Bituminous Substance Research Articles

Comprehensive characteristics of organic matter in the Jurassic deposits of the western part of the Uvat region

Original studies of a collection of Jurassic core samples from three wells (690 m) of the areas in the Uvat region of the West Siberian oil and gas basin were carried out. The areas are located in the submeridional direction: Radonezhskaya (north), Malouimskaya (northwest) and West Turtasskaya (southwest). The aim of the work is to conduct a comparative analysis of the parameters characterizing dispersed organic matter (DOM) in core samples from Jurassic rock formations in the studied wells. The accumulation conditions and the type of DOM, its catagenetic transformation were “restored”. The quality of DOM and its ability to generate hydrocarbons have been evaluated. The main research method is pyrolytic, as it has the quality of rapid experiments with mass collections of samples. A complementary and clarifying method is scanning electron microscopy, which makes it possible to establish the bituminous substance in rocks, its interaction with the mineral matrix of the rock and authigenic minerals. Fragments of carbonized matter were studied in coal petrographic thin sections in transmitted light. The composition of microcomponents of organic matter, their transformation and the ability to generate various hydrocarbons have been specified. Thus, comprehensive studies have been carried out to objectively assess the generation potential of DOM in Jurassic rocks. Conclusions: in the J beds, DOM corresponds to types I-II of kerogen, it is catagenetically converted to the stage МКof mesocatagenesis, has good and excellent generation potential and has the ability to generate oil hydrocarbons. DOM of J-J beds corresponds to type II-III mixed kerogen, catagenetically transformed to the МК- МК stage, has a good generation potential and has the ability to generate mainly gas hydrocarbons. Samples of carbonaceous rocks and coal interlayers contain OM corresponding to type III kerogen, catagenetically transformed to the МК-МКstage, has good generation potential and is capable of generating predominantly gas hydrocarbons. (306 words).

The study of Dominican amber-bearing sediments from Siete Ca\xf1adas and La Cumbre with a discussion on their origin

The paper presents comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Dominican amber-bearing sediments from Siete Cañadas, Hato Mayor Province of the Eastern Mining District (EMD) in the Cordillera Oriental. The characteristics of rocks collected from the borehole in Siete Cañadas area (EMD) were compared with petrography of coaly shales from La Cumbre in the Northern Mining District (NMD). The mineralogy of the rocks was determined using transmitted and reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Raman Spectroscopy. Biomarker analyses by the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were used to trace the genetic source and transformation stage of organic matter hosted in the core sediments. In this study, the characteristics of rocks from La Cumbre were supplemented with the petrographic data from our studies reported earlier. Based on the findings, it has been concluded that the basins in the investigated parts of the EMD and NMD regions were likely characterized by different, isolated palaeosettings. Transformation and maturation of terrigenous material were affected by locally occurring physicochemical conditions. In both amber deposits, the sedimentation of clastic and organic material proceeded in the presence of marine conditions. In case of the La Cumbre deposit (NMD area), the sedimentation underwent probably in the conditions of the lagoon environment, a shallow maritime lake or periodically flooded plain that facilitated organic matter decomposition and carbonation from meta-lignite to sub-bituminous coal (random reflectance of coal—Rro = 0.39%). In the Siete Cañadas (EMD region), the sedimentation took place in a shallow saltwater basin, where terrigenous material was likely mixed with material found in situ (fauna fossils, carbonate-group minerals) to form the mudstones enriched in bituminous substance of low maturity. The organic matter found in the rocks from both deposits is of mixed terrestrial/marine origin and was deposited in the presence of low oxygen concentration and reducing and/or dysoxic conditions.

Influence of Amount of Filler on Thermal Resistance of Bitumen Sheets

The paper deals with the correlation between the amount of fillers and the thermal resistance of bitumen sheets under EN 1110:2011. Based on the analysis of samples of bitumen sheets used for the insulation of concrete bridges, the standard EN 14695:2010 indicates what the usual amount of fillers is and what the value of the resistance to flow at elevated temperature is. Bitumen sheets, which are used in the Czech and Slovak Republic, were used as samples. The samples represented bitumen sheets modified with polymers of elastomeric and plastmeric nature. Bitumen sheets were of two types with and without protective covering. It was found that fly ash and micro-milled limestone were used as fillers in the bituminous substance of the sheets. The dependence between the amount of fillers and the resistance to flow at elevated temperature was only confirmed in some of the bitumen sheets samples.

Geochemistry of radioactive elements in bituminous sands and sandstones of Permian bitumen deposits of Tatarstan (east of the Russian plate)

The article investigates geochemical features of Permian (Cisuralian, Ufimian Stage and Biarmian, Kazanian Stage of the General Stratigraphic Scale of Russia) bituminous sands and sandstones located on the territory of the Volga-Ural oil and gas province (Republic of Tatarstan). Natural bitumens are extracted using thermal methods as deposits of high-viscosity oils. In the samples studied, the specific activity of natural radionuclides from the 238U (226Ra), 232Th, and 40K series was measured using gamma spectrometry. As a result of the precipitation of uranium and thorium and their subsequent decay, the accumulation of radium (226Ra and 228Ra) has been shown to occur in the bituminous substance. In the process of exploitation of bitumen-bearing rock deposits (as an oil fields) radium in the composition of a water-oil mixture can be extracted to the surface or deposited on sulfate barriers, while being concentrated on the walls of pipes and other equipment. This process requires increased attention to monitoring and inspection the environmental safety of the exploitation procedure.

Lignite coal burning seam in the remote Altai Mountains harbors a hydrogen-driven thermophilic microbial community

Thermal ecosystems associated with underground coal combustion sites are rare and less studied than geothermal features. Here we analysed microbial communities of near-surface ground layer and bituminous substance in an open quarry heated by subsurface coal fire by metagenomic DNA sequencing. Taxonomic classification revealed dominance of only a few groups of Firmicutes. Near-complete genomes of three most abundant species, ‘Candidatus Carbobacillus altaicus’ AL32, Brockia lithotrophica AL31, and Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii AL33, were assembled. According to the genomic data, Ca. Carbobacillus altaicus AL32 is an aerobic heterotroph, while B. lithotrophica AL31 is a chemolithotrophic anaerobe assimilating CO2 via the Calvin cycle. H. schlegelii AL33 is an aerobe capable of both growth on organic compounds and carrying out CO2 fixation via the Calvin cycle. Phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit of RuBisCO of B. lithotrophica AL31 and H. schlegelii AL33 showed that it belongs to the type 1-E. All three Firmicutes species can gain energy from aerobic or anaerobic oxidation of molecular hydrogen, produced as a result of underground coal combustion along with other coal gases. We propose that thermophilic Firmicutes, whose spores can spread from their original geothermal habitats over long distances, are the first colonizers of this recently formed thermal ecosystem.

Porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents from pitch\u2013polymer compositions

The study results of porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents (AC) obtained from pitch–polymer compositions were presented. The compositions were carbonized and activated with steam, potassium hydroxide, and magnesium and potassium carbonates. For the obtained AC, the thermal analysis and the determination of adsorption value of iodine and porous structure by adsorption/desorption of nitrogen at 77 K were carried out. The possibility of obtained activated carbons from pitch–polymer compositions was demonstrated. The use of untypical feedstock, as an effect of combination of bituminous substance with polymeric waste and improvement of the methods of production, creates the potential possibility to produce carbon adsorbents of interesting properties and porous structure.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF COAL MACERALS FROM ORZESZE AND RUDA BEDS FROM ”PNIÓWEK” COAL MINE (UPPER SILESIAN COAL BASIN – POLAND) AS A MANIFESTATION OF THERMAL METAMORPHISM

Abstract Subject of the research were coal samples from the seams of Orzesze and Ruda beds from “Pniówek” coal mine. All samples represent methabituminous coal B, which present high vitrinite content (V mmf > 60%). Optical character of vitrinite from all analyzed coal samples is biaxial negative and it is characterized by low differentiation of bireflectance. The experiments have shown that the coal rank of investigated samples is generally decreasing with increasing both depth of coal seams and the distance between sampling point and the Carboniferous roof. It may suggests inversion of coalification. Specific types of macerals, typical for thermally metamorphosed coals have been found for all analysed coal samples. It was found, presence of such components like: fluorescing bituminous substance (FBS) filling of cellular spaces in semifusinite, fusinite, and funginite; pseudomorphs after megaspores exhibiting strong bireflectance, and anisotropic semifusinite. Petrographic components with a structure similar to structure of coke and pyrolytic carbon were observed rarely. Presence of colotelinite grains which are visible darker, impregnated with bituminous substance and exhibiting weak fluorescence may be related with influence of temperature on coal. Carbonates occur as filling of cellular spaces in semifusinite, in examined coal samples and there are the effect of thermal alteration of coal.

Burning Oil Layer on the Surface of Water

The results of investigations on combustion of Karazhanbas and Tengiz oil on the surface of water are presented. The minimum thickness of oil layer allowing to initiate and support the process of combustion is stated to be lie in the range of 3–5 mm. For ignition and maintenance of stable combustion of oil on water surface, a synthetic sorbent is proposed. It is found that, the synthetic sorbent accelerates the combustion process of oil on water surface threefold in comparison with the combustion process of oil without a sorbent. It is shown that the remaining mass of oil on water surface after combustion process termination, presents a bituminous substance having a good coalescence and high adhesion that allows to collect it with high efficiency by a mechanical method. The process of ignition and combustion of oil on the water surface is significantly affected by contained in it combustible volatiles. In this paper, on the example of oil from Tengiz field, the regularities of the influence of temperature and salinity on evaporation of light fractions and the burnout process are revealed. It is determined that the degree of water salinity does not affect the process of evaporation of light fractions of oil, this process is significantly affected by temperature water. The research has shown that the important factors that influence the degree of burning of the oil layer on the surface of water is the degree of salinity and the initial temperature of water, while these relationships are complex. Revealed that the salt water burning process more profitable to produce oil at water temperatures above 20 °C. The developed model in has been supplemented with a coefficient of thermal conductivity as a function depending on temperature. Numerical results more accurately predict the experimental observations. The reason is that thermal diffusivity is determined more precisely.

Othello’s Black Handkerchief

The handkerchief in Othello has widely been assumed to be white. This essay challenges the prevailing critical orthodoxy to argue instead for a black handkerchief, based on Othello’s description of the Egyptian marriage token as “dyed in mummy,” a black bituminous substance identified in medieval and early modern medical discourse. As a result, the handkerchief’s black cloth becomes identified with Othello’s body, recalling the stage practice of representing Africans in performance by having actors wear black cloth to mimic black skin. The black handkerchief’s citation of the performance tradition that gave rise to a textile black body reminds audiences of the role the early modern English theater played in the circulation of a material notion of black subjectivity. Finally, the essay speculates about the impact of race on our reading practices that has conditioned critics collectively, and for so long, to see a “white” handkerchief in the play.

Rare-earth elements as geochemical criteria of endogenous sources of microelements contained in oil

This article presents data on the REE contained in 50 oil samples taken from six oil and gas regions that are based on oil fraction composition analysis using ICP MS. It is shown that regardless of the geological and tectonic structure of regions, oil composition, depth of deposit occurrence, and lithology of enclosing rocks, chondritenormalized curves of REE distribution in oil are different and have a europium maximum. The europium anomaly and the regularly increasing (Eu/Sm) N and Eu/Eu* ratios under transition from asphaltene components to tars and then to oils are geochemically substantiated. Unlike oil, Devonian domanicites and Jurassic bazhenites, as well as their bituminous substance are characterized by a prominent negative europium anomaly (in the (Eu/Sm)N ratio), which is typical of sedimentary rocks, modern seawater, and the upper crust of the earth as a whole. Based on the data obtained, the conclusion on the participation of deep fluid systems in the formation of the geochemical appearance of naphtydes is made.

A Late Iron Age Cast Bronze Head Probably from Chepstow

In November 1987 a bronze highly stylized animal head was shown to me in my capacity as Curator of Newport Museum (figs. 1–3). The head which appeared to be of late Iron Age date is described below. The owner agreed to lend the piece to the Museum for conservation. The investigations included two separate metal analyses, carried out independently by Dr J. P. Northover at the University of Oxford and by R. Jones at the University of Wales, Cardiff. A black bituminous substance from horn cores on the head was analysed by C. Heron also at Cardiff; these analyses are reported below (Appendices 1–3). Additional advice was given by Dr H. N. Savory F.S.A., formerly Keeper of Archaeology at the National Museum of Wales, and by Dr I. M. Stead F.S.A. at the British Museum. Replicas were made for Newport Museum and the British Museum before the head was returned to the owner in August 1988. In July 1989, the head was purchased at auction by the Newport Museum and Art Gallery for £5,800 (Sotheby's: Antiquities,Monday 10 July and Tuesday 11 July 1989, Lot 403).

The occurrence of anthracites in an area characterized by lower rank coals in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin of Poland

The results of petrographical-geological and chemical examinations on anthracites, semianthracites and medium-low volatile bituminous coals from Jastrzebie in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin of Poland are presented. The coking coals mined in this region exhibit volatile matter V daf = 18–26%, free swelling index FSI = 3–8 and reflectance R m = 1.10–1.35% and are inertiniterich coals ( I = 25–63%). Coal Seam 504 of the Anticlinal beds (Namurian B) has been affected by thermal metamorphism and contains both coking coals and coals of higher rank. According to the criterion of Polish Standards this coal seam varies from anthracite (V daf <10%) to semianthracite (V daf = 10–14%) in rank. The carbon content is slightly lower and the hydrogen content a little higher than those of typical anthracites and semianthracites. The reflectance values ( R m = 1.56–2.62%) are generally lower than the R m values proposed by the International Committee for Coal Petrology as boundary values for anthracites and bituminous coal. The magnitude of anisotropy and microhardness were also examined. Examinations of optical properties prove that the metamorphism exhibited by the coals is the result of elevated temperature and variable pressure. The analyses of the maceral composition indicate that there is a decrease in the inertinite content in anthracites. Vitrinite exhibits the features of thermally altered coal. The micrinite content shows a little variation. In coking coals, a strongly fluorescing bituminous substance with the optical features of exsudatinite was found. The constructed geological section of Coal Seam 504 shows distinct regular changes in chemical and physical properties as well as the petrographic composition which may be caused by the heat flux of a magma intrusion, not localized so far.

低石炭化度炭における直鎖脂肪酸の存在形態

The original forms of straight-chain fatty acids in Taiheiyo coal and Joban lignite, and their carbon number distributions were investigated from the gas chromatograms of the extracts by pyridine and the saponification substances prepared by alkaliwater or alkali-methanol solution. Furthermore, the distributions of straight-chain alkanes derived by the hydrogenolysis using tetralin of the original coals and the residual coals obtained after the saponification were also discussed.The origin of straight-chain alkanes produced in coal liquids was consequently elucidated from the original forms and the distributions of straight-chain fatty acids.The original forms of straight-chain fatty acids in the coals could be distinguished clearly between free forms absorbed physically in the micropore structure and esterified form structures bonded within the bituminous or the humic substance. The predominance of odd carbon numbers over even was obserbed in the C23 to C29 straight-chain alkanes in the hydrogenolysis products of the original coals, and the C22 to C32 esterified fatty acids were present in the bituminous substance. Accordingly, it was estimated that a part of the odd carbon number alkanes was generated by scission in the positions adjacent to carbonyl groups in the esterified even carbon number fatty acids.

The nature of Karelian shungite

Optical and X-ray diffraction investigations confirm that Karelian shungite is a bituminous substance of a high level of organic metamorphism that is approximately equivalent to the meta-anthracitic stage of the coalification series. Strong absorption in the visible spectrum indicates a substantial proportion of condensed aromatic systems in the shungite molecular structure, while an intense 002 diffraction band and a distinct 10 reflection show growth of the aromatic systems in both the direction of stacking and within the layer planes. The strong preferred orientation of the molecular structure is confirmed by high optical anisotropy. Claims that shungite possesses a graphitic structure cannot be substantiated. Although the properties of fresh shungite vary from sample to sample, they do not approach those of graphite. Carbonization of shungite causes alteration of all properties examined, including an improvement in the stack height and in the layer diameter, but even when carbonized at 2900° C, there is no suggestion that graphitization has occurred in the resulting product, since there is no resolution of the 10 diffraction band, no modulation of the two-dimensional hk reflections, and there is an absence of three-dimensional graphitic hkl reflections. The original organic material and the processes giving rise to shungite are considered in relation to its present properties, its high level of thermal stability and its resistance to graphitization, with the conclusions that: (a) rise of temperature, possibly aided by flow on injection, was the principal agent responsible for the high organic metamorphic grade and the considerable degree of molecular-structural ordering of the shungite; and (b) during thermal metamorphism, the original organic matter formed a resistant and strongly cross-linked structure, due to a low H content, a high O content or both, which prevented graphitization.

A new mineral tar in Old Red Sandstone: Ross-shire

This tar, which resembles the elaterite found in the carboniferous limestone of Derbyshire, in its being somewhat elastic, is a soft lustrous black sticky substance of the consistence of wood tar, found in old red sandstone rocks in the neighbourhood of Dingwall, in close proximity to veins of that compact variety of asphalt known as Albertite. The streak of this tar is reddish brown,—that of most asphalts. It is insoluble in water, acids, and alkalies. It is equally so in alcohol. In turpentine and in paraffin oils it yields a reddish brown solution or varnish. In ether it is but partially soluble, yielding a yellowish brown solution in transmitted, a dark green in reflected, light. A compact variety from Egypt shows similar dichroism when treated with these solvents. With dry distillation this tar yields an inflammable gas, an inflammable oil, and water. It melts at 140° C. On ignition it burns with a rustling bright flame, smokes, and leaves a residue of impurities of iron peroxide and lime from included particles of iron pyrites and calcite, which the substance evidently caught up in the fissures as it flowed into them. What is interesting as to the locality of this tar is the low geological horizon on which it is found. The porous sandstone has this bituminous substance disseminated through it. Its association with the solid variety Albertite, from which it differs in most respects, physical and chemical, suggests a community of origin for both these hydrocarbons. The presence of both

Scientific Serials

American journal of Science and Arts, September.—In a second paper on the gases contained in meteorites, Mr. Wright first describes those of the Kold Bokkeveld stony meteorite, one of a distinct class containing a good deal of amorphous carbon, a bituminous substance, and very little metallic iron. The volume of the gases obtained was much greater, but the gaseous mixture was like that of ordinary stony meteorites, except in the very small quantity of hydrogen present, A comparative table is given of the gases of seven iron and six stony meteorites. From experiments on the manner of occurrence of carbon dioxide, the author infers that while some of the gas may be condensed on the fine particles of the iron, a large portion of it and of the water, carbonic oxide, and other gases, is mechanically imprisoned in the stony substance of the meteorite. The idea is favoured ot comets consisting of meteoric masses with the gases expanding under action of solar rays. Every cubic mile of a substance like the Kold Bokkeveld meteorite would give thirty cubic miles of gas at the pressure of our atmosphere, and in space this would expand enormously before it would cease to transmit electric discharges or be visible by reflected sunlight. These views are confirmed by spectroscopic observations of meteoric gases,—Mr, Storer, questioning Carius' statement that Schcenbein's iodostarch test for nitrates used with zinc as reducing agent, is not a specially delicate one, finds that the fatal defect of the test, as hitherto applied, lies in the fact that mere water containing no nitrates or nitrites, on being treated with zinc or cadmium, as if to test for a nitrate, will react on iodo-starch just as if a trace of some nitrate were present. This coloration is due to peroxide of hydrogen formed in the water by action of the metal. Mr. Storer also finds that no peroxide of hydrogen is formed when water slightly acidulated with sulphuric acid is boiled on metallic cadmium; and as the reduction of nitrates and nitrites occurs readily in such solutions, the iodo-starch test can be thus applied for detection of nitrates with great certainty.—Mr. J. Lawrence Smith gives an account of a new meteoric stone which fell in 1865 in Wisconsin, and which is identical with the Meno-meteo-rite which fell in 1861.—Mr. Brooks gives a classified list of rocks in the Huronian series south of Lake Superior, with remarks on their abundance, transitions, and geographical distribution; and Mr. Burnham furnishes a seventh catalogue of new double stars.

On a New Bituminous Substance, imported under the name of Coal from Brazil

This material was brought from Brazil to Liverpool, for the purpose of ascertaining its commercial value in this country. The importers submitted it to Dr Edwards, who reported that it yields a much larger percentage of oil than even the celebrated coal of Torbane Hill.The crude oil of the first distillation has a sp. gr. of ·859.On redistillation, a light and heavy oil are obtained from the crude oil.

On the Occurrence of a Bituminous Substance near Mountgerald

The section exposed by some deep cuttings for the Ross-shire Railway, two miles north of Dingwall, was described by Dr. Anderson in this letter. The rock in these catlings is a grey, micaceous, regularly bedded, and almost horizontal conglomerate, but exhibiting enormous convolutions and twistings of the beds. The strike is N.W. to S.E., and the rock, in some places, passes into a fine compact sandstone. It is traversed at intervals by what appear to be perpendicular veins or fissures, lined for the thickness of an inch or two with a black, shining, compact, bituminous substance having a black streak and a conchoidal fracture. It burns with smoke and flame, and becomes electrical when rubbed; and it does not exhibit any trace of organized matter. Its composition is said to be similar to that of the Albertite of New Brunswiek. A bituminous substance has long been found in veins at Strathpeffer in quantities sufficient for burning in the neighbouring cottages. To what extent these veins may go down in the adjoining rocks is not known. At Mountgerald the seams are not thicker than an inch or two; but in the beds of the Boulder-clay, immediately above the sandstone-conglomerate, small pieces of the coaly matter occur in abundance. The bituminous shale comes in near the sandstone-conglomerate in which the black matter occurs, and, as the author believes, above it; and he traced the former thence over the ridges looking down on the Cromarty Firth as for as into Strathskea.

On the Occurrence of a Bituminous Mineral at Mountgerald, Scotland

The author first gave a history of the discovery of this bituminous substance at Monutgerald, stating that it was first noticed about fifteen years ago, by the tenant of the farm of Woodlands (Mr. M'Ewan), whilst making a drain. The farmer followed the seam as far as he was able, and procured several cartloads of the mineral, which he used as fuel. Mr. Mackenzie then noticed the similarity of this substance to the Albertite of New Brunswick; he also stated that he first saw it, about five years ago, in a field on the farm of Woodlands, and that, more recently, a railway-cutting on the farm of Mount Rich, 400 yards south-east of the former locality, enabled, him to make the following observations regarding its mode of occurrence. The line of railway here passes through a cutting in what is called the Craig, and it was in this cutting that further quantities of the mineral were discovered, from which the specimens in the Society's possession were taken. Where the cutting commences, about 1¼ mile from Dingwall, the rock consists of a grey sandstone similar to that of the Tulloch Quarry, and having a north-west dip; but the strata are much disturbed and broken. The beds continue for about 18 yards, at the end of which space there appears a shaly rock mixed with clay, dipping north at a sharp angle, and underlying the sandstone for about 12 yards.

Some account of two mummies of the Egyptian Ibis, one of which was in a remarkably perfect state

After some general observations on the art of embalming, as it was practised by the ancient Egyptians, and on the various kinds of animals embalmed by them, Mr. Pearson proceeds to- give a particular description of the very perfect mummy of an Ibis, which forms the chief subject of the present paper. This mummy was taken out of the catacombs at Thebes, by the late Major Hayes, in the year 1802 or 1803. It was enveloped in cloth, and contained in an earthen jar, similar to those which are found at Saccara. Upon unrolling the bandage with which the mummy was covered, it was found to consist of strips of cloth, about three inches broad, which were strong and firm. The first circumvolutions of this cloth separated easily; but as the work proceeded, they were found to adhere more firmly, and at last were so closely united, that it was necessary to divide them by means of a strong knife. Each layer of cloth seemed to have been imbued with some bituminous substance in a liquid state; and the bandages were further secured by means of thread, in such a manner that the whole mass was rendered firm and coherent; when the bandage was removed, the bird appeared to be covered with the same kind of bituminous substance that had cemented the strips of cloth. As much of this substance as could be removed without injuring the bird was now carefully taken off; and after the labour of several hours, Mr. Pearson succeeded in displaying the whole bird as it had been originally deposited by the embalmer.