Enayat O. Pedram

ADSORPTION OF ORGANICS FROM A TRUE IN-SITU OIL SHALE RETORT WATER ON ACTIVATED CARBON IN PACKED BEDS

The adsorption of a true in-situ oil shale retort water on activated carbon at 278 and 298 K was studied in batch experiments and in packed beds with continuous liquid flow. The isotherms were nonlinear over the liquid concentration 0 to 875 mg/1. Breakthrough curves were obtained in packed bed experiments as a function of bed length, particle size, and liquid velocity. A differential approach was used to calculate the mass transfer coefficients and the rates of adsorption. Also the breakthrough curves were analyzed to establish the relative importance of the various individual mechanisms that contributed to the overall adsorption process.

KINETICS OF ADSORPTION OF ORGANICS FROM AN ABOVE GROUND OIL SHALE RETORT WATER

Activated carbon was used to remove organics from retort waters produced in an above ground oil shale retort. This work included batch equilibrium experiments and continuous packed bed studies. The equilibrium isotherms were nonlinear over the entire liquid concentration range (0 to 2880 mg/L). Break through curves were obtained in packed bed experiments as a function of bed length, particle size, and liquid velocity. Rates of adsorption and mass transfer coefficients were evaluated from the breakthrough curves.

ADSORPTION OF LIGHT HYDROCARBONS ON SPENT SHALE PRODUCED IN A COMBUSTION RETORT

Adsorption isotherms of ethane, propane, and n-butane on two different retorted oil shales were determined gravimetrically at 284.3, 293.7, and 303.2 K. The equilibrium data for these hydrocarbons were correlated with the Langmuir isotherm equation. The equilibrium adsorption data for all the hydrocarbons studied were also correlated by the modified Polanyi potential theory. A single generalized characteristic curve which correlates the equilibrium adsorption data for all three hydrocarbons was obtained by using the ratio of characteristic free energies.