William W Wolff

US Patent:

45840881, Apr 22, 1986

Filed:

Jul 12, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/630368

Inventors:

John D. McCollum - Naperville IL
William F. Wolff - Park Forest IL

Assignee:

Standard Oil Company (Indiana) - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C10G 104

US Classification:

208 11LE

Abstract:

A method for producing a kerogen concentrate from oil shale comprises treating shale with a first aqueous caustic treating solution to produce a shale product of substantially transformed mineral content, and then treating the shale product with an aqueous acid solution to produce a first kerogen concentrate. The acid solution extracts minerals from the shale product to make a low ash content first kerogen concentrate. A spent acid solution containing the extracted minerals can be treated to recover minerals therefrom. The first kerogen concentrate is then treated with a second aqueous caustic treating solution to produce a second kerogen concentrate of lower ash content. The first and second aqueous caustic treating solutions are preferably the same.