Kerogen thermal degradation

In very few cases, for research purposes, certain chemical methods such as oxidation, hydrogenation, or application of some other reagents which could attack the sensitive sites of a kerogen subunit have been applied. However, research workers in this field are inclined to attack the kerogenic material by thermal degradation because retorting is the only common practice. 

Decomposition of kerogen Decomposition of carbonate minerals Reaction of carbon with C02 Reaction of carbon with 02 Thermal degradation of oil Release of fixed water... 

The thermal properties of Devonian shale are quite different from those of Green River oil shale. The associated pyrite in kerogen concentrate may contribute greatly to the effect on thermal degradation of Devonian gas-bearing shale. For the first time DSC was applied to determining thermal properties of Devonian shale as well as Green River oil shale. 

Fig. 4. 26 Possible reaction schemes involved in alkane formation from thermal degradation of kerogen (a) radical reactions in w-alkane generation (b) carbocation reactions in methyl-branched alkane generation (after Kissin 1987).

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