Shale oil value enhancement research - Quarterly report: March 1 - May 31, 1996

The quarter's efforts were concentrated on (a) compound type analysis of shale oil and its extraction products, (b) thermal hydrodealkylation of the >290 °C polar fraction, (c) reaction of pyridinic type compounds to form secondary products, (d) updating SPX economic analysis, and (e) preparation of a business plan for presentation before the Dawnbreaker Commercial Assistance Program. The subcontract on the thermal hydrodealkylation work at the University of Utah ended at May 31, 1996. We have obtained valuable information from the batch experiments. The progress on the flow reactor proved somewhat limited because of the restriction of the existing reactor configuration. The THDA work is continuing at JWBA with a smaller scale operation. The liaison with potential industrial partners is continuing. An additional company has reached agreement to proceed with agrochemical testing of shale oil derived products. The other important progress is that we have been invited to participate as a finalist in Commercial Opportunity Forum of the Dawnbreaker Commercialization Assistance Program. We qualified for their program because the initial thrust for value-added products (tar sands bitumen) research originated in the SBIR program. During this quarter, we have received supporting documents from three possible shale oil producers (who are also potential investors) in supporting the shale oil development plan. This support strengthens the business development plan and makes the commercialization more feasible. Overall, the project is on schedule and on budget.