SNG from eastern oil shale via the HYTORT process

Work has shown that, if retorted in a hydrogen atmosphere at elevated pressures (via the HYTORT Process), eastern Devonian shales can be a potential source of synthetic gaseous or liquid fuels. Experimental work has been done in equipment ranging in size from a small laboratory thermobalannce to a large 1 ton/h process development unit. This work has shown that hydrogen retorting of these shales can give organic carbon recoveries from 2 to 2.5 times those that can be achieved by conventional retorting. This work, supported by process and economic studies, has confirmed the technical and economic feasibility of the HYTORT Process. 6 figures, 6 tables.