Simulation of Oil Generation from Oil Shale Resources

Oil shale is a type of unconventional hydrocarbon resources with a capability of oil production by practical thermal process called retorting. Mechanism and kinetic study of reactions occur in this process can provide the possibility of theoretical reconstruction of it and furthermore, the simulation of retorting process. Parallel, irreversible, first order reactions are the well-known type which used to modeling the reactions. Mentioned model are simulated with Simulink® (MathWorks® Inc.). By considering the appropriate values and conditions, the consumption of reactants and generation of products are studied with time and temperature. Reducing the temperature of reactions by reducing the heating rate is clearly observed in the results of simulation. Also, the effect of intermediates is apperceived well. Eventually, the study of the in-situ retorting as a simple process is shown the modus of the consumption of reactants with time and also, the importance of intermediates more than ever.