Blending Kerogen with Synthetic Polymers

摘要

Kerogen is a hydrocarbon polymer created and stored inside geological formations over past millions of years. As precursor of oil it attracts researchers' attention for several decades with main focus on its decomposition to small molecules, either by retorting of mined shale or by in-situ conversion. Kerogen can be liberated from the rock by dissolving minerals present in given geological formation with HCl and HF solvents. Resulting residue is black, powdery fluffy material suitable for study with classical polymer methods. In this research blending of kerogen with synthetic polymers is attempted. Polymers chosen are polypropylene (PP) and styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SBC). Samples were prepared either in the molten state or by mixing in common solvent followed by evaporation. Dispersion of kerogen in the mixture, its effect on crystallization, and thermal stability of blends were the main objectives of this project. Fig 1. TG/DTA/MS spectrum for Green River Fig 2. TG/DSC thermogram for Green River oil shale kerogen Fig. 3. Kerogen particles blended in Fig 4. Kerogen particles blended in SBC copolymer (scale bar 20?m) Polypropylene (scale bar 20?m).