Direct combustion of oil sale using a circulating fluidized bed combustor

A stainless steel circulating fluidized bed combustor was designed, constructed and tested by burning oil shale particles. During experimental work chromel-alumel (K-type) thermocouples were used to measure the temperature distribution along the bed. Further and in order to control the emitted gases, gas chromatography technique was used to analyze the exhaust products from the bed, Finally, the remaining ash in the bed was analyzed for the unburned carbon and hence the combustion efficiency of the bed was determined. It was found that there is a high feasibility for the Jordanian oil shale to be directly and continuously burned using a circulating fluidized bed combustor. The average maximum bed temperature obtained was 950 deg., while the combustion efficiency has a value ranging between 90 and 97%. (authors). 6 refs., 6 figs, 1 tab