Research investigations in oil shale, tar sand, coal research, advanced exploratory process technology, and advanced fuels research: Volume 1--base program

This report summarizes the major research investigations conducted by the Western Research Institute under Cooperative Agreement DE-FC21-86MC11076 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) over the period October 1986 through September 1993. In 1989 a Jointly Sponsored Research Program (JSRP) was incorporated into the agreement whereby some of the investigations were conducted as part of the Base Program and some were undertaken with cosponsorship from the commercial sector or other government agencies in the JSRP. This report is divided into two volumes: Volume I consists of 28 summaries that describe the principal research efforts conducted under the Base Program in five topic areas. Volume II describes tasks performed within the JSRP. Research conducted under this agreement has resulted in technology transfer of a variety of energy-related research information. A listing of related publications and presentations is given at the end of each research topic summary. More specific and detailed information is provided in the topical reports referenced in the related publications listings. Numerous studies have been conducted under Cooperative Agreement DE-FC21-86MC11076 since its initiation in October 1986. Program direction at that time was broken into five principal areas: oil shale, tar sand, underground coal gasification, advanced process technology, and advanced fuels research. In subsequent years, research emphasis changed in accordance with changes in the mission of DOE. As an example, underground coal gasification was broadened to be coal research, under which several research activities were conducted that related to coal processing.