The development of an integrated multistage fluid bed retorting process. Quarterly report, January 1994--March 1994

This report summarizes the progress made on the development of an integrated multistage fluidized bed retorting process (KENTORT II) during the period of January 1, 1994 through March 31, 1994 under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC21-90MC27286 with the Morgantown Energy Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy. The KENTORT II process includes integral fluidized bed zones for pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion of the oil shale. The purpose of this program is to design and test the KENTORT II process at the 50-lb/hr scale. Modifications to the system were completed that improved the start-up burner system and reduced thermal losses. Final shakedown tests were performed that demonstrated gasification zone and combustion zone temperatures of 800 and 900{degrees}C, respectively, at a raw shale feed rate of 50 lb/hr. Ash agglomeration and slagging was encountered during some of these tests, and these materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. By limiting the combustion plenum chamber to 1100{degrees}C during heat up and by maintaining sufficient solid recycle to the combustor, it is believed that ash agglomeration difficulties will be eliminated.