Thermal analysis studies of oil shale residual carbon

Thermal analysis has been used to determine the impact of heating on the decomposition reaction of two Moroccan oil shales between ambient temperature and 500°C. During pyrolysis of raw oil shale, the residual organic matter (residual carbon) obtained for both shales depends on the heating rate (5 to 40°C min^-1). Three stages characterize the overall process: the concentration of carbonaceous residue decreases with increase of heating rate, become stable around 12°C min^-1 and continue to decrease at higher heating rates. Activation energies were determined using the Coats-Redfern method. Results show a change in the reaction mechanism at around 350°C. Below this temperature, the activation energy was 41.3 kJ mol^-1 for the decomposition of Timahdit, and 40.5 kJ mol^-1 for Tarfaya shale. Above this temperature the respective values are 64.3 and 61.3 kJ mol^-1. The reactivity of Timahdit and Tarfaya oil shale residual carbon prepared at 12°C min^-1 was subject to a dynamic air atmosphere to determine their thermal behaviour. Residual carbon obtained from Tarfaya oil shale is shown to be more reactive than that obtained from Timahdit oil shale. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermooxidative decomposition of oil shales

The thermooxidative decomposition of four oil shale samples from Estonia, Jordan, Israel and Morocco and one sample of Estonian oil shale derivative, semicoke, was studied with the aim to determine the characteristics of the process and the differences of it related to the origin of oil shale. The experiments with a Setaram Setsys 1750 thermoanalyzer coupled to a Nicolet 380 FTIR Spectrometer were carried out under non-isothermal conditions up to 1000 °C at the heating rates of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 °C min⁻¹ in an oxidizing atmosphere. A model-free kinetic analysis approach based on the differential isoconversional method of Friedman was used to calculate the kinetic parameters. The results of TG–DTA–FTIR analyses and the variation of activation energy E along the reaction progress α indicated the complex character of thermooxidative decomposition of oil shale and semicoke, being at that the most complicated for Estonian and Jordanian oil shale characterized by higher content of organic matter as compared to the other samples studied.     

Heating rate effect on the DSC kinetics of oil shales

This research was aimed to investigate the combustion and kinetics of oil shale samples (Mengen and Himmetoğlu) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Experiments were performed in air atmosphere up to 600°C at five different heating rates. The DSC curves clearly demonstrate distinct reaction regions in the oil shale samples studied. Reaction intervals, peak and burn-out temperatures of the oil shale samples are also determined. Arrhenius kinetic method was used to analyze the DSC data and it was observed that the activation energies of the samples are varied in the range of 22.4–127.3 kJ mol⁻¹ depending on the oil shale type and heating rate.     

Non-isothermal DSC and TG/DTG analysis of the combustion of Si̇lopi̇ asphaltites

In this research, non-isothermal combustion and kinetics of Silopi (Turkey) asphaltite samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). A sample size of 10 mg, heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20°C min⁻¹ were used in the temperature range of 20–600°C, under air atmosphere. Two reaction regions were observed in DSC curves. The first region is due to the evaporation of moisture in asphaltite sample whereas, release of volatile matter and burning of carbon is called the second region. A general computer program was developed and the results of four different kinetic models (Arrhenius, Coats-Redfern, Ingraham-Marrier and Horowitz-Metzger) are compared and discussed with regards to their accuracy and the ease of interpretation of the kinetics of thermal decomposition. In general similar activation energy values were obtained when the kinetic models are compared with each other. It was also observed that there was no general trend in the activation energy values from the point of heating rates.     

Mineral matter effect on the decomposition of Ca-rich oil shale

Four oil shale samples with different amounts of organic and mineral matter were analysed through non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis using a heating rate of 50 °C min^?1 in nitrogen. The goal of the paper is to study the supposed catalytic effect of the indigenous and removed minerals. The samples contained 30, 49, 70 and 90% of organic matter, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to identify the minerals in the samples. Thermal analysis experiments were carried out up to temperatures of 850 °C in pyrolysis conditions. The mass loss data were used to study the variations in the conversion profiles of the organic matter depending on the content of the mineral matter. The obtained data and the comparison of the sample composition show that the effect of the mineral matter amount on the course of the pyrolysis processes is insignificant.     

ASTM Kinetics of Oil Shales

Thermal analysis is increasingly being used to obtain kinetic data relating to sample decomposition. In this research differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to determine the combustion kinetics of three (Çan, Himmetoglu and Mengen) oil shale samples by ASTM and Roger &; Morris methods. On DSC curves two reaction regions were observed on oil shale sample studied except Çan oil shale. In DSC experiments higher heating rates resulted in higher reaction temperatures and higher heat of reactions. Distinguishing peaks shifted to higher temperatures with an increase in heating rate. Three different kinetic models (ASTM I-II and Rogers &; Morris) were used to determine the kinetic parameters of the oil shale samples studied. Activation energies were in the range of 131.8-185.3 kJ mol-1 for ASTM methods and 18.5-48.8 kJ mol-1 for Rogers &; Morris method.     

Non-isothermal kinetics of gasification by CO2 of residual carbon from timahdit and tarfaya oil shale kerogens

The gasification with carbon dioxide of residual carbons prepared from Timahdit and Tarfaya oil shale kerogens has been studied by thermal analysis techniques (TG and DTA) under heating rates varying from 5 to 48°C min^-1. The reactions obey first order kinetics. Activation energies have been calculated by several methods, such as Kissinger, Chen-Nuttall and Coats-Redfern methods, and are broadly comparable with literature data for similar carbons.     

A simple routine method for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale

A procedure for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale samples is proposed. Oil shale samples are decomposed in an oxygen stream at three different temperatures (450°C, 550°C, 900°C). The resulting CO₂ is determined after absorption in 0.02 M NaOH in a relative conductometric detection unit. Temperature. differentiated carbon analysis was used to establish the decomposition temperatures of the organic material (450°C) and the inorganic fractions (550°C and 900°C). The method was tested for samples weighing 2–4 mg. Oil shales with organic carbon contents of 8–20% were determined with good reproducibility (r.s.d. 0.4–1.3%). The accuracy was tested with a standard oil shale sample. One determination requires 8 min.     

Thermal behavior of some Estonian clays and their mixtures with oil shale ash additives

Thermal behavior of green clay samples from Kunda and Arumetsa deposits (Estonia) as potential raw materials for production of ceramics and the influence of previously fired clay and hydrated oil shale ash additives on it were the objectives of this research. Two different ashes were used as additives: the electrostatic precipitator ash from the first field and the cyclone ash formed, respectively, at circulating fluidized bed combustion (temperatures 750–830 °C) and pulverized firing (temperatures 1,200–1,400 °C) of Estonian oil shale at Estonian Power Plant. The experiments on a Setaram Labsys Evo 1600 thermoanalyzer coupled with Pfeiffer OmniStar Mass Spectrometer by a heated transfer line were carried out under non-isothermal conditions up to 1,050 °C at the heating rate of 5 °C min^?1 in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 79 % of Ar and 21 % of O₂. Standard 100 µL Pt crucibles were used, the mass of samples was 50 ± 0.5 mg, and the gas flow 60 mL min^?1. The results obtained indicate the complex character of transformations and show certain differences in the thermal behavior of Arumetsa and Kunda clays and their mixtures with oil shale ashes depending on the chemical and mineralogical composition of the clays as well as of the oil shale ashes studied.     

Pyrolysis and combustion model of oil sands from non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis data

Thermogravimetric (TG) data of oil sand obtained at Engineering Research Center of Oil Shale Comprehensive Utilization were studied to evaluate the kinetic parameters for Indonesian oil sand samples. Experiments were carried out at heating rates of 5, 15, and 25 °C min^?1 in nitrogen, 10, 20, and 50 °C min^?1 in oxygen atmosphere, respectively. The extent of char combustion was found out by relating TG data for pyrolysis and combustion with the ultimate analysis. Due to distinct behavior of oil shale during pyrolysis, TG curves were divided into three separate events: moisture release, devolatilization, and evolution of fixed carbon/char, where for each event, kinetic parameters, based on Arrhenius theory, were calculated. Coats–Redfern method, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, and distributed activation energy model method have been used to determine the activation energies of degradation. The methods are compared with regard to their characteristics and the ease of interpretation of the thermal kinetics. Activation energies of the samples were determined by three different methods and the results are discussed.     

Properties and performance of metakaolin pozzolanic cement pastes

The heating rate effect on the thermal behavior of clays from Arumetsa and Kunda deposits (Estonia) and an illitic clay from Füzérradvány (Hungary) was studied. Experiments were carried out under dynamic heating condition up to 1050 °C at the heating rates of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 °C min^?1 in a stream of gas mixture containing 79 % of Ar and 21 % of O₂ with Setaram Labsys 1600 analyzer. Two different ashes were used as additives: the electrostatic precipitator ash from the first field and the cyclone ash formed, respectively, at circulating fluidized bed combustion (temperatures 750–830 °C) and pulverized firing (temperatures 1200–1400 °C) of Estonian oil shale at Estonian Power Plant. For calculation of kinetic parameters, the TG data were processed by the differential isoconversional Friedman method. The results of thermal analysis and the variation of the value of activation energy E along the reaction progress α indicated the complex character of decomposition of clays and their blends with Estonian oil shale ashes, and the certain differences in thermal behavior of different clays depending on their origin.     

Combustion characteristics and kinetic analysis of Turkish crude oils and their SARA fractions by DSC

In this study, two Turkish crude oils from southeastern part of Turkey and their saturate, aromatic, resin fractions were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experiments were performed at three different heating rates (5, 10, 15 °C min^?1) under air atmosphere. Two different reaction regions were observed from DSC curves due to the oxidative degradation of crude oil components. In the first reaction region, it was deduced that the free moisture, volatile hydrocarbons were evaporated from the crude oils, light hydrocarbons were burned, and fuel was formed. The second reaction region was the main combustion region where the fuel was burned. From DSC curves, it was observed that as the sample got heavier, the heat of the reaction increased. Saturates gave minimum heat of reaction. As the heating rate increased, shift of peak temperatures to high values and extended reaction region intervals were observed. The kinetic analysis of the crude oils and their fractions were also performed using ASTM E-698 and Borchardt and Daniels methods, respectively. Activation energy values of the crude oil samples and the fractions’ high-temperature oxidation region were close to each other and varied between 67 and 133 kJ mol^?1 in ASTM and 35 and 154 kJ mol^?1 in Borchardt and Daniels methods, respectively.     

Light crude oil combustion in the presence of limestone matrix

In this study the combustion characteristics of crude oils (Karakuę and Beykan) in the presence of a limestone matrix were determined using the thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). Experiments were performed at a heating rate of 10°C min^-1, whereas the air flow rate was kept constant at 10 L h^-1 in the temperature range of 20-900°C. In combustion with air, three distinct reaction regions were identified in all crude oil/limestone mixtures studied known as low temperature oxidation (LTO), fuel deposition (FD) and high temperature oxidation (HTO). The individual activation energies for each reaction region may be attributed to different reaction mechanisms, but they do not give any indication of the contribution of each region to the overall reactivity of the crude oils. Depending on the characteristics, the mean activation energy of samples varied between 50.3 and 55.8 kJ mol^-1. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Non-isothermal kinetic analysis and feasibilty study of medium grade crude oil field

In this research, non-isothermal kinetics and feasibility study of medium grade crude oil is studied in the presence of a limestone matrix. Experiments were performed at a heating rate of 10°C min⁻¹, whereas the air flow rate was kept constant at 50 mL min⁻¹ in the temperature range of 20 to 600°C (DSC) and 20 to 900°C (TG). In combustion with air, three distinct reaction regions were identified in all crude oil/limestone mixtures, known as low temperature oxidation (LTO), fuel deposition (FD) and high temperature oxidation (HTO). The activation energy values were in the order of 5–9 kJ mol⁻¹ in LTO region and 189–229 kJ mol⁻¹ in HTO region. It was concluded that the medium grade crude oil field was not feasible for a self-sustained combustion process.     

Thermal stability during pyrolysis of sunflower oil produced in the northeast of Brazil

This study aims to analyze thermal stability and make a rheological assessment of sunflower oil produced in the Northeast of Brazil, resulting from the pyrolysis process. Oil samples were submitted to thermal degradation and the reaction was evaluated by the thermogravimetric technique, at temperatures between 30 and 900?°C. Apparent activation energy was determined using the model-free kinetics theory. The coaxial cylinder system at operating temperature of 40?°C was used to obtain rheological parameters. Oil was characterized by gas chromatography. The lipid profile of the oil exhibited good quality. The activation energy of the sunflower oil was 201.2?kJ?mol^?1. Results showed the influence of physical?Cchemical characteristics of vegetable oil on the thermal decomposition process. Rheological analyses confirmed Newtonian rheological behavior. The high potential of the ??Catissol?? variety produced in Northeast Brazil as raw material for biofuel production using pyrolysis was also demonstrated.     

Preliminary studies on the recovery of oil from chattanooga shale

Three exploratory investigations have been performed to examine the recovery of oil from the Chattanooga black shale formation. Thermogravimetric data were analyzed to yield an average activation energy of 57.1 kcal mol^?1 for the conversion process; positive deviations from a reaction order of 3.7 were observed suggesting the presence of autocatalytic effects at low conversion levels. Thermal chromatographic analysis indicated that the maximum organic product release occurred at approximately 435°C and resulted in an oil of relatively low distillation range. A packed bed of shale was retorted in the self-sustained combustion mode thus suggesting the feasibility of this mode for in situ oil recovery. Comparisons with oil shale from Colorado's Green River formation have been made throughout.     

Thermal degradation of PVC cable insulation studied by simultaneous TG-FTIR and TG-EGA methods

Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) coupled with evolved gas analysis (MS detection) of volatiles was used to characterize the thermal behavior of commercial PVC cable insulation material during heating in the range 20-800°C in air and nitrogen, respectively. In addition, simultaneous TG/FTIR was used to elucidate chemical processes that caused the thermal degradation of the sample. A good agreement between results of the methods was found. The thermal degradation of the sample took place in three temperature ranges, namely 200-340, 360-530 and 530-770°C. The degradation of PVC backbone started in the range 200-340°C accompanied by the release of HCl, H₂O, CO₂ and benzene. The non-isothermal kinetics of thermal degradation of the PVC cable insulation in the temperature range 200-340°C was determined from TG results measured at heating rates of 1.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 K min^-1 in nitrogen and air, respectively. The activation energy values of the thermal degradation process in the range 200-340°C of the PVC cable insulation sample were determined from TG results by ASTM method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetics of crude oil combustion

In this research, thermal characterization and kinetics of Karakus crude oil in the presence of limestone matrix is investigated. Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) is used to characterize the crude oil in the temperature range of 20-900°C, at 10°C min ^-1 heating rate using air flow rate of 20 mL min ^-1. In combustion with air, three distinct reaction regions were identified known as low temperature oxidation (LTO), fuel deposition (FD) and high temperature oxidation (HTO). Five different kinetic methods used to analyze the TG/DTG data to identify reaction parameters as activation energy and Arrhenius constant. On the other hand different f(α) models from literature were also applied to make comparison. It was observed that high temperature oxidation temperature (HTO) activation energy of Karakus crude oil is varied between 54.1 and 86.1 kJ mol ^-1, while low temperature oxidation temperature (LTO) is varied between 6.9 and 8.9 kJ mol ^-1.     

Quality control of Amazonian cocoa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma cacao</Emphasis> L.) by-products and microencapsulated extract by thermal analysis

The mineralogical characterization and pyrolysis kinetics of raw oil shale from Moroccan Rif region and the corresponding bitumen-free material were investigated using various analytical techniques. The structural analysis results showed the siliceous character of mineral matrix and the presence of complex organic components in both oil shales studied. Non-isothermal pyrolysis kinetic measurements indicated that bitumen-free oil shale exhibits a single behavior pyrolysis in the oil-producing stage as compared to raw oil shale. The activation energies estimated by using isoconversional methods reveal that the pyrolysis reaction occurred by one-step kinetic process. The kinetic parameters, determined from a nonlinear fitting method using various kinetic models g(α) and iterative Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose energy calculations, reveal that the pyrolysis mechanism is well described by the nth order kinetics (Fn), with n = 1.071, for bitumen-free oil shale, and n = 1.550, for kerogen of raw oil shale. The mechanism of the whole pyrolysis process of raw oil shale seems not to be affected by the elimination of bitumen, but only some kinetic changes have been recorded in the reaction order mechanism. The process pyrolysis is represented by independent reactions and consequently considered as parallel processes. Besides, the thermodynamic functions of activated complexes (?S ^≠ , ?H ^≠ and ?G ^≠) were also calculated and the pyrolysis is found as non-spontaneous process in agreement with the thermal analysis data.     

Emission of Sulphur Dioxide During Thermal Treatment of Fossil Fuels

The dynamics of SO₂ emission during thermooxidation of Estonian oil shale, its semicoke, different samples of coal and their mixtures, as well as the influence of Estonian oil shale ash addition (for modelling the CFBC process) on the dynamics were studied. The experiments were carried out with thermogravimetric equipment under dynamic heating conditions (5 K min^-1) in the atmosphere of dried air, with simultaneous gastitrimetric EGA. It was established that SO₂ emission from the fuels started at 200-320°C. Depending on the form of sulphur (organic, pyritic, sulphate), the emission took place in two or three steps, and continued up to 580-650°C, during which 35-75% of the total sulphur was emitted into the gaseous phase. Regulating the mole ratio of free CaO/S in the mixtures of fuels with oil shale ash addition the emission of SO₂ ceased abruptly at 460-540°C and it was limited to the level of 7-30%. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.