Analyzing oil shale retort off-gas for carbon dioxide to determine the combustion zone temperature

摘要

An in situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of particles comprising kerogen and various inorganic carbonates. A processing zone is established in the fragmented mass of formation particles and advanced therethrough. Off-gas, including carbon dioxide from carbonate decomposition, is withdrawn from the retort. The carbon dioxide content of the withdrawn off-gas, being a function of the processing zone temperature, is then determined. The determined carbon dioxide content of the withdrawn off- gas is then compared to values of carbon dioxide content of off-gas predicted as a function of processing zone temperature.