Investigation of the Gas Flow Distribution and Pressure Drop in Xinjiang Oil Shale Retort

Abstract

Xinjiang oil shale retort is a new type of retorting device developed for exploiting Xinjiang oil shale according to the rock characteristics. Knowledge of the gas flow distribution in the retorting zone and the pressure drops across the retort is important to increase production rate and achieve the stable operation of the retort. In this paper, the structure and working principle of Xinjiang oil shale retort are introduced. The gas flow distribution in the retorting zone and the pressure drops across the retort system were investigated through a three-dimensional cold model of the retort. It was found that the distribution of vertical velocities of gas flow became more uniform with the increase of gas flow rate and bed depth. The optimal cold recycled gas amount is about 10% of the amount of hot recycled gas. In general, the results show that the gas flow distribution in the retorting zone is maldistribution, and the gas inlet structure should be modified. The empirical constants of the Ergun equation for the retort were determined, and the pressure drops across the retort were predicted and verified.

Numerical study of the flow, heat transfer and pyrolysis process in the gas full circulation oil shale retort

“…This also shows that about 8.99% of the reheated recycled gas flows into the center pillar and then into the top half part of the retorting stage through the orifices connecting the center pillar and the retorting stage, to enhance the heating efficiency in the center part of the retort. Previously, the authors of the present paper had investigated the gas flow distribution in the retorting stage through a 1:5 scale three-dimensional cold physical model of the gas full circulation retort and found the distribution of the reheated recycled gas flow in the retorting stage to be maldistribution [30,31]. The results of the mathematical model study obtained in this work were consistent with those of the physical model found by the authors earlier [30,31].…”

“…Previously, the authors of the present paper had investigated the gas flow distribution in the retorting stage through a 1:5 scale three-dimensional cold physical model of the gas full circulation retort and found the distribution of the reheated recycled gas flow in the retorting stage to be maldistribution [30,31]. The results of the mathematical model study obtained in this work were consistent with those of the physical model found by the authors earlier [30,31]. Then the pyrolysis reaction and the cold recycled gas flow were added in the mathematical model and the flow-thermo-pyrolysis process of the retorting process was investigated.…”

“…Based on the series of theoretical and simulation analyses performed by the authors previously [30,31] and in the current paper, 64 gas full circulation oil shale retorts have been constructed in the Shichanggou oil shale retorting plant in Jimsar oil shale mineralized belt, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. To validate the heat transfer process of the mathematical model in this paper, the real temperature of gases at the outlet pipe was measured in 16 retorts and the design temperature of spent shale at the bottom of the cooling stage was theoretically calculated according to the conservation of mass and energy, as shown in Table 2.…”

Gas distributor for ultra-large air blow-out bromine extraction plant

“…Pan et al [8] had systematically studied the performance of several gas distributors in terms of gas flow, gas distribution inhomogeneity M, liquid foam entrainment rates eL and distributor pressure drop ΔP. The performance comparison of various distributors is shown in Table 1.…”

Macro and Meso Characteristics of In-Situ Oil Shale Pyrolysis Using Superheated Steam

“…Liu et al [35] analyzed the evolution of pore structure of Fushun oil shale under pressure and temperature conditions and found that the lithostatic pressure would significantly inhibit the development of pores. Pan et al [36,37] reported that the mineral matters have an insignificant effect on the pyrolysis reactions of kerogen in Jimsar oil shale. Barshefsky et al [38] reported that the isolated kerogen of Russian oil shale was completely pyrolyzed at 420 • C, while the raw oil shale decomposition was only 65% complete.…”