GNZ management has a scheduled tour and demonstration of this process at Rifle Colorado so I thought I would post some background. Awhile back other posters posted information on the Paraho11 project. I believe Goldnev has narrowed down the technology to a retort system. Of course the bulk sample they will extract is still being sent to UMATAC (ATP method) in Calgary, which runs a 5 ton per hour pilot processor of oil shale for large scale tests.http://www.uma.aecom.com/MarketsAndServices/41/64/index.jsp
The Paraho process can be operated in two different combustion modes, which are direct and indirect. The Paraho Direct process is similar to the gas combustion retort technology, classified as an internal combustion method. Accordingly, the Paraho Direct retort is a vertical shaft retort similar to the Kiviter and Fushun retorts, used correspondingly in Estonia and China. However, compared to the earlier gas combustion retorts the Paraho retort's raw oil shale feeding mechanism, gas distributor, and discharge grate have different design. In the Paraho Direct process the crushed raw oil shale is fed into the top of the retort through a rotating distributor. The pyrolysis of oil shale takes a place in the upper part of the retort while descending as a moving bed. The pyrolysis is caused by rising combustion gases heated in the lower part of the retort.
Collecting tubes carries produced shale oil vapors and evolving gases into the product separation unit, where oil vapors are removed from gas and condensed. For combined removal of oil vapors and particulates a wet precipitator is used. Cleaned gases are delivered to cool the spent shale and after reheating are re-circulated to pyrolyze raw oil shale. For re-heating a combustion ofchar consisted in the retorted spent shale is used. The combusted takes a place in the burner in the bottom of the retort. After combustion, the spent shale delivers its heat to the re-circulated gas, which at the same time cools the spent shale. Cooled spent shale exits retort through the discharge grate in the bottom of the retort. After processing spent shale is disposed.
The Paraho Indirect technology is classified as an externally generated hot gas method. The retort's configuration is similar to the directly heated retort design except that process gas is burnt in a separate furnace and heat is carried to the retort by using circulation of heated gases. No combustion occurs in the Paraho Indirect retort itself.
The main advantage of the Paraho process is simplicity in process and design; it has few moving parts and therefore low construction and operating costs compared with more sophisticated technologies. The Paraho retort also consumes no water, which is especially important for oil shale extraction in areas with water scarcity.
In 1976–1978, under the contracts with the United States Navy, Paraho technology was used for production of 100,000 barrels of crude shale oil. It was tested for using as military transportation fuels. The Gary Western Refinery in Fruita Colorado, refined the Paraho shale oil for production of gasoline, jet fuels, diesel fuel marine, and heavy fuel oil. Paraho JP-4 aviation fuel was tested by the United States air Force in the T-39 jet aircraft flight, which took a place between the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and the Carswell Air force Base. In addition, the Paraho heavy fuel oil was used for fueling a Cleveland-Cliffs Iron ore carrier during its 7-day cruise on the Great Lakes on 13 June 1980. The Department of Energy awarded $4.4 million contract to build a modular demonstration shale oil plant near Vernal Utah.
There are many other methods out there but the Fushan process which is only used in China is still the largest in the world processing oil shale with a staggering 180 retorts each processing 4 tons of oil shale per hour (4x180= 720 tons/hour). It is however a massive unit, and Goldnev are seeking small on site units in several locations starting with one. The Pasquia Hills oil shale can be refined to diesel, kerosene and jet fuel. There are also other commercial uses of by product for the spent shale and ash.
The new PetroChina oil shale plant when completed is designed to process 1.2 million tons of oil shale per year and produce 100,000 tons of oil products
rich47
