AGEING OF KUKERSITE THERMOBITUMEN; pp. 4–18

Ageing of the mix of thermobitumen and oil (TBO) formed at low-tempera­ture pyrolysis of kukersite in autoclaves was studied, and the effect of pyro­lysis conditions on the share of fractions soluble in hexane, benzene and tetrahydrofurane was described. The results reveal a decrease in the total weight of TBO and solid residue at storage. During a month of ageing in open air the additional weight loss of the initial organic matter reaches 10-15%. At that, the yield of TBO decreases and that of the solid residue increases. The fractions of TBO soluble in hexane (maltenes + oil) and in benzene (asphaltenes) decrease, and the fraction soluble in tetrahydrofurane (pre-asphaltenes) increases. The initial yields of hexane and benzene solubles depend on the degree of TBO secondary cracking determined by the pyrolysis conditions. The share of the fraction soluble in hexane increases with pyrolysis temperature and duration and attains 40–50% from the initial organic matter on account of decomposition of asphaltenes concurred with decrease in the total yield of TBO to 60–70% because of gas and coke formation.