Utilization of oil shale in the production of Portland clinker

Oil shale can potentially be utilized in manufacturing the Portland cement. In addition to the utilization of the spent oil shale after combustion, it can also reduce the required temperature for the clinkering reactions during the production of Portland clinker. A study on the Jordanian oil shale was performed to maximize the use of oil shale ash in the manufacturing of Portland cement. It was found that Jordanian oil shale can be used up 15% with the typical raw materials to produce Portland clinker without altering its principle properties. The corresponding temperature required to generate the required liquid for the clinkering reactions as well as the essential ingredients for clinker was found to be around 1300 °C. The optimized blend ratio obtained was equal to of 16% oil shale ash, 18% kaolinite, and 66% calcite. The operating temperatures for this optimized blend ratio were found to be between 1300 and 1350 °C. The resulting Portland clinker from this ratio will need further testing in accordance with international standards for Portland cement to examine properties like strength, setting time, etc.