Characterization by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the insoluble organic residues derived from the hydrogenation of Tasmanites sp. oil shale

The insoluble organic residues from the hydrogenation of Tasmanites sp. oil shale have been characterized by Curie point pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography and computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The resulting pyrograms show that very little, if any, hydrogenation of the residues occurs. Rather, the initial step in the sequence is pyrolysis of the residue followed by hydrogenation of the liquid products. Major compounds identified from the pyrograms of the residues include alkene/alkane doublets, mixtures of diterpenoids and mono- di- and triaromatic compounds. Changes in the distribution of these compounds with changes in reaction conditions are discussed.