Process design and optimization on upgrading and utilization of ultra-high-quality oil shale by pyrolysis

Abstract

Nantun (NT) oil shale of ultra-high oil yield (>30 %) is rare in the world, while the utilization of this kind of oil shale is not widely reported. A fixed-bed furnace pyrolysis experiment was carried out on an ultra-high-grade oil shale from Nantun (NT), Shandong Province, China, and its pyrolysis products yields and compositions were analyzed. A self-sustaining upgrading process is proposed to utilize this oil shale, and the process is simulated by Aspen Plus. The impact of the operational parameters of the system on the process and self-sustaining conditions of the process were estimated. The simulation reveals that the oil burning ratio have a significant impact on the system’s flexibility, production of oil and char, and energy self-sustainment. The recommended pyrolysis temperature of the process is 500 °C, with a char yield of 61 % and an oil yield of 29 %.