Decomposition of Oil Shale by Electron-Beam Irradiation at Vacuum Condition

Abstract

The electron-beam irradiation was used to investigate the fuel production generated from Fushun oil shale at vacuum condition. The kerogen decomposition mechanism was demonstrated and the influence of reaction conditions on the produced gas was discussed. Reaction results show that the gas yield increases along with the increasing of the electron-beam irradiation time. The maximum gas yield is 7.18 %. Moreover, the gas yield is also proportional with the accelerating voltage. However, the pulse current has no obvious influence on the gas yield. The electron-beam irradiation in vacuum limits the secondary decomposition reaction, which provides high yield of hydrocarbon gas and depresses the formation of H₂O and H₂.