Abstract: A shale oil modifier is made of a crude shale oil dehydrogenated sufficiently to attain a viscosity of between about 1200-1800 poise at 60.degree. C. The crude shale oil has sufficient basic nitrogen content so that the dehydrogenated crude shale oil exhibits non-Newtonian properties when mixed with asphalt cements. Preferably, the basic nitrogen content is about 2%-2.5% by weight. The shale oil modifier is made by a process which includes providing a crude shale oil and subjecting the crude shale oil to a two stage distillation followed by a vacuum distillation and collecting the residual fraction. The residual fraction is dehydrogenated with air until a select viscosity, preferably between about 1200-1800 poise at 60.degree. C. is obtained.

Abstract: A method for rejuvenating asphalt pavement includes milling and collecting a select thickness of asphalt pavement of a portion of an existing roadbed. A shale oil modified asphalt comprising between 5-25% shale oil modifier and 75-95% asphalt cement is provided. An aggregate comprising about 60-70% virgin aggregate and about 30-40% of the milled and collected asphalt is combined with the shale oil modified asphalt and then applied to a roadbed.

Abstract: A composition for rejuvenating asphalt comprises between 5-25% by weight shale oil modifier and between 75-95% by weight asphalt cement. The asphalt cement may consist of an AC-10 binder or an AC-20 binder. The shale oil modifier is made of dehydrogenated crude shale oil, the shale oil modifier exhibiting non-Newtonian properties when mixed with asphalt cements. A recycled asphalt pavement consists of the above-described rejuvenating composition and an aggregate composition comprising between about 30-40% recycled asphalt pavement and between about 60-70% virgin aggregate. A method for rejuvenating asphalt pavement includes milling and collecting a select thickness of asphalt pavement of a portion of an existing roadbed. A shale oil modified asphalt comprising between about 5-25% shale oil modifier and 75-95% asphalt cement is provided.

Abstract: A retorting apparatus including a vertical kiln and a plurality of tubes for delivering rock to the top of the kiln and removal of processed rock from the bottom of the kiln so that the rock descends through the kiln as a moving bed. Distributors are provided for delivering gas to the kiln to effect heating of the rock and to disturb the rock particles during their descent. The distributors are constructed and disposed to deliver gas uniformly to the kiln and to withstand and overcome adverse conditions resulting from heat and from the descending rock. The rock delivery tubes are geometrically sized, spaced and positioned so as to deliver the shale uniformly into the kiln and form symmetrically disposed generally vertical paths, or "rock chimneys", through the descending shale which offer least resistance to upward flow of gas. When retorting oil shale, a delineated collection chamber near the top of the kiln collects gas and entrained oil mist rising through the kiln.

Abstract: A solids-gas contact vessel, having two vertically disposed distinct reaction zones, includes a dynamic seal passing solids from an upper to a lower zone and maintaining a gas seal against the transfer of the separate treating gases from one zone to the other, and including a stream of sealing fluid at the seal.

Abstract: Rectangularly-shaped fluid distributors for large diameter, vertical vessels include reinforcers for high heat operation, vertical sides with gas distributing orifices and overhanging, sloped roofs. Devices are provided for cleaning the orifices from a buildup of solid deposits resulting from the reactions in the vessel.

Abstract: A vertical vessel, having a low bed of broken material, having included combustible material, is initially ignited by a plurality of ignitors spaced over the surface of the bed, by adding fresh, broken material onto the bed to buildup the bed to its operating depth and then passing a combustible mixture of gas upwardly through the material, at a rate to prevent back-firing of the gas, while air and recycled gas is passed through the bed to thereby heat the material and commence the desired laterally uniform combustion in the bed. The procedure permits precise control of the air and gaseous fuel mixtures and material rates, and permits the use of the process equipment designed for continuous operation of the vessel.

Abstract: Hot, non-oxygenous gas at carefully controlled quantities and at predetermined depths in a bed of lump oil shale provides pyrolysis of the contained kerogen of the oil shale, and cool non-oxygenous gas is passed up through the bed to conserve the heat inventory for a viable process. The bed being fed at the top with raw shale and retorted shale being removed at the bottom provides a constant depth, continuously moving bed of shale, for a continuous process.

Abstract: A gas, formed as a product of a pyrolysis of oil shale, is passed through hot, retorted shale (containing at least partially decomposed calcium or magnesium carbonate) to essentially eliminate sulfur contaminants in the gas. Specifically, a single chambered pyrolysis vessel, having a pyrolysis zone and a retorted shale gas into the bottom of the retorted shale zone and cleaned product gas is withdrawn as hot product gas near the top of such zone.

Abstract: Continuously determining the bulk density of raw and retorted oil shale, the specific gravity of the raw oil shale and the richness of the raw oil shale provides accurate means to control process variables of the retorting of oil shale, predicting oil production, determining mining strategy, and aids in controlling shale placement in the kiln for the retorting.

Abstract: A method of designing the gas flow parameters of a vertical shaft oil shale retorting vessel involves determining the proportion of gas introduced in the bottom of the vessel and into intermediate levels in the vessel to provide for lateral distribution of gas across the vessel cross section, providing mixing with the uprising gas, and determining the limiting velocity of the gas through each nozzle. The total quantity of gas necessary for oil shale treatment in the vessel may be determined and the proportion to be injected into each level is then determined based on the velocity relation of the orifice velocity and its feeder manifold gas velocity. A limitation is placed on the velocity of gas issuing from an orifice by the nature of the solid being treated, usually physical tests of gas velocity impinging the solid.