AbstractsChemistry

Although the nature of the products of thermal decomposition of oil shale has attracted the attention of both scientist and industrialist, oil shale possibly ranks as one of the least —investigated substances which occur naturally and which yield valuable products on decomposition. Scientists may approach the subject of oil shale from different aspects;-for instance, the geologist may be interested in its rock structure and stratiography; the chemist may explore its fundamental character, or the nature of its' decomposition; while the botanist may be required to explain its origin. The interest of the industrialist is aroused because the decomposition products of oil shale have extensive commercial value. Unfortunately, most of the published work on oil shale has been based on geological observation or microscopical examination, and while these investigations have produced interesting data, very little information is available on the properties of oil shale, per se, and of its reactions during decomposition. As frequently observed in processes of similar nature, industry has progressed without obtaining full knowledge, of the structure of its raw material and the types of reaction which occur during the commercial process. Especially is this so In the oil-shale Industry where practically every operation is based on empirical knowledge. In order to achieve an effective end economic procedure, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the nature of the raw substance and of the reactions which occur during its decomposition. In the present case, this knowledge should include as much information as can be made available on the chemical and physical properties of oil shale and a knowledge of the reactions which take place during the decomposition of oil shale , to produce oil, gas and residue. The results here presented are offered as an attempt at such a study of one oil shale - The New South Wales Torbanite - in the hope that the industrialist end the scientist will progress together in the development of one of Australia's potentialIy rich resources - Oil Shale.