Demonstration of Advanced Technology for Surface Processing of Oil Shale

National attentions have returned to developing fuels from our vast domestic oil shale resource. However, a typical 10,000 bbl/day oil shale plant would release about 3000-4000 tons per day of carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is unlikely that construction permits for commercial oil shale projects will be issued without further technology development to greatly reduce CO2 emissions. This project will demonstrate a new shale-oil-recovery process that will dramatically reduce CO2 emissions. The approach is based on advanced hydrogen kiln-firing technology and improved methods for shale oil separation and upgrading. In Phase I, a commercial kiln will be purchased and extensively remodeled. A series of firing tests with the remodeled kiln will be conducted using sand as the heated medium. Data from these tests will be analyzed and the new firing technology will be refined. In addition, equipment for separating and upgrading the shale oil produced by the advanced kiln will be designed. In Phase II, a pilot plant will be built and operated to demonstrate the technology. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: This new, simpler, high-capacity technology for the surface processing of oil shale has the potential to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions and provide for the on-site upgrading of shale oil to motor products.