WSP08991

• File Number: 8040.260
• Description: Section D General Studies-Oil Shale/Coal
• State: CO
• Date: 7/1/1959
• Author: Cameron andJones Inc
• Title: Water Requirements for Oil Shale 1960-1975
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Water usually is the most economical coolant for this pur-
pose.
Cooling water may be used once or recirculated. On a
once-through basis, most of the water would be returned to
the stream essentially without loss, but at a higher tempera-
ture. A recirculation system uses some type of evaporative
cooling to re-cool the water and very little is returned to
the stream.
Once-through usage requires a large year round water
supply and if the stream contains considerable impurities,
the expense of treating may be significant. For a recircula-
ting cooling water system, only make-up water is required,
usually no more than 10% of the quantity needed on a once-
through basis.
Because of seasonal fluctuations in stream flow and the
probability of having to chemically treat the water to make
it usable, we have assumed the use of recirculating cooling
water systems for our estimate of wate~ requirements.
Electric power plants are another significant consumer
of water. Here again, cooling and condensation is the largest
requirement. For average steam-elecric plants uing recircu-
lated cooling water, 7 pounds of water are consumed for each
kilowatt-hour of electricity generated.
The total water requirement for shale oil production
and refining including electric power generation, may vary
from 50 to 100 gallons per barrel depending on the refining
process used. Perhaps 10% of this water would be returned
to the stream.
Shale-related industry, which will not become important
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