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).
[ 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.][
The Kiviter technology has been used in Estonia since 1921, when first experimental Kiviter retorts were built.][
] The first commercial scale oil plant based on the Kiviter technology was built in 1924.Slantsy Slantsy (russian: Сланцы) is the name of several inhabited localities in Russia.
;Urban localities
*Slantsy, Leningrad Oblast, a town in Slantsevsky District of Leningrad Oblast; incorporated as Slantsevskoye Settlement Municipal FormationO ...
, Russia.[
][
][
]
Technology
The Kiviter process is classified as an internal combustion technology.[
] 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 to gasify and burn the residual carbon (char
Char may refer to:
People
*Char Fontane, American actress
*Char Margolis, American spiritualist
* René Char (1907–1988), French poet
*The Char family of Colombia:
** Fuad Char, Colombian senator
** Alejandro Char Chaljub, mayor of Barranquilla ...
). 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.[
]
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.[
]
Commercial use
The Kiviter process is used by the Estonian Viru Keemia Grupp
Viru Keemia Grupp (VKG) is an Estonian holding group of oil shale industry, power generation, and public utility companies.
History
After Estonia gained independence, the state owned oil shale enterprise, Riigi Põlevkivitööstus ( en, Eston ...
's subsidiary VKG Oil.[
] The company operates several Kiviter retorts, the largest of them having a processing capacity of 40 tonnes per hour of oil shale feedstock.[
]
See also
* Oil shale in Estonia
* Alberta Taciuk Process
* Petrosix
Petrosix is the world's largest surface oil shale pyrolysis retort with an diameter vertical shaft kiln, operational since 1992. It is located in São Mateus do Sul, Brazil, and it is owned and operated by the Brazil energy company Petrobras. Pet ...
* Galoter process
The Galoter process (also known as TSK, UTT, or SHC; its newest modifications are called Enefit and Petroter) is a shale oil extraction technology for a production of shale oil, a type of synthetic crude oil. In this process, the oil shale is d ...
* TOSCO II process
The TOSCO II process is an above ground retorting technology for shale oil extraction, which uses fine particles of oil shale that are heated in a rotating kiln. The particularity of this process is that it use hot ceramic balls for the heat tran ...
* Fushun process
* Paraho process
The Paraho process is an above ground retorting technology for shale oil extraction. The name "Paraho" is delivered from the words "''para homem''", which means in Portuguese "for mankind".
History
The Paraho process was invented by John B. Jones, ...
References
{{Reflist
Oil shale technology
Oil shale in Estonia