Kerogen-Water Reactions During Maturation

9820862拉森在地球深处，石油是由大分子固体（油母质）分解形成的，它是生物最终石油前体的全部残留物。 干酪根被锁在岩石的孔隙中，通常只占岩石的百分之几。 油母岩转化为石油的化学过程尚不清楚。 有迹象表明，它可能涉及一些矿物质的催化作用，也可能涉及与水的反应。 我们将确定一些最好的矿物材料催化剂候选者是否能引起干酪根和水之间的石油形成反应。 积极的结果不仅有助于石油勘探和了解碳循环，而且可能为重油的加工和升级开辟新的可能性。

9820862Larsen Deep inside the earth, petroleum is formed from the decomposition of a macromolecular solid (kerogen) which is all that remains of the biological ultimate oil precursors. The kerogen is locked in the pores of rocks and is usually only a few per cent of the rock. The chemistry responsible for the conversion of kerogen to petroleum is not understood. There are indications that it may involve catalysis by some of the minerals present and may also involve reactions with the water present. We will determine whether some of the best mineral mater catalyst candidates can bring about petroleum forming reactions between kerogens and water. Positive results would not only aid in petroleum exploration and in understanding the carbon cycle, but might open new processing and upgrading possibilities for heavy oils.