Control of sulfur emissions from oil shale retorting using spend shale absorption

摘要

AbstractA detailed engineering evaluation of the potential for using an absorption on spent shale process (ASSP) for controlling sulfur emission from oil shale plants was completed. The evaluation analyzes the potential effectiveness and cost of absorbing SO2on combusted spent shale in either a fluidized bed combustor (FBC) or a fluidized transport system (lift pipe) for three retorting processes: Lurgi (lift pipe), Union C (FBC), Modified In Situ (FBC).Conceptual designs were completed for the three retorting processes and the costs of removing SO2by the ASSP approach were compared to the costs of removing either H2S (including other sulfur species such as mercaptans and thiophenes) or SO2by the leading conventional sulfur removal processes. A number of significant process variables were identified and evaluated in the study. The study was performed under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.