The temperature of a char particle burning in an oxygen containing atmosphere is the product of a strongly coupled balance between particle size and physical properties, heat transfer from the particle, surface reactivity, CO/CO{sub 2} ratio and gas phase diffusion in the surrounding boundary layer and within the particle. CO{sub 2}/CO ratios can be strongly influenced by catalytic material in the carbon and by the char temperature. In this program we are measuring the CO{sub 2}/CO ratio for both catalyzed and uncatalyzed chars over a wide range of temperature. These results will then be used to develop predictive models for char temperature and burning rates. The electrodynamic balance has been successfully used to make such measurements for single 200{mu}m spherocarb particles. A few theoretical approaches to model a single particle oxidation have been made, but most of them assumed the infinitely thin reaction zone at the particle surface. This approach can not explain pore diffusion limitation, structural change, or reaction at low temperatures inside the particle. Too simplifying solid phase reaction may leads to wrong predictions. In this report, progress on constructing models including both solid and gas phase reaction are reported.

During this period, we focused our attention in analyzing the magnetic nature of the extensively used trimetallic catalyst system Cu-Co-Cr for the production of higher alcohols. We believe that there could be some correspondence between the catalytic and magnetic behaviors of the transition metal catalyst systems. Both the morphology and metallic charge distribution of the particles are known to govern the catalytic as well as the magnetic properties of the system.

During this period, we focused our attention in analyzing the magnetic nature of the extensively used trimetallic catalyst system Cu-Co-Cr for the production of higher alcohols. We believe that there could be some correspondence between the catalytic and magnetic behaviors of the transition metal catalyst systems. Both the morphology and metallic charge distribution of the particles are known to govern the catalytic as well as the magnetic properties of the system.

The temperature of a char particle burning in an oxygen containing atmosphere is the product of a strongly coupled balance between particle size and physical properties, heat transfer from the particle, surface reactivity, CO/CO{sub 2} ratio and gas phase diffusion in the surrounding boundary layer and within the particle. CO{sub 2}/CO ratios can be strongly influenced by catalytic material in the carbon and by the char temperature. In this program we are measuring the CO{sub 2}/CO ratio for both catalyzed and uncatalyzed chars over a wide range of temperature. These results will then be used to develop predictive models for char temperature and burning rates. The electrodynamic balance has been successfully used to make such measurements for single 200{mu}m spherocarb particles. A few theoretical approaches to model a single particle oxidation have been made, but most of them assumed the infinitely thin reaction zone at the particle surface. This approach can not explain pore diffusion limitation, structural change, or reaction at low temperatures inside the particle. Too simplifying solid phase reaction may leads to wrong predictions. In this report, progress on constructing models including both solid and gas phase reaction are reported.

The scope of the research program and the continuation is to study interacting hydrologic, geotechnical, and chemical factors affecting the behavior and disposal of combusted processed oil shale. The research combines bench-scale testing with large scale research sufficient to describe commercial scale embankment behavior. The large scale approach was accomplished by establishing five lysimeters, each 7.3 {times} 3.0 {times} 3.0 m deep, filled with processed oil shale that has been retorted and combusted by the Lurgi-Ruhrgas (Lurgi) process. Approximately 400 tons of Lurgi processed oil shale waste was provided by Rio Blanco Oil Shale Co., Inc. (RBOSC) through a separate cooperative agreement with the University of Wyoming (UW) to carry out this study. Three of the lysimeters were established at the RBOSC Tract C-a in the Piceance Basin of Colorado. Two lysimeters were established in the Environmental Simulation Laboratory (ESL) at UW. The ESL was specifically designed and constructed so that a large range of climatic conditions could be physically applied to the processed oil shale which was filled in the lysimeter cells.

The scope of the research program and the continuation is to study interacting hydrologic, geotechnical, and chemical factors affecting the behavior and disposal of combusted processed oil shale. The research combines bench-scale testing with large scale research sufficient to describe commercial scale embankment behavior. The large scale approach was accomplished by establishing five lysimeters, each 7.3 [times] 3.0 [times] 3.0 m deep, filled with processed oil shale that has been retorted and combusted by the Lurgi-Ruhrgas (Lurgi) process. Approximately 400 tons of Lurgi processed oil shale waste was provided by Rio Blanco Oil Shale Co., Inc. (RBOSC) through a separate cooperative agreement with the University of Wyoming (UW) to carry out this study. Three of the lysimeters were established at the RBOSC Tract C-a in the Piceance Basin of Colorado. Two lysimeters were established in the Environmental Simulation Laboratory (ESL) at UW. The ESL was specifically designed and constructed so that a large range of climatic conditions could be physically applied to the processed oil shale which was filled in the lysimeter cells.