Particle-Size Fractionation and Thermal Variation of Oil Shales in the Songliao Basin, NE China: Implication for Hydrocarbon-Generated Process

The synchronous variation and association of organic matter (OM) and minerals in the hydrocarbon-generated process of oil shales are poorly understood. The goal of the paper is to investigate OM occurrence and thermal variation so as to reveal the hydrocarbon generation potential of oil shales. Based on detailed analyses of particle, organic, mineral, and thermal data from lacustrine oil shales in the Songliao Basin, we observed three layers of shale particles after settling in the water column characterized by a distinct color, degree of consolidation, and particle size. The particle sizes are divided into three ranges of fine grain (<1 μm), medium grain (1–20 μm), and coarse grain (>20 μm) via laser particle analysis. The particle-size distribution indicates the presence of OM polymerization and dominant contribution of the associated mineral surface and bioclastic OMs to the OM abundance of oil shale. Various OM occurrences are influenced by OM sources and redox conditions, whereas the degree of biodecomposition and particle sizes affect the placement of OM occurrences. Based on multiple thermal analyses, a synchronous response of OM and minerals to thermal variation dominates at 300–550 °C. The I/S and chlorite minerals are characterized by an entire illitization, while solid/absorbed OMs and hydrocarbon-generated water were expelled in large quantities. This contributes to major loss weights of oil shales during heating. The peak hydrocarbon-generated rate occurred at 457 °C for oil shales, corresponding to around 1.3% vitrinite reflectance value. These results are suggested to improve the understanding of OM occurrences and the thermal degradation constraint on the hydrocarbon-generated process, and contribute to the interpretation of the hydrocarbon generation potential and in-situ exploitation of oil shales.

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Integration of the outcrop and subsurface geochemical data: implications for the hydrocarbon source rock evaluation in the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology ◽

10.1007/s13202-018-0569-6 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 937-951 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sajjad Ahmad ◽

Faizan Ahmad ◽

Abd Ullah ◽

Muhammad Eisa ◽

Farman Ullah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Source Rock ◽

Vitrinite Reflectance ◽

Indus Basin ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation ◽

Type Ii ◽

Hydrocarbon Source Rock ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential ◽

Well Data

Abstract The present study details the hydrocarbon source rock geochemistry and organic petrography of the outcrop and subsurface samples of the Middle Jurassic Chiltan Formation and the Lower Cretaceous Sembar Formation from the Sann #1 well Central and Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan. The total organic carbon (TOC), Rock–Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance (Ro) % and Maceral analysis techniques were used and various geochemical plots were constructed to know the quality of source rock, type of kerogen, level of maturity and migration history of the hydrocarbons. The outcrop and Sann #1 well data on the Sembar Formation reveals poor, fair, good and very good quality of the TOC, type II–III kerogen, immature–mature organic matter and an indigenous hydrocarbon generation potential. The outcrop and Sann #1 well data on the Chiltan Formation show a poor–good quality of TOC, type II–III kerogen, immature–mature source rock quality and having an indigenous hydrocarbon generation potential. The vitrinite reflectance [Ro (%)] values and Maceral types [fluorescent amorphous organic matter, exinite, alginite and inertnite] demonstrate that maturity in both Sembar and the Chiltan formation at surface and subsurface fall in the oil and gas generation zone to cracking of oil to gas condensate zone. Recurrence of organic rich and poor intervals within the Sembar and Chiltan formation are controlled by the Late Jurassic thermal uplift preceding the Indo-Madagascar separation from the Afro-Arabian Plate and Early Cretaceous local transgressive–regressive cycles. From the current study, it is concluded that both Sembar and Chiltan formation can act as a potential hydrocarbon source rock in the study area.

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Sequence Stratigraphy and Geochemistry of Oil Shale Deposits in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of the Songliao Basin, NE China: Implications for the Geological Optimization of In Situ Oil Shale Conversion Processing

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13112964 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 2964 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Penglin Zhang ◽

Yinbo Xu ◽

Qingtao Meng ◽

Zhaojun Liu ◽

Jiaqiang Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oil Shale ◽

Arable Land ◽

Songliao Basin ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation ◽

Sequence Stratigraphic ◽

Potential Index ◽

High Lake Level ◽

Oil Shales ◽

System Tracts

The Songliao Basin contains some of the largest volumes of oil shales in China; however, these energy sources are located in areas covered by arable land, meaning that the best way of exploiting them is likely to be environmentally friendly in situ conversion processing (ICP). Whether the oil shales of the Songliao Basin in the Qingshankou Formation are suitable for ICP remain controversial. In this paper, through sequence stratigraphic correlations, three main thick oil shale layers (N1, N2, and N3) of the Sequence1 (Sq1) unit in the first member of Qingshankou Formation (K2qn1) are confirmed as consistently present throughout the Southeastern Uplift region of the basin. The spectral trend attributes reflect that the lake reached a maximum flood surface of the K2qn1 in N2 oil shale layer, and the total organic carbon (TOC) and Fischer assay (FA) oil yield are significantly increasing. The N2 and N3 oil shale layers were deposited in a high lake level environment associated with ingressions of ocean water. The oil shale in these layers with the characteristics of high TOC (maximum of 23.9 wt %; average of 7.2 wt %), abundance of aquatic organic matter (OM) (maximum hydrogen index (HI) of 1080.2 mg/g; average of 889.9 mg/g) and carbonate contents (maximum of 29.5%; average of 15.4%). The N2 and N3 oil shale layers have higher brittleness index (BI) values (generally 40–50%), larger cumulative thicknesses (maximum of 13.3 m; average of 12.0 m), and much higher source potential index (SPI) values (0.92 and 0.88 tHC/m2, respectively) than the N1 oil shale layer within Sq1 transgressive system tracts (TST), indicating that the N2 and N3 layers are prospective targets for ICP. In addition, oil shales buried to depths of <1000 m have strong hydrocarbon generation capacities that make them suitable for ICP.

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A study on hydrocarbon generation potential of deep source rocks and gas sources in Changling Fault Depression, Songliao Basin

Chinese Journal of Geochemistry ◽

10.1007/s11631-011-0507-5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 255-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ling Zan ◽

Zhihuan Zhang ◽

Jiajia Fei ◽

Yuyuan Wu ◽

Zhenying Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Songliao Basin ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential ◽

Deep Source

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Source rock potential assessment of the Paleocene coal and coaly shale in the Attock-Cherat Range of Pakistan

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology ◽

10.1007/s13202-021-01172-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 2299-2313

Author(s):

Khalid Latif ◽

Muhammad Hanif ◽

Syed Anjum Shah ◽

Irfan U. Jan ◽

Muhammad Younis Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Index ◽

Vitrinite Reflectance ◽

Geochemical Data ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation ◽

Visual Examination ◽

Terrestrial Environment ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential ◽

Geochemical Parameters ◽

Rock Eval ◽

Reflectance Measurements

AbstractIn this study the hydrocarbon generation potential of the coal and coaly shale samples collected from coal mines in Attock-Cherat Range of Pakistan is optically and analytically evaluated. These samples, representing the Paleocene Hangu Formation, are analyzed across a range of thermal maturity stages to understand their hydrocarbon generation potential. The visual examination of maceral type and values of vitrinite reflectance have been considered while interpreting the geochemical results for the coal and associated sediments from the Paleocene Hangu Formation. The maceral group is dominated by vitrinite, mainly collodetrinite, followed by inertinite and liptinite, and suggests Type III kerogen for the samples. The geochemical parameters suggest that the samples are post mature, however, the vitrinite reflectance measurements show late mature conditions for a gas-prone generation. The overall petrographical and geochemical data suggest that the coal and coaly shale appear to occupy the gas window and fall in the dry gas zone. Based on the maceral types and Rock–Eval data, an anoxic to terrestrial environment is inferred for the deposition of the coal and associated sediments. The vitrinite reflectance, Rock–Eval pyrolysis, and the type and frequency of macerals show that the coal is of good quality, i.e., medium to high volatile bituminous and hard brown coal, mature, and is lying in the gas window. Oxygen index is continuously low throughout the analyzed interval, which further supports that the coal is of good quality.

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Use of petrological and organic geochemical data in determining hydrocarbon generation potential of coals: miocene coals of Malatya Basin (Eastern Anatolia-Turkey)

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology ◽

10.1007/s40789-020-00376-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nazan Yalcin Erik ◽

Faruk Ay

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Vitrinite Reflectance ◽

Hydrogen Index ◽

Quality Data ◽

Geochemical Data ◽

Mineral Matter ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation ◽

Thermal Maturity ◽

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential ◽

Northern District

AbstractWith this study, the hydrocarbon generation potential of Miocene aged coals around Arguvan-Parçikan in the northern district of Malatya province was evaluated with the aid of petrological and organic geochemical data. According to organic petrography, coal quality data, and low thermal maturity, the Arguvan-Parçikan coals are of high-ash, high-sulfur subbituminous B/C rank. The organic fraction of the coals is mostly comprised of humic group macerals, with small percentages derived from the inertinite and liptinite groups. The mineral matter of the coals is comprised mainly of calcite and clay minerals. The total organic carbon (TOC, wt%) values of the shale and coal samples are between 2.61 wt% and 43.02 wt%, and the hydrogen index values are between 73 and 229 mg HC/g TOC. Pyrolysis (Tmax, PI), huminite/vitrinite reflectance (Ro, %), and biomarker ratios (CPI, Pr/Ph ratio, Ts/(Ts + Tm) ratio, C32 homohopane ratio (22S/22S + 22R) and C29ββ/(ββ + αα sterane ratio) indicate that the organic matter of the studied coals is thermally immature. When all these data are taken together, Miocene aged coals around Arguvan are suitable for hydrocarbon generation, especially gas, in terms of organic matter type (Type III and Type II/III mixed), organic matter amount (> 10 wt% TOC), however, low liptinitic macerals (< 15%–20%), low hydrogen index (< 200 mg HC/g TOC) and low thermal maturity values inhibit the hyrocarbon generation.

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Surface energy of cellulosic materials: The effect of particle morphology, particle size, and hydroxyl number

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj14.9.565 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 565-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

YUCHENG PENG ◽

DOUGLAS J. GARDNER

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Surface Energy ◽

Particle Morphology ◽

Nanofibrillated Cellulose ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Hydroxyl Number ◽

Small Individual ◽

Dispersion Component ◽

Commercial Applications ◽

Lower Temperature

Understanding the surface properties of cellulose materials is important for proper commercial applications. The effect of particle size, particle morphology, and hydroxyl number on the surface energy of three microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) preparations and one nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) preparation were investigated using inverse gas chromatography at column temperatures ranging from 30ºC to 60ºC. The mean particle sizes for the three MCC samples and the NFC sample were 120.1, 62.3, 13.9, and 9.3 μm. The corresponding dispersion components of surface energy at 30°C were 55.7 ± 0.1, 59.7 ± 1.3, 71.7 ± 1.0, and 57.4 ± 0.3 mJ/m2. MCC samples are agglomerates of small individual cellulose particles. The different particle sizes and morphologies of the three MCC samples resulted in various hydroxyl numbers, which in turn affected their dispersion component of surface energy. Cellulose samples exhibiting a higher hydroxyl number have a higher dispersion component of surface energy. The dispersion component of surface energy of all the cellulose samples decreased linearly with increasing temperature. MCC samples with larger agglomerates had a lower temperature coefficient of dispersion component of surface energy.

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Effect of particle size on phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of Sargassum cristaefolium ethanol extract

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95769-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

E. S. Prasedya ◽

A. Frediansyah ◽

N. W. R. Martyasari ◽

B. K. Ilhami ◽

A. S. Abidin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Particle Size ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Ethanol Extract ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Epicatechin Gallate ◽

Particle Size Reduction ◽

Phytochemical Composition

AbstractSample particle size is an important parameter in the solid–liquid extraction system of natural products for obtaining their bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the effect of sample particle size on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of brown macroalgae Sargassum cristaefolium. The crude ethanol extract was extracted from dried powders of S.cristeafolium with various particle sizes (> 4000 µm, > 250 µm, > 125 µm, > 45 µm, and < 45 µm). The ethanolic extracts of S.cristaefolium were analysed for Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activities. The extract yield and phytochemical composition were more abundant in smaller particle sizes. Furthermore, the TPC (14.19 ± 2.08 mg GAE/g extract to 43.27 ± 2.56 mg GAE/g extract) and TFC (9.6 ± 1.8 mg QE/g extract to 70.27 ± 3.59 mg QE/g extract) values also significantly increased as particle sizes decreased. In addition, phenolic compounds epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) concentration were frequently increased in samples of smaller particle sizes based on two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison analysis. These results correlate with the significantly stronger antioxidant activity in samples with smaller particle sizes. The smallest particle size (< 45 µm) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity based on DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl assay and FRAP. In addition, ramp function graph evaluates the desired particle size for maximum phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity is 44 µm. In conclusion, current results show the importance of particle size reduction of macroalgae samples to increase the effectivity of its biological activity.

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Experimental Analysis of the Mechanical Properties and Resistivity of Tectonic Coal Samples with Different Particle Sizes

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14082303 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 2303

Author(s):

Congyu Zhong ◽

Liwen Cao ◽

Jishi Geng ◽

Zhihao Jiang ◽

Shuai Zhang

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Particle Size ◽

Compressive Strength ◽

Elastic Modulus ◽

Uniaxial Compressive Strength ◽

Coalbed Methane ◽

Coal Sample ◽

Fine Particles ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Tectonic Coal

Because of its weak cementation and abundant pores and cracks, it is difficult to obtain suitable samples of tectonic coal to test its mechanical properties. Therefore, the research and development of coalbed methane drilling and mining technology are restricted. In this study, tectonic coal samples are remodeled with different particle sizes to test the mechanical parameters and loading resistivity. The research results show that the particle size and gradation of tectonic coal significantly impact its uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus and affect changes in resistivity. As the converted particle size increases, the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus decrease first and then tend to remain unchanged. The strength of the single-particle gradation coal sample decreases from 0.867 to 0.433 MPa and the elastic modulus decreases from 59.28 to 41.63 MPa with increasing particle size. The change in resistivity of the coal sample increases with increasing particle size, and the degree of resistivity variation decreases during the coal sample failure stage. In composite-particle gradation, the proportion of fine particles in the tectonic coal sample increases from 33% to 80%. Its strength and elastic modulus increase from 0.996 to 1.31 MPa and 83.96 to 125.4 MPa, respectively, and the resistivity change degree decreases. The proportion of medium particles or coarse particles increases, and the sample strength, elastic modulus, and resistivity changes all decrease.

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Investigation of the kinetics of spontaneous combustion of the major coal seam in Dahuangshan mining area of the Southern Junggar coalfield, Xinjiang, China

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79223-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Li Shen ◽

Qiang Zeng

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

High Temperature ◽

Coal Seam ◽

Spontaneous Combustion ◽

Heating Temperature ◽

Characteristic Temperature ◽

Mining Area ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Coal Oxidation ◽

Increasing Temperature

AbstractIn the present paper, with using diverse methods (including the SEM, the XRD, the TPO, the FTIR, and the TGA) , the authors analysed samples of the major coal seam in Dahuangshan Mining area with different particle sizes and with different heated temperatures (from 50 to 800 °C at regular intervals of 50 °C). The results from SEM and XRD showed that high temperature and high number of pores, fissures, and hierarchical structures in the coal samples could facilitate oxidation reactions and spontaneous combustion. A higher degree of graphitization and much greater number of aromatic microcrystalline structures facilitated spontaneous combustion. The results from TPO showed that the oxygen consumption rate of the coal samples increased exponentially with increasing temperature. The generation rates of different gases indicated that temperatures of 90 °C or 130 °C could accelerate coal oxidation. With increasing temperature, the coal oxidation rate increased, and the release of gaseous products was accelerated. The FTIR results showed that the amount of hydroxide radicals and oxygen-containing functional groups increased with the decline in particle size, indicating that a smaller particle size may facilitate the oxidation reaction and spontaneous combustion of coal. The absorbance and the functional group areas at different particle sizes were consistent with those of the heated coal samples, which decreased as the temperature rose. The results from TGA showed that the characteristic temperature T3 declined with decreasing particle size. After the sample with 0.15–0.18 mm particle size was heated, its carbon content decreased, and its mineral content increased, inhibiting coal oxidation. This result also shows that the activation energy of the heated samples tended to increase at the stage of high-temperature combustion with increasing heating temperature.

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