Quality Control of Oil Shale Production in Estonian Mines

Abstract

The basic parameters of oil shale quality are heating value and grain-size composition. Heating value can vary considerably within the location in a deposit and depends on concretions and limestone content. Grain-size distribution and heating value depend directly on mining technology: breakage, transporting and processing. Energy distribution when using different technologies was determined. New boilers of oil shale power plants and oil retorts require a relatively constant quality of raw materials and fuel. The possibility of improving oil shale separation was investigated.

Discrimination of moist oil shale and limestone using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

“…The basic quality parameter of the oil shale as mined is its heating value, which has a strong correlation with the content of organic matter, kerogen [13]. The excavated so called mountain massive contains in addition to the oil shale a certain amount of limestone-rich interlayers and water up to 14% [11].…”

Technologies for Decreasing Mining Losses

“…The possibility of using fine oil shale that is flushed away by the HMS (Heavy Media Separation) process could increase energy of used oil shale and avoid the need for settling ponds or filter presses [38]. The main idea could be the separation of fine oil shale from fine clay and limestone particles.…”

Pilot Unit for Mining Waste Reduction Methods

“…2.). In order to get the best results, it is necessary to observe the enrichment productivity and quality [22,26] of each enriched layer to choose the right working mode during the enrichment process. The most precise stratification requires the amplitude and frequency of water pulsation to be optimized according to the sample characteristics.…”