Experimental Study on Solvent Extraction of Quseir Oil Shale in Egypt

Abstract

In the present work, the effect of solvent on the extraction of the organic matter from Quseir's oil shales was studied. The experimental results revealed that the extraction yield obtained by the tetrahydrofuran was very high compared to other solvents. In addition, the solvent had a significant effect on the yield and the composition of the obtained oil. The analysis carried out on the extracted oil showed that the tetrahydrofuran was a very efficient solvent for oil shale extraction, giving a better quality of the oils extracted containing a large proportion of aromatics compounds and fewer amounts of sulphur and paraffin compounds.

Structural characterization of shale oil obtained by Soxhlet extraction

“…The mixes THF–toluene and THF–acetone achieved high extractions (12.9–13.2%) and this may reflect the high extraction ability of THF even in the presence of other solvents. The reported results were in agreement with published research work . Abu Al‐Alla and Naseef studied the effect of heat treatment on the extraction of organic matter by different solvents and the results confirmed the suitability of methanol over slightly polar solvents like toluene and n ‐heptane .…”

“…In this advanced procedure, oil shale is gradually heated underground and the collected oil is directly extracted from the site just like pumping crude oil . Besides retorting, solvent extraction of organic matter from oil shale was reported . Production of shale oil as a substituent for crude oil is an active research area and has received important attention in the last few years .…”

“…On the other hand, solvent extraction by the Soxhlet apparatus and supercritical‐fluid extraction were both previously tested . Solvation of organic matter by organic solvents is a multistep process where the extent of solvation depends on the type of solvent, extraction temperature, extraction time, and particle size of oil shale .…”

“…21 Besides retorting, solvent extraction of organic matter from oil shale was reported. 7,23,26 Production of shale oil as a substituent for crude oil is an active research area and has received important attention in the last few years. 7,27 Although thermal retorting is the most efficient method to extract organic matter, it has two main drawbacks: (a) high emission of N and S gases and (b) large consumption of water.…”

“…14 On the other hand, solvent extraction by the Soxhlet apparatus and supercritical-fluid extraction were both previously tested. 4,5,[7][8][9]14,[23][24][25][26] Solvation of organic matter by organic solvents is a multistep process where the extent of solvation depends on the type of solvent, extraction temperature, extraction time, and particle size of oil shale. 8,9 Alnawafleh et al 4,5,7 applied Soxhlet extraction using different organic solvents to extract organic matter from oil shale.…”