Results of Mathematical Modeling of Oil Shale Retorting in an Aboveground, External-Combustion, Moving-Bed Retort. Revision 1

摘要

Our one-dimensional mathematical model for simulating the chemical reactions and physical processes involved in oil shale retorting was applied to the indirect mode of operating an aboveground retort in which externally heated recycle gas provides the heat required for the retorting process. Countercurrent to the hot gas flow, a moving bed of shale is pushed upward through an expanding conical reactor, as in the Union B retort. The model was applied to a hypothetical set of commercial-scale conditions in order to identify key operating or design parameters. Variations in recycle-gas temperature and flow rate, shale flow rate, shale grade, water content, particle size distribution, bed porosity, uniformity of bed porosity, and retort dimensions were studied. The results of these calculations help identify the relative importance of the different process parameters in terms of oil yield, pressure drop, exit temperature of gas and shale, fuel consumed in heating the recycle gas, compressor power, condenser cooling load, and reactor size. 11 references, 9 figures, 4 tables. (ERA citation 10:022298)