Matrix Feedstock Interaction During Analytical Pyrolysis

The purpose of writing and publishing this book is to create awareness and stimulating more researches on the roles of minerals in petroleum generation. Petroleum is naturally generated by the pyrolysis of sedimentary organic matter the process which can be simulated in the laboratory using analytical pyrolysis techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of minerals in petroleum generation through effects of minerals interactions during analytical pyrolysis and evaluate whether they qualitatively affecting pyroproducts. Both pyrolysis temperature (750°C-1000°C) and heating duration or time (8 -15 sec)were set as kinetic parameters.Asphaltene which was isolated from bitumen using n-hexane as an extracting solvent was a compound of interest through which silica (SiO2) and pyrite (FeS2) minerals were adsorbed on.Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was used as an influential tool for separation and identification of pyrolysate.This study proved that minerals are qualitatively affecting petroleum generation and Silica observed to have insignificant influences when compared to pyrite which showed significant catalytic effect.