PYROLYSIS OF SUNNYSIDE (UTAH) TAR SAND: CHARACTERIZATION OF VOLATILE COMPOUND EVOLUTION

Sunnyside (Utah) tar sand was subjected to programmed temperature pyrolysis and the volatile products were detected by tandem on-line mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in real time analyses. A heating rate of 4°C/min from room temperature to 900°C was employed.

Evolution of hydrogen, light hydrocarbons, nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing compounds was monitored by MS or MS/MS detection. Evolution of volatile organic compounds occurred in two regimes: 1) low temperature (maximum evolution at 150 to 175°C), corresponding to entrained organics, and 2) high temperature (maximum evolution at 440 to 460°C), corresponding to cracking of large organic components. Alkanes and alkenes of two carbons and higher had temperatures of maximum evolution at approximately 440°C, and methane at approximately 474°C. Aromatic hydrocarbons had temperatures of maximum evolution slightly higher, at approximately 450° C. Some nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-'ccntaining compounds were also detected in the volatile products.

Comparing the Sunnyside pyrolysis to the pyrolysis of other domestic tar sands indicated the following for hydrocarbon evolution: 1) the evolution of entrained organics relative to the total evolution was much less for Sunnyside tar sand, 2) the temperatures of maximum evolution of hydrocarbons due t o cracking reactions were slightly lower, and 3) the temperatures of maximum evolution for benzene and toluene are slightly higher than observed for other tar sands.

In general, the noncondensible gases, H₂, CO, and CO₂, exhibited evolution associated with hydrocarbon cracking reactions, and high temperature evolution associated with mineral decomposition, the water-gas shift reaction, and gasification reactions. Pyrolysis yields were dominated by the evolution of carbon oxides and water. The CO₂ primarily appeared t o cane from the decomposition of carbonate minerals. Compared t o other domestic tar sands, the gas evolution reflected more mineral decomposition character for Sunnyside tar sand.