Pressurized fluidized-bed hydroretorting of Eastern oil shales -- Sulfur control. Topical report for Subtask 3.1, In-bed sulfur capture tests; Subtask 3.2, Electrostatic desulfurization; Subtask 3.3, Microbial desulfurization and denitrification

Abstract

The removal of sulfur from oil shale prior to or during hydroretorting could significantly imprOve the overall efficiency of recovering oil from shale. Oil produced by retorting Eastern shales typically contains 1 to 2 weight percent sulfur. The sulfur must be removed by hydrotredting. Furthermore, the conversion of sulfur in shale to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during hydroretorting increases hydrogen consumption. Therefore, there are significant economic and environmental incentives for controlling the distribution of sulfur during shale processing. This topical report on "Sulfur Control" presents the results of work conducted by the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT), the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and the Ohio State University (OSU) to develop three novel approaches for desulfurization that have shown good potential with coal and could be cost-effective for oil shales. These are I) In-Bed Sulfur Capture using different sorbents (IGT), 2) Electrostatic Desulfurization (IIT), and 3) Microbial Desulfurization and Denitrification (OSU and IGT). Preface 32 S u In m a r y 32 Progl'am Objectives 34 ]n t roduct ion 34 : Literature Review 39 ]rlt roduct ion 39 Sulfur Distribution in Coal 40 Coal Benefic]at ion Methods 40 Dry Beneficiation Methods 45 Mechanical Methods 45 TABLE OF CONTENTS, Cont. pa_.