Thermal conversion of oil-shale kerogen using CO and water at elevated pressures

Conversion of oil-shale kerogen to soluble products at elevated pressures using the carbon monoxide and water reaction was studied. Temperature, heating time, pressure, presence or absence of mineral carbonates, shale particle size, shale grade, presence of organic solvents and amount of water were investigated as variables affecting kerogen conversion. Higher conversions of kerogen at low temperatures were obtained by using the CO-H/sub 2/O reaction and CO-H/sub 2/O-solvent reaction than by dry thermal processes. The soluble degradation products from the kerogen have elemental compositions similar to shale oils and would be suitable materials for hydrocracking and refining feedstocks. Other advantages of the CO-H/sub 2/O reaction are good conversion of extremely rich oil shales and good conversion of finely ground oil shale--two types of shale that cause problems with some retorting processes. Water-soluble minerals are removed from the shale residue during the reaction. These minerals could be easily removed and recovered as a valuable byproduct with a significant environmental advantage.