Interaction of Microwave Energy with Fuel Precursors

Abstract

Synthetic fuel and fuel gas have been produced by microwave interaction with fuel precursors, particularly oil shale and Colorado coal. Preliminary results with lignite, tar sands, and viscous crudes also show promise. The derived products have been analyzed using a microcoulometric system and important differences in oil flow properties and gas composition are discussed. The objectives of the study, presented in this paper, were designed to provide accurate and precise data on the nitrogen, sulfur, carbon, hydrogen, and on the water, gases, and oil, both from microwave retorting procedures and on parallel Fischer assay tests. The microwave equipment used in this study consisted of a modified commercial microwave oven, together with a specially designed, stainless steel, high temperature and pressure retort.