Innovative Porous Organic Amine Catalyst Boosts the Oil Yield and Quality in the Oil Shale Conversion

Oil shale, an abundant unconventional resource, can be transformed into fossil fuels via pyrolysis, presenting a potential solution of energy shortages. This study explores the catalytic hydrothermal pyrolysis of oil shale using a novel organic porous amine catalyst, HCP-BBA, under subcritical water conditions. The study is focused on improving the efficiency and quality of shale oil extraction by overcoming the limitations of existing methods, such as high pyrolysis temperatures and extended heating time. The HCP-BBA catalyst, synthesized via a Friedel‒Crafts reaction, demonstrates excellent catalytic performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the introduction of HCP-BBA increases shale oil yield from 22.63 to 26.79%, shifts the product composition towards lower carbon numbers and lower boiling points, and increases the saturated hydrocarbon content by 13.1%, thereby enhancing the energy value of the shale oil. This study provides a promising approach for efficient and sustainable in situ oil shale conversion, proposing both theoretical and technical support for advanced extraction technologies.