GASIFICATION OF OIL SHALES BY SOLAR-ENERGY

Gasification of oil shales, followed by catalytic reforming, can yield synthesis gas, which is easily transportable and can also be used for producing liquid fuels. We report here on the use of concentrated solar energy as the heat source for the gasification. The experiments were carried out at the Solar Central Receiver of the Weizmann Institute of Science. A number of heliostats provided primary concentration, and secondary concentration was achieved with 2D and 3D CPC's (ideal non-imaging concentrators). Reactor tubes from Inconel and from quartz were used and the shales were fluidized with argon gas. High temperatures were reached very fast and the decomposition of the shales was nearly complete.