Oil shale extraction process

摘要

Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from kerogen-containing oil shale by treating the oil shale with gaseous ammonia or a gaseous aliphatic amine prior to or during contact of the oil shale with an organic solvent. The hydrocarbon liquids thus extracted from the oil shale are then recovered from the solvent. The gaseous treatment step will normally take place at a temperature between about 500 DEG F. and about 800 DEG F. and at a pressure between about 200 psig and about 1000 psig. Preferably, the kerogen-containing oil shale will be treated with the ammonia or other gas prior to the extraction step.