Formation of radicals in thermal degradation of kerogen. A kinetic study

Two source rocks containing type II kerogen, both from Italy, were studied to evaluate the formation of radicals during thermal treatment. Crushed and extracted rocks were pyrolysed in sealed tubes at different times and temperatures in the range 350-500°C. The pyrolysed samples were spectroscopically analyzed by ESR and the formed radicals were quantitatively determined. The experimental data were kinetically interpreted. The kinetic coefficients and the parameters obtained were compared with those of the reaction generating hydrocarbons. The maximum amount of radicals formed in the laboratory experiments was in a good agreement with the maximum concentration of radicals observed in kerogens of different natural maturation.