A comparison of the structure and reactivity of five Jordanian oil shales from different locations

The structure and reactivity of a low-sulfur lacustrine oil shale (Colorado U.S.A.) compared with those of a high-sulfur marine oil shale (Julia Creek, Queensland, Australia)

“…As the temperature was increased, the Colorado conversions rose much more rapidly than those of Julia Creek, and at 425°C were considerably higher in N 2 and roughly equivalent in H 2 . The distinctly higher atomic H/C ratio of the Colorado oil shale did not lead to a higher reactivity over the whole temperature range; a similar lack of dependence of reactivity on atomic H/C ratio has been previously noted for some Jordanian oil shales [27]. The Fischer assay oil yield obtained for a number of Colorado Mahogany Zone oil shales was about 66 wt.% dmmf [43], much higher than the oil yield of Colorado oil shale under N 2 at temperatures up to 425°C.…”

“…However, for Julia Creek the TGA volatiles yield (66 wt.% dmmf) was much higher than the 40 wt.% dmmf predicted from the Fischer assay oil yield [32]. As previously noted [27], the loss of weight in 550-950°C has been correlated with the CO 2 from the carbonate present, but the correlation is imperfect; in particular, the loss of weight in this temperature range from Julia Creek oil shale was less than would have been predicted from the inorganic carbon content (Table 1). Since the weight loss in 120-550°C was greater than predicted by Fischer assay, it is possible that some of the carbonate decomposed below 550°C.…”

“…Solid state 13 C NMR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out as described by Amer et al [27]. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra were obtained for the raw oil shales using a Philips PW1140 diffractometer with a monochromatic Cu Kα radiation source (λ = 1.5406 Å) operated at 40 kV and 30 mA, scanned over the 2θ range from 0°to 100°at 1°/min rate and 0.02°intervals.…”

“…Representative samples of oil shales were impregnated with Cu, Fe, Ni, Co and Mo (0.5 mol/kg dry basis (db) oil shale), and Ni/Mo and Co/Mo (0.195 mol/kg db of Ni or Co and 0.5 mol/kg db of Mo) from suitable aqueous solutions, as described by Amer et al [27]. This method of impregnation gives excellent dispersion of the catalyst, which is deposited as very fine particles.…”

“…The reaction procedure and product workup have been described in detail by Amer et al [27,30]. Asphaltene was defined as the fraction soluble in CH 2 Cl 2 and insoluble in hexane and asphaltol as the fraction soluble in THF and insoluble in CH 2 Cl 2 .…”