Barrier for containing spent oil shale
AssigneeChevron Research Company
InventorsByron G. Spars, Lawrence E. Santucci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water impermeable liner, cap, or dam core for a containment basin for spent oil shale is made from a mixture of water and combusted oil shale having a particle size of less than about one cm, a residual organic carbon content of less than 1%, and at least 15% of its Mg/Ca/Fe carbonate minerals decomposed. A layer of the mixture is applied to the basin and/or top of the filled basin, compacted, and allowed to cure under conditions that minimize the likelihood of shrinkage cracking.
Claims9
A composition for use in making a cementitious, substantially water impermeable barrier having a cured coefficient of permeability less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm/sec., the composition being comprised of a mixture of:
- (a) about 70% to about 90% by weight particulate combusted oil shale having
- (i) a particle size of less than about one centimeter;
- (ii) a residual organic carbon content of less than about 1% by weight;
- and
- (iii) from about 20 to 35% by weight of its Mg, Ca, and Fe carbonate minerals content decomposed;
- and
- (b) about 10% to about 30% by weight water.
A barrier member for a containment basin for spent oil shale, the barrier member having a cured coefficient of permeability less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm/sec. and being comprised of a cured, compacted layer made from a mixture of:
- (a) about 70% to about 90% by weight particulate combusted oil shale having
- (i) a particle size of less than about one centimeter;
- (ii) a residual organic carbon content of less than about 1% by weight;
- and
- (iii) from about 20 to 35% by weight of its Mg, Ca and Fe carbonate minerals content decomposed;
- and
- (e) about 10% to about 30% by weight water.
A process for making a barrier member for a containment basin for spent oil shale comprising:
- (a) applying a layer of a mixture of
- (i) about 70% to about 90% by weight particulate combusted oil shale having a particle size of less than about one centimeter, a residual organic carbon content of less than about 1% by weight, and from about 20 to 35% by weight of its Mg, Ca and Fe carbonate minerals content decomposed;
- and
- (ii) about 10% to about 30% by weight water to the basin;
- (b) compacting the layer to at least about 95% of standard laboratory density;
- and
- (c) allowing the compacted layer to cure thereby resulting in a coefficient of permeability less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm/sec.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.