Analysis of Retorted Water Produced from Partial Combustion of Sultani Oil Shale

Abstract

Oil shale samples from Sultani oil shale mine, south of Jordan, were pyrolyzed by a partial combustion to generate shale oil. The produced water was sent for analysis. The different samples were analyzed for carbon content, and results showed that the TOC was 2010 mg per liter of retorted water. Phenol and arsenic contents were measured and found to be 64 mg and 0.18 mg per liter respectively. Phosphate and sulfate were also determined and found to be 35.7 and 5022 mg per liter. On the other hand, ammonium was also found to be 2831 mg per liter. Several elements were traced and reported in the present work, in which arsenic, chrome and nickel are the most important, and the retorted water was found to contain 0.18, 0.7 and 0.5 mg per liter.