| Shell Spher process | |
| Type: | chemical |
| Sector: | Chemical industry, oil industry |
| Feedstock: | oil shale |
| Product: | shale oil |
| Developer: | Shell Oil |
The Shell Spher process (Shell Pellet Heat Exchange Retorting) is an above ground fluidization bed retorting technology for shale oil extraction. It is classified as a hot recycled solids technology.[1] [2]
Raw oil shale is crushed to a fine particles. Heat is transferred to oil shale by heat-carrying ceramic balls of size 6mm8mm. Raw oil shale is preheated in fluidized bed at the temperature of 600sp=usNaNsp=us in the case if oxygen is used as fluidizing medium, or at 650sp=usNaNsp=us if non-oxidizing gases are used. Heated ceramic balls fall then through the bed in counter-current direction. The preheated oil shale is further heated in the retorting vessel. The retorted spent shale is cooled in a fast-fluidized bed by the recirculated cool pellets from the preheater; while cooling the spent shale ceramic balls are heated by the spent shale.[3]