Process simulation and experimental of Huadian oil shale pyrolysis by electric heating retort at different heating rates

The pyrolysis of Huadian oil shale was simulated and tested experimentally using the self-made fixed retort under Nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature distribution and the heat propagation from the electric heater were studied using computer Software (ANSYS) and all simulation and experiment were run at four different heating rates (2, 5, 20 and 50°C/min).The controlling parameters studied were the final pyrolysis temperature, the influence of the heating rate to the weight loss, the yield of pyrolysis product (oil, gas and water) and the flux propagation of heat in retort. Electric heating retort was developed and the results were compared to the conventional pyrolysis model (process) existing for validation of the model. It was found that increasing the heating rate resulted in increasing the oil and gas yield but the ratio of oil/gas varied with heating rates. In all different heating rates, increasing temperature increased the yield of shale oil until the pyrolysis product slowly decreased. The pyrolysis temperature ranged between 480°C and 520°C for all heating rates. The heating rates (2 and 5°C/m) resulted in higher gas yield production and low oil yield. The simulation model developed in this study successfully predicts experimental results for pyrolysis of Huadian oil shale. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of pyrolysis process of Huadian oil shale contains three steps: of which the second step of weight loss is the main step, attributed to the decomposition of bitumen. The comparison results data prove that our retort is able to pyrolyse the oil shale just like conventional pyrolysis reactors conditions. © 2015 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.