ASTM Kinetics of Oil Shales

Thermal analysis is increasingly being used to obtain kinetic data relating to sample decomposition. In this research differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to determine the combustion kinetics of three (Çan, Himmetoglu and Mengen) oil shale samples by ASTM and Roger & Morris methods. On DSC curves two reaction regions were observed on oil shale sample studied except Çan oil shale. In DSC experiments higher heating rates resulted in higher reaction temperatures and higher heat of reactions. Distinguishing peaks shifted to higher temperatures with an increase in heating rate. Three different kinetic models (ASTM I-II and Rogers & Morris) were used to determine the kinetic parameters of the oil shale samples studied. Activation energies were in the range of 131.8-185.3 kJ mol-1 for ASTM methods and 18.5-48.8 kJ mol-1 for Rogers & Morris method.