Hydrocarbons in the Products of Oxidative-Hydrolytic Transformation of Sapropelites

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative composition of hydrocarbons formed during oxidative-hydrolytic treatment of Kuzbas and Mongolian sapropelic oil shales under hydrous pyrolysis conditions was determined by chromato-mass spectrometry. It was shown that oxidative-hydrolytic transformations of the organic mass of these sapropelites at 400°C in aqueous-alkaline solution are due to the extent of 30-40% to the formation of paraffinic-naphthenic hydrocarbons, primarily normal C₁₀- C₃₁ alkanes and normal C₁₄- C₂₈ alkenes. It was found that, in contrast to the anhydrous pyrolysis products, the destructive oxidation-hydrolysis products contain more monounsaturated olefins with the double bond in a different position. The composition of the hydrocarbon biomarkers confirms the marine origin of the original biomass of the studied oil shales.