Formation of archipelago structures during thermal cracking implicates a chemical mechanism for the formation of petroleum asphaltenes
Alshareef AH, Scherer A, Tan X, Azyat K, Stryker JM, Tykwinski R, Gray MR (2011)
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2011
Journal
Original Authors: Alshareef A., Scherer A., Tan X., Azyat K., Stryker J., Tykwinski R., Gray M.
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Book Volume: 25
Pages Range: 2130-2136
Journal Issue: 5
DOI: 10.1021/ef200170a
Abstract
A series of model compounds for the large components in petroleum, with molecular weights from 534 to 763 g/mol, was thermally cracked in the liquid phase at 365-420 °C to simulate catagenesis over a very short time scale and reveals the selectivity and nature of the addition products. The pyrolysis of three types of compounds was investigated: alkyl pyrene, alkylbridged pyrene with phenyl or pyridine as a central ring group, and a substituted cholestane-benzoquinoline compound. Analysis of the products of reaction of each compound by mass spectrometry, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography demonstrated that a significant fraction of the products, ranging from 26 to 62 wt %, was addition products with molecular weights higher than that of the starting compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis showed that the pyrene compounds undergo addition through the attached alkyl groups, giving rise to bridged archipelago products. These results imply that the same geochemical processes that generate the light components of petroleum, such as n-alkanes, simultaneously produce some of the most complex heavy components in the asphaltenes. Similarly, thermal cracking reactions during refinery processes, such as visbreaking and coking, will drive addition reactions involving the alkyl groups on large aromatic compounds. © 2011 American Chemical Society.
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APA:
Alshareef, A.H., Scherer, A., Tan, X., Azyat, K., Stryker, J.M., Tykwinski, R., & Gray, M.R. (2011). Formation of archipelago structures during thermal cracking implicates a chemical mechanism for the formation of petroleum asphaltenes. Energy & Fuels, 25(5), 2130-2136. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ef200170a
MLA:
Alshareef, Ali H., et al. "Formation of archipelago structures during thermal cracking implicates a chemical mechanism for the formation of petroleum asphaltenes." Energy & Fuels 25.5 (2011): 2130-2136.
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