Batch retorting of oil shale from Thailand.

Retorting of oil shales from Thailand and Colorado was studied using a 10 kg-charge batch retorting system in the presence of nitrogen, hydrogen and air as the carrier gas. The shale oils and gases produced from the respective oil shales were analysed and their properties were compared.The oil yield from Thailand oil shale was twice as much as that from Colorado oil shales. Thailand shale oil had a higher pour point and its gas by-product had a higher calorific value compared with those of Colorado's. The process of decomposition seemed to be slightly different for the two kinds of oil shales judging from their gas compositions. The effect of a carrier gas on the properties of shale oil was slight in this series of experiments. Approximate mineral composition of the spent shale from Thailand oil shale was mentioned.