OIL SHALE Meaning and
Definition
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Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that contains a significant amount of organic material called kerogen. It is defined as a type of shale rock with a high organic content, typically ranging from 10 to 30 percent. This organic material within oil shale has the potential to be converted into oil through a process called pyrolysis.
Oil shale is formed over millions of years from the accumulation of organic materials, such as algae and other microorganisms, in lacustrine or marine environments. It goes through a complex transformation process, where the heat and pressure exerted on the sediment over time convert the organic material into solid hydrocarbons.
The extraction of oil from oil shale involves mining or drilling the rock and applying heat to release the hydrocarbons trapped within the kerogen. This can be achieved through surface retorting, underground retorting, or in situ processing techniques. Once released, the hydrocarbons can be further processed into various petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Although oil shale is abundant and widely distributed around the world, its extraction and conversion into oil can be challenging and expensive due to the complex processing requirements. Additionally, the environmental impact of oil shale extraction is a subject of concern, as it involves large-scale operations, water consumption, and potential greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, oil shale represents a potential unconventional energy source that can contribute to global energy supplies, but it also poses technical, economic, and environmental challenges.
Common Misspellings for OIL SHALE
- iil shale
- kil shale
- lil shale
- pil shale
- 0il shale
- 9il shale
- oul shale
- ojl shale
- okl shale
- ool shale
- o9l shale
- o8l shale
- oik shale
- oip shale
- oio shale
- oil ahale
- oil shaole
Etymology of OIL SHALE
The word "oil shale" is composed of two parts: "oil" and "shale".
The term "oil" originated from the Latin word "oleum", which means "olive oil" or "pressed olive". It later extended its meaning to include any liquid substance derived from organic matter, which has a greasy or slippery consistency.
The word "shale" has its roots in Old English, derived from the West Saxon word "scealu", which means "shell" or "husk". It refers to sedimentary rock that is formed from compressed mud or clay with the ability to split into thin layers.
When combined, "oil shale" describes a type of sedimentary rock containing a significant amount of organic material, known as kerogen, from which oil can be extracted through heating or pyrolysis.
Similar spelling word for OIL SHALE
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