Nature and geochemistry of high molecular weight hydrocarbons in oils and solid bitumens
1992
Río Andrade, José Carlos del | Philp, R. Paul | Allen, John
13 pages, 10 figures, 23 references.-- School of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73919, U.S.A.-- Corresponding author: [email protected]
Show more [+] Less [-]Series of hydrocarbons ranging up to C75 have been detected by high temperature gas chromatography (HTGC) in a number of geochemical samples, including oils and waxes precipitated in drill stem pipes. A saturated hydrocarbon fraction isolated from a fossil bitumen, ozocerite, and enriched in branched/cyclic compounds, was analysed by direct insertion probe mass spectrometry (DIP/MS) and showed the presence of cyclic structures in the high molecular weight region (>C40). The asphaltene fractions isolated from the various samples were analysed by flash pyrolysis-high temperature gas chromatography (Py-HTGC). Similar distributions of high molecular weight hydrocarbons were produced from the asphaltenes of both the oils and waxes. In vitro simulation experiments of the asphaltene fractions produced a similar distribution of high molecular weight hydrocarbons as observed from Py-HTGC, suggesting that thermal breakdown of asphaltenes may be responsible for the production, or release, of some naturally occurring high molecular weight hydrocarbons.
Show more [+] Less [-]Peer reviewed
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