Use of oil shale for control of sulfur dioxide emissions from the combustion of coal

Abstract Experimental results have been obtained which indicate that oil shale from the Mahogany ledge of the Green River formation (28 gal oil/ton) has short-term (⩽ 3 h) sulfation properties superior to those of 1337 dolomite and consequently could be used more effectively to control SO 2 emissions from the combustion of coal. In a gas mixture containing 0.27% SO 2 , the initial sulfation reaction rate at 750°C for the half-calcined shale is neary six times that for the half-calcined dolomite. After 3 h, all of the CaCO 3 in the half-calcined shale is sulfated, compared with only 37% in an equal amount of half-calcined dolomite. Although the results were obtained on spent shale (kerogen removed), they suggest that raw shale might be used for emission control in fluidized-bed combustors to derive an added benefit from the heat content of the shale.