Pyrolysis characteristics of Maoming oil shale using visual reactor in the presence of supercritical water

This study introduces a novel visual online observation technique for identifying the critical temperature for oil generation. It also examines the hydrocarbon generation properties of Maoming oil shale when subjected to supercritical water. Findings indicate that the critical temperature for Maoming oil shale in supercritical water ranges from 262 to 292 °C, and the visualization reactor facilitates the investigation of this critical temperature. The organic carbon conversion rate for Maoming oil shale can exceed 25.4% within a limited reaction time of one hour. Increasing the water-shale mass ratio enhances the overall conversion of organic carbon in the oil shale and boosts oil production, although it does not significantly improve gas production. Additionally, a higher water-shale mass ratio can decrease the heavy oil fraction in the oil and enhance the selectivity for hydrogen and methane in the gas produced.