Influence of technological parameters of the Volga oil shale on the efficiency of heat release during combustion

Abstract

Volga oil shale in the Middle Volga region is a promising energy raw material for regional factories. Their heat of combustion varies from 1.6 to 9.0 MJ/kg, averaging 4.2-4.5 MJ/kg. The low calorific value of the fuel can be compensated by the proximity of the consumption sources and the cheapness of supplies. Oil shale is a high-ash energy feedstock with high sulfur content. The share of the organic component (kerogen) is 15-25%. During the combustion of oil shale, kerogen undergoes a multistage transformation due to the reactions of organic molecules hydrogenization. Experimental modeling has shown that the heat of combustion of the Volga oil shale is determined not only by their composition, but also by the organization of the combustion process. When burning lump shale, the heat release from rocks is 15-20% less than similar fuel in the form of fine dust. When using the technology of coal-water combustion (in the form of suspensions), the heat release of rocks is reduced in comparison with the combustion of dry finely dispersed oil shale by 10%. Although it remains higher, compared to the heat release during combustion of lump oil shale using boiling bed technology.