Kiviter process
Process typeChemical
Industrial sector(s)Chemical industry
oil industry
Feedstockoil shale
Product(s)shale oil
Leading companiesVKG Oil
Kiviõli Keemiatööstus
Developer(s)VKG Oil

The Kiviter process is an above ground retorting technology for shale oil extraction.

History

The Kiviter process is based on the earlier vertical retort technology (Pintsch's generator).[1] This technology underwent a long process of development. The early concept of central inlet of the heat carrier was later replaced by a concept of heat carrier gas cross flow in the retort.[2]

The Kiviter technology has been used in Estonia since 1921, when first experimental Kiviter retorts were built.[1] The first commercial scale oil plant based on the Kiviter technology was built in 1924.[3]

From 1955 to 2003, Kiviter technology was used for oil shale processing also in Slantsy, Russia.[4][5][6]

Technology

The Kiviter process is classified as an internal combustion technology.[7] The Kiviter retort is a vertical cylindrical vessel that heats coarse oil shale with recycled gases, steam, and air.[8] To supply heat, gases (including produced oil shale gas) and carbonaceous spent residue are burnt within the retort. Raw oil shale is fed into the top of the retort, and is heated by the rising gases, which pass laterally through the descending oil shale causing decomposition of the rock. Pyrolysis is completed in the lower section of the retort, where the spent shale contacted with more hot gas, steam and air is heated to about 900 °C (1,650 °F) to gasify and burn the residual carbon (char). Shale oil vapors and evolving gases are delivered to a condensing system, where condensed shale oil is collected, while non-condensable gases are fed back to the retort. Recycled gas enters the bottom of the retort and cools the spent shale, which then leaves the retort through a water-sealed discharge system.[2]

The Kiviter process uses large amounts of water, which is polluted during processing, and the solid waste residue contains water-soluble toxic substances that leach into the surrounding area.[9][10]

Commercial use

The Kiviter process is used by the Estonian Viru Keemia Grupp's subsidiary VKG Oil.[8][11] The company operates several Kiviter retorts, the largest of them having a processing capacity of 40 tonnes per hour of oil shale feedstock.[2][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Väli, E.; Valgma, I.; Reinsalu, E. (2008). "Usage of Estonian oil shale" (PDF). Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal. Estonian Academy Publishers. 25 (2): 101–114. doi:10.3176/oil.2008.2S.02. ISSN 0208-189X. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  2. ^ a b c Koel, Mihkel (1999). "Estonian oil shale". Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal. Estonian Academy Publishers (Extra). ISSN 0208-189X. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  3. ^ Kattai, V.; Lokk, U. (1998-02-17). "Historical review of the kukersite". Geological Survey of Estonia. Archived from the original on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  4. ^ Uustalu, Jaan (2000). "Utilization of semi-coke for energy production". In Rofer, Cheryl K.; Kaasik, Tõnis (eds.). Turning a Problem Into a Resource: Remediation and Waste Management at the Sillamae Site, Estonia. Axel Springer AG. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-7923-6186-2. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  5. ^ Survey of energy resources (PDF) (edition 21 ed.). World Energy Council (WEC). 2007. pp. 93–115. ISBN 978-0-946121-26-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  6. ^ Leveinen, Jussi; Aneshkin, Boris; Blanchard, Francois; Staudt, Michael; Van den Dool, Gijs; Sapon, Svetlana; Kruglova, Olga (16–20 September 2007). Modelling impacts of oil-shale mining on groundwater resources in the Slantsy region, Russia. 15th Meeting of the Association of European Geological Societies. Tallinn, Estonia. Archived from the original (PPT) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  7. ^ Burnham, Alan K.; McConaghy, James R. (2006-10-16). "Comparison of the acceptability of various oil shale processes" (PDF). Golden: 26th Oil shale symposium. UCRL-CONF-226717. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-13. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  8. ^ a b Jaber, Jamel O.; Sladek, Thomas A.; Mernitz, Scott; Tarawneh, T. M. (2008). "Future Policies and Strategies for Oil Shale Development in Jordan" (PDF). Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. 2 (1): 31–44. ISSN 1995-6665. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  9. ^ Mölder, Leevi (2004). "Estonian Oil Shale Retorting Industry at a Crossroads" (PDF). Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal. Estonian Academy Publishers. 21 (2): 97–98. doi:10.3176/oil.2004.2.01. ISSN 0208-189X. S2CID 252707682. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  10. ^ Soone, Jüri; Riisalu, Hella; Kekisheva, Ljudmilla; Doilov, Svjatoslav (2006-11-07). Environmentally sustainable use of energy and chemical potential of oil shale (PDF). International Oil Shale Conference. Amman, Jordan: Jordanian Natural Resources Authority. pp. 2–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  11. ^ "Strategic significance of America's oil shale resource. Volume II: Oil shale resources, technology and economics" (PDF). Office of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Petroleum Reserves; Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; United States Department of Energy. 2004. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  12. ^ "An Assessment of Oil Shale Technologies" (PDF). June 1980. NTIS order #PB80-210115. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
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