Pyrolysis and gasification kinetics of Jordanian oil-shales

Two Jordanian oil-shale samples have been pyrolysed and gasified, non-isoth ermally, using a thermogravimetric analyser. The controlling parameters stu died were the final temperature and influence of particle size as well as t he heating rate employed during the process of thermal degradation of the o il-shale sample. The integral method was used in the analysis of weight-los s data to determine the pyrolysis and gasification kinetics. Within experim ental error, a slightly greater weight loss occurred during the devolitliza tion phase when carbon dioxide was used instead of nitrogen to purge the sy stem. The magnitude of the weight loss was dependent on the final temperatu re, as well as, to a lesser extent, on the heating rate employed. Increasin g the latter resulted in the reaction ensuing at higher temperatures. Gasif ication and pyrolysis of the investigated shales complied with first-order kinetics: the activation energy and temperature at which the maximum reacti vity rate occurred decreased slightly as the shale-particle size was reduce d. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.