An experimental design to optimize pyrolysis conditions of Timahdit (Morocco) oil shale

An experimental design was carried out to determine the influence of sample weight, final temperature, initial gas pressure, heating rate, residence time and nature of the pyrolysis atmosphere on the yield and composition of pyrolysis shale oil. The study involved discontinuous pyrolysis procedures. The most influential factors were determined and the first-order interactions between them were analysed. The results obtained were exploited, using response surface methodology, to optimize the experimental conditions of pyrolysis. The main finding is that the percentages of the oils (>240% of the Fischer assay which provides 70 lt −1 of oil) and their quality (asphaltenes, paraffins, etc.) are very satisfactory.