Control of Sulfur Emissions from Oil Shale Retorting Using Spent Shale Absorption

摘要

The report describes an investigation of the environmental advantages/disadvantages of absorbing SO2 onto combusted retorted oil shale. The objective of the program was to obtain more information in support of Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting decisions on sulfur control and to determine if the emission of other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and trace elements is significantly increased by the combustion process. The program consists of two phases: Phase I developed an engineering assessment and costs for application of this sulfur absorption process to selected leading retorting processes, and Phase II was experimental work in an integrated oil shale pilot plant to define operability, proof of principle, and trace element emissions. Based on the pilot plant data obtained in this study, fluid bed operating conditions are recommended to optimize SO2 and NOx control. In general, conditions that favor low SO2 emissions also favor low CO and trace hydrocarbon emissions, but do not favor low NOx emissions.