Global InformationShell Spher process information
| Process type | chemical |
|---|---|
| Industrial sector(s) | Chemical industry, oil industry |
| Feedstock | oil shale |
| Product(s) | shale oil |
| Developer(s) | Shell Oil |
The Shell Spher process (Shell Pellet Heat Exchange Retorting) is an above ground fluidization bed retorting technology for shale oil extraction. It is classified as a hot recycled solids technology.[1][2]
Raw oil shale is crushed to a fine particles. Heat is transferred to oil shale by heat-carrying ceramic balls of size 6 to 8 millimetres (0.24 to 0.31 in). Raw oil shale is preheated in fluidized bed at the temperature of 600 °F (320 °C) in the case if oxygen is used as fluidizing medium, or at 650 °F (340 °C) if non-oxidizing gases are used. Heated ceramic balls fall then through the bed in counter-current direction. The preheated oil shale is further heated in the retorting vessel. The retorted spent shale is cooled in a fast-fluidized bed by the recirculated cool pellets from the preheater; while cooling the spent shale ceramic balls are heated by the spent shale.[3]
- ^ Burnham, Alan K.; McConaghy, James R. (2006-10-16). Comparison of the acceptability of various oil shale processes (PDF). 26th Oil shale symposium. Golden, Colorado: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. UCRL-CONF-226717. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
- ^ Speight, James G. (2008). Synthetic Fuels Handbook: Properties, Process, and Performance. McGraw-Hill. pp. 182, 186. ISBN 978-0-07-149023-8. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Gwyn, J.E.; Roberts, S.C.; Hardesty, D.E.; Johnson, G.L.; Hinds, G.P. Jr. (August 1980). Shell Pellet Heat Exchange Retorting: The SPHER Energy-Efficient Process for Retorting Oil Shale (PDF). Symposium on oil shale, tar sands and related materials. San Francisco: American Chemical Society. pp. 59–69. Retrieved 2010-02-13.