Burnham and Singleton (1983) conducted experiments relevant to in situ retorting using a high pressure, self-purging apparatus (see links for details on method and equipment). More recent laboratory studies conducted by Shell and AMSO have used an approach similar to that of Burnham and Singleton to test in situ retorting technologies or examine product quality. The USGS has tested a simple batch approach using reactors connected by a tube or flexhose with products purged to a cooled, evacuated vessel at the end of a prescribed time at retorting temperatures, generating products similar to those obtained in the self-purging batch reactor systems.

https://web.anl.gov/PCS/acsfuel/preprint%20archive/Files/28_3_SEATTLE_03-83_0114.pdf

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2010-1032.ch009

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef502109m

www.costar-mines.org/oss/30/paper/Paper_09-02-Birdwell_Justin.pdf

www.costar-mines.org/oss/31/F-pres-sm-sec/19-04_Ruble_Tim.pdf

We have done some synthetic maturation of Woodford samples at USGS in Colorado.

In our lab we conduct hydrous pyrolysis (HP) experiments in 1-liter Parr vessels according to methodology developed by M.D. Lewan from USGS. Details of the experimental procedure were described in our papers, e.g. Curtis et al. (2004), Lewan et al. (2006, 2008), Wieclaw et al. (2010).