Porous structure of residue (spent shale) from oil shale

Abstract

Four kinds of oil shale were heated below 1673 K under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the porous structures in the residues (spent shales) were examined by use of a mercury porosimeter. All spent shales consisted of considerably homogeneous porous structures. The maximum pore volumes, 0.25 to 0.33 ml g⁻¹, were obtained after heating to 1073 K, and the average pore radii ranged from 34 nm to 340 nm. Micropores are not included in view of their small BET surface areas. These results are discussed on the basis of X-ray diffraction, SEM observation, carbon content, and so on.