Pyrolysis of the Moroccan (Tarfaya) oil shales under microwave irradiation

The pyrolysis studies of the Tarfaya (Morocco) oil shales were performed us ing an installation specially adapted to the pyrolysis of oil shale under m icrowave irradiation. The microwave cavity and the reactor were designed to assure a good transfe r of the microwave energy to the material and, to study the pyrolysis of th e oil shales. The results obtained revealed that this process can be effici ently used for the purpose. The formation of oil seems related to the dehyd ration of the shale and to the relaxation of pyrite and the products of the degradation of the kerogen. Ln addition, the obtained oil has interesting characteristics. It is more maltenic, less polar and contains less sulfur a nd nitrogen than the oils obtained by conventional pyrolysis. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.