cost?
That is question that is very diff
cult to answer at the present time,
but with large plant, cheap steam
shovel methods of mining and the
proper system of retorting, the cost
should not run to much over a dol
La to dollar and a quarter per |
ton of shale retorted, and the cost |
might possibly fall below this esti-
mate.
If refinery is operated in con-
nection with the retorting plant, as
il should be, the cost of refining
should be about the same as it is