Upgrading of Egyptian Oil Shale Using Enhanced Gravity Separation

Abstract

Egyptian oil shale from Wadii El-Nakhil, Red sea region was upgraded using enhanced gravity separation. The oil shale sample was characterized physically and chemically to determine its mineral content and characteristics. The sample includes quartz, siderite, apatite, anhydrite and calcite. The clay mineral is mainly represented by kaolinite while the organic matter is 30%. The ground sample (less than 50 microns) was classified into two fractions. The coarser was higher than 25 µm while the finer was less than 25 µm. The lower and upper levels of both the centrifugal force and water pressure have been suggested to construct the design for Falcon Concentrator type SB-40. The coarse concentrate of 42% kerogen with 94.35% recovery was achieved at 60 Hz (equivalent to G-force 176) and water pressure of 4 Psi from feed of 29% kerogen. The fine concentrate of 38.46% kerogen with 85.4% recovery was achieved at 70 Hz (equivalent to G-force 243) and water pressure of 2 Psi from feed of 33% kerogen.