Demonstration of Advanced Technology for Surface Processing of Oil Shale

U.S. and world petroleum supplies are limited, causing substantial increases and fluctuations in the cost of liquid fuels and national energy insecurity. If the vast western oil shale reserves could be economically and cleanly recovered, the country¿s transportation fuel problems would be alleviated. Earlier shale surface processes used complicated and costly equipment, released substantial CO2, had high water use, and produced oil that required upgrading. This project will develop a new surface process technology that is simple and clean, and can be commercialized in a shorter time. Phase I yielded a unique surface process with high processing capacity, on-site oil upgrading, and near-zero carbon dioxide emissions. Lower costs resulted from process simplicity, the use of nearby low-cost natural fuels for process energy, the use of hydrogen for upgrading, and very low water use. Phase II plans include (1) a full pilot-scale demonstration, including shale oil recovery and separation units; (2) a demonstration of technology for upgrading shale oil to transportation fuels; and (3) planning and design for scale-up to a commercial-scale kiln, including the identification of commercialization paths. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should lead to the commercial production of on-site shale oil, with low water use and near-zero CO2 emissions, for the domestic production of transportation fuels. Plans to process 1000 tpd shale fines, in order to enhance a commercial 6000 tpd shale plant in eastern Utah, are currently being evaluated by a major international oil company