Thermal conversion of oil-shale kerogen in the presence of carbon monoxide and water. [At 300 to 450/sup 0/C for 0. 25 to 6 hours]

Oil-shale kerogen conversion to gaseous and benzene--methanol soluble products using the carbon monoxide and water reaction were studied. The effect of temperature, heating time, pressure, presence or absence of mineral carbonates, shale particle size, shale grade, and amount of water were investigated as variables on kerogen conversion. It was found that higher conversions of kerogen at lower temperatures were obtained by using the CO--H/sub 2/O reaction than are obtained by dry thermal processes. 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 materials that cause problems with some retorting processes. Water-soluble minerals are removed from the shale residue during the reaction and these materials could be used as a valuable by-product.