Oil shale extraction refers to the process in which kerogen, an immature form of hydrocarbon trapped in the oil shale, is converted into a usable hydrocarbon in form of a petroleum-like shale oil—a form of non-conventional oil—and combustible shale gas. It is a process wherein shale is heated in absence of oxygen, to a temperature at which kerogen is decomposed or pyrolysed into gas, condensable oil, and a solid residue. Decomposition begins at relatively low temperatures (300 °C (570 °F)), but proceeds more rapidly and more completely at higher temperature.[1]
There are hundreds of patents for oil shale retorting technologies.[2] However, only a few dozen have been tested in a pilot plant (with capacity 1 to 10 tonnes of oil shale per hour) and less than ten technologies have been tested at a demonstration scale (40 to 400 tonnes per hour). Currently, only five technologies are in commercial use, namely Kiviter, Galoter, Fushun, Petrosix, and Alberta Taciuk. Almost all commercial retorts currently in operation or in development stages are internal heating retorts.[3] Currently, shale oil extraction is being undertaken in Estonia, Brazil and China, while some other countries such as Australia, USA, Canada and Jordan have planned to start or restore shale oil production.[4][5](wikipedia)
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