Use of gaseous thermal medium in the thermal decomposition of oil shale

The thermal decomposition of oil shale was accomplished by the application of gaseous thermal mediums to the shale sample. The thermal medium was employed to supply the energy required to raise the shale to the decomposition temperature and to carry the evolved gaseous products to an oil recovery system. The process was studied extensively at atmospheric pressure. In addition the results of several similar runs performed at a pressure of 300 psig were included. The concentration of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide present in the evolved decomposition gases was correlated with the shale decomposition process. The initial occurrence and presence of these gases were shown to be in accordance with the mechanism of oil shale decomposition as presented by R.F. Cane.