Shale oil value enhancement research - Quarterly report: September 1, - November 30, 1994

The focus of the phase-l research effort is now on exploratory level verification of the candidate process schemes. We are quite confident of the basic strategy, namely, division of the barrel by polarity and separate processing of the polar and non-polar streams. Processing of the non-polar stream must necessarily focus on the high value products found in the +400 °C fraction. We expect that waxes will meet high quality paraffin-wax specifications (partly because of the high initial boiling point) but the lube oil quality is not yet known. Verification of the polars processing scheme is aimed at determining the balance between broad-range concentrates and pure compounds. We have identified buyers for both types of streams but it is not yet clear how much value-addition is economically desirable. In the early stages of this work, we showed that there is an optimum level of processing and that over-processing might actually reduce the IRR (Reference: Bunger, et al 25th Annual Shale Oil Symposium at CSM, 1992). We are proceeding with the pilot plant developments in areas where we are confident of the process steps, eg. distillation and liquid-liquid extraction while completing the verification work before deciding what to do about piloting HDA, catalytic hydrotreating and liquid-solid adsorption. The loss of equipment capabilities at the University of Utah may make it more expedient for us to pilot these processes in-house. The availability of the new WISER coal liquefaction equipment at the University of Utah for use in HDA experiments is being given careful consideration. The principal investigator traveled to company A to help coordinate with their screening efforts. This international company is conducting a complete screening of shale oil fractions for activity as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Initial results will be available within the next 2-3 months. We are expecting to extend our agreement with Company A to include pharmaceutical testing as well. This type of testing should yield information on both biological activity and toxicology. During the next quarter, additional samples will be sent for testing.