Saturated Fraction Research Articles

Interactions between Moisture and Tropical Convection. Part II: The Convective Coupling of Equatorial Waves

AbstractThe exponential increase in precipitation with increasing column saturation fraction (CSF) is used to investigate the role of moisture in convective coupling. This simple empirical relationship between precipitation and CSF is shown to capture nearly all MJO-related variability in TRMM precipitation, ~80% of equatorial Rossby wave–related variability, and ~75% of east Pacific easterly wave–related variability. In contrast, this empirical relationship only captures roughly half of TRMM precipitation variability associated with Kelvin waves, African easterly waves, and mixed Rossby–gravity waves, suggesting coupling mechanisms other than moisture are playing leading roles in these phenomena. These latter phenomena have strong adiabatically forced vertical motions that could reduce static stability and convective inhibition while simultaneously moistening, creating a more favorable convective environment. Cross-spectra of precipitation and column-integrated dry static energy show enhanced coherence and an out-of-phase relationship in the Kelvin wave, mixed Rossby–gravity wave, and eastward inertio-gravity wave bands, supporting this narrative. The cooperative modulation of precipitation by moisture and temperature anomalies is shown to shorten the convective adjustment time scale (i.e., time scale by which moisture and precipitation are relaxed toward their “background” state) of these phenomena. Speeding the removal of moisture anomalies relative to that of temperature anomalies may allow the latter to assume a more important role in driving moist static energy fluctuations, helping promote the gravity wave character of these phenomena.

Interactions between Moisture and Tropical Convection. Part I: The Coevolution of Moisture and Convection

AbstractRealistically representing the multiscale interactions between moisture and tropical convection remains an ongoing challenge for weather prediction and climate models. In this study, we revisit the relationship between precipitation and column saturation fraction (CSF) by investigating their tendencies in CSF–precipitation space using satellite and radar observations, as well as reanalysis. A well-known, roughly exponential increase in precipitation occurs as CSF increases above a “critical point,” which acts as an attractor in CSF–precipitation space. Each movement away from and subsequent return toward the attractor results in a small net change of the coupled system, causing it to evolve in a cyclical fashion around the attractor. This cyclical evolution is characterized by shallow and convective precipitation progressively moistening the environment and strengthening convection, stratiform precipitation progressively weakening convection, and drying in the nonprecipitating and lightly precipitation regime. This behavior is evident across a range of spatiotemporal scales, suggesting that shortcomings in model representation of the joint evolution of convection and large-scale moisture will negatively impact a broad range of spatiotemporal scales. Novel process-level diagnostics indicate that several models, all implementing versions of the Zhang–McFarlane deep convective parameterization, exhibit unrealistic coupling between column moisture and convection.

Catalytic Aquathermolysis of Boca de Jaruco Heavy Oil with Nickel-Based Oil-Soluble Catalyst

This paper investigates aquathermolysis of heavy oil in carbonate reservoir rocks from Boca de Jaruco, which is developed by the cyclic steam stimulation method. The nickel-based catalyst precursor was introduced in order to intensify the conversion processes of heavy oil components. The active form of such catalysts—nickel sulfides—are achieved after steam treatment of crude oil at reservoir conditions. The experiments were carried out on a rock sample extracted from the depth of 1900 m. Changes in composition and structure of heavy oil after the conversion were identified using SARA-analysis, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy of saturated fractions, FTIR spectroscopy of saturated fractions, and MALDI of resins. It is revealed that catalyst particles provide a reduction in the content of resins and asphaltenes due to the destruction of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Moreover, the destruction of C=Carom. bonds and interactions with aromatic rings are heightened. In contrast, the results of experiments in the absence of catalysts exposed polymerization and condensation of aromatic rings. The most remarkable result to emerge from the thermo-catalytic influence is the irreversible viscosity reduction of produced crude oil enhancing the oil recovery factor. Moreover, the introduction of catalysts increases the gas factor due to additional gas generation as a result of aquathermolysis reactions. The yield of methane gas is significantly high in the experimental runs with oil-saturated rocks rather than crude oil experiments. The gas factor reaches 45 m3/ton.

Environmental forensics of complexly contaminated sites: A complimentary fingerprinting approach

The environmental forensics approach is most often applied in petroleum and fuel spill incidents, for which sophisticated chemical fingerprinting procedures have evolved. In cases in which pollutant discharges occur in settings with prior contamination, more care must be taken in source discrimination, requiring further advances in methodology. Additional obstacles can arise if the spill is an atypical industrial discharge. This would necessitate painstaking characterization of unfamiliar substances lying outside of existing regulatory regimes and thus overlooked by mandated analytical protocols (i.e., contaminants of emerging concern). Towards these ends, this paper presents a systematic, multi-faceted GC-MS approach using the saturated, aromatic, and resin fractions of contaminated soil extracts, alongside soil thermal desorption and analytical pyrolysis of the soil and its asphaltene fraction. This complimentary “extract + thermal” approach is applied to a typical fuel oil spill, sediments of a severely-impacted urban river, and brownfield soils from coke, petrochemical, and Hg-As pyrometallurgical plants. The insights thus attained can serve to better inform brownfield remediation planning in the public interest.

Hepatic saturated fatty acid fraction is associated with de novo lipogenesis and hepatic insulin resistance

Hepatic steatosis is associated with poor cardiometabolic health, with de novo lipogenesis (DNL) contributing to hepatic steatosis and subsequent insulin resistance. Hepatic saturated fatty acids (SFA) may be a marker of DNL and are suggested to be most detrimental in contributing to insulin resistance. Here, we show in a cross-sectional study design (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03211299) that we are able to distinguish the fractions of hepatic SFA, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids in healthy and metabolically compromised volunteers using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). DNL is positively associated with SFA fraction and is elevated in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. Intriguingly, SFA fraction shows a strong, negative correlation with hepatic insulin sensitivity. Our results show that the hepatic lipid composition, as determined by our 1H-MRS methodology, is a measure of DNL and suggest that specifically the SFA fraction may hamper hepatic insulin sensitivity.

SAP fractions from light, medium and heavy oils: Correlation between chemical profile and stationary phases

The chemical composition of oil samples is fundamentally important for planning the recovery, transportation and refining processes of the oil industry. In this work, we examined how stationary phase affects the recovery of non-retained substances and the separation of saturated, aromatic and polar fractions from different density oils by column chromatography. We evaluated four stationary phases: silica gel, alumina, strong anion exchange (SAX) and C-18 silica gel, the latter being the only nonpolar one. The experiment was carried out in quintuplicate and the fractions obtained were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and positive-ion mode electrospray ionization FT-ICR mass spectrometry (ESI(+)-FT-ICR MS). The influence of the stationary phase on the separation of the various classes of substances found in petroleum was observed by chemometrics. For saturated compounds, light and medium oils presented n-paraffins, iso-paraffins, naphthenes, terpanes and steranes, while heavy oil presented intense biodegradation, with a higher concentration of terpanes and steranes. When heavy oil was fractionated with C-18 silica gel, the presence of n-paraffins could also be observed. Alumina generated a saturated fraction, that was less contaminated with aromatics, and it showed a separation capacity similar to that of silica gel and SAX. For aromatics, all stationary phases generated fractions contaminated with saturated compounds, and polar fractions showed a greater presence of basic heteroaromatics compounds containing predominantly one nitrogen. A more reliable SAP separation of crude oil fractions depends on their density.

Novel geochemical proxies derived from 1D simulation of Liaohe oil sand bitumen to monitor in-situ combustion process

1-D combustion tube in-situ combustion (ISC) simulation experiment has been performed on a natural bitumen bearing core. Five ISC zones were distinguished on the basis of the temperature filed and oil saturation analysis of the experiment. A suite of six oil sand residues at different locations after ISC simulation (initial, oil bank, condensation, coking, combustion zone and burned zone, respectively) were obtained for further analysis by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to assess the ISC impact and possible proxies monitoring the ISC process. Compounds in the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions change systematically with increasing temperatures. The concentrations of various compound classes increase generally from the initial zone to the combustion zone, then decrease drastically in the burned zone. However, different compounds show distinct behaviors during ISC and several geochemical proxies were temporary proposed. The amount of light molecular weighted n-alkanes increases significantly, while isoprenoids and heavy molecular weighted n-alkanes show the same trend but less dramatic changes. The ratios of n-C17/pristane (Pr) and n-C18/pyhtane (Ph) and ∑n-C20−/∑n-C20+ increase continuously from the initial zone to the combustion zone and clearly reflect ISC impact. A similar proxy can be derived from the ratio of summed n-alkanes to summed pentacyclic terpanes (∑n-alkanes/∑PTs), which increase more perceptibly due to easy decomposition of biomarkers. In the aromatic fraction, the most sensitive proxy to monitor ISC is derived from degree of alkylation of aromatic homologues. Non-substituted compounds especially naphthalene and phenanthrene increase constantly from the initial zone to the burned zone accompanied by the depletion of highly alkylated counterparts. Some newly formed compounds such as 2-methylanthracene and benz[a]anthracene are defined combustion evidence. However, commonly used maturity parameters based on relative stability of different isomers show no significant variation and cannot serve as valid ISC proxies.

Alveolar Dead-Space Fraction and Arterial Saturation Predict Postoperative Course in Fontan Patients.

Fontan surgery, the final surgical stage in single ventricle palliation, redirects systemic venous blood into the pulmonary circulation for gas exchange. A decrease in pulmonary blood flow can lead to major complications and grave outcomes. Alveolar dead-space fraction represents the portion of inhaled air that does not participate in gas exchange and hence quantifies ventilation-perfusion abnormalities in the lung. Increased alveolar dead-space fraction has been associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and worse outcome after congenital heart surgery. The association of alveolar dead-space fraction with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing Fontan operation has not been reported. None. A retrospective charts review of all pediatric patients who underwent Fontan surgery during June 2010-November 2018 in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Associations between alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation to a composite outcome (surgical or catheter-based intervention, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, prolonged ventilation, prolonged hospital length of stay, or death) were explored. Secondary endpoints were parameters of severity of illness, chest drainage duration, and length of stay. Of 128 patients undergoing Fontan operation, 34 met criteria for composite outcome. Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly higher in the composite (0.33 ± 0.14) versus control (0.25 ± 0.26; p = 0.016) group. Alveolar dead-space fraction greater than or equal to 0.29 indicated a 37% increase in risk to meet composite criteria. Admission arterial oxygen saturation was significantly lower in composite versus control group (93.4% vs 97.1%; p = 0.005). Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly associated with increased durations of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, duration of thoracic drainage, and parameters of severity of illness. Alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial saturation may predict complicated postoperative course in patients undergoing the Fontan operation.

Determination of biological markers of organic substances in sediment and soil samples by gas chromatography

Abstract Once they reach the environment, petroleum hydrocarbons undergo various chemical, physico-chemical and biochemical transformation processes. Organic compounds which are not or are very poorly subject to these processes are thermodynamically the most stable isomers and they are called biological markers (biomarkers). This paper presents the results of the determination of organic substances in twelve samples taken in the area of the city of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Two soil samples were taken in the Banja Luka city heating plant area and ten river sediment and soil samples were taken in the upper and lower basin of the Vrbas river in the Banja Luka city area. The aim of this study was to determine the biomarkers of oil-type pollutants in contaminated samples as well as the type of organic substances in samples taken near the contaminated area. Assisted solvent extraction was used to isolate the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from all twelve samples. Fractionation of the extracts into saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions was performed by column chromatography. The fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). On basis of the obtained chromatograms, biomarkers of petroleum pollutants and specific correlation parameters of organic substances in the samples were determined. The dominance of n-alkanes with odd C atoms as well as the presence of an unresolved complex mixture (UCM) on chromatograms of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons showed the presence of anthropogenic organic substances of petroleum origin in the analyzed samples. Based on the obtained chromatograms, it can be concluded that microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in all samples occurred.

Investigation on self-healing of neat and polymer modified asphalt binders

The paving asphalts have long been recognized to be capable of self-healing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the healing potential of asphalt binders and investigate its relationship with molecular characteristics in terms of composition and structures. Five neat and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) modified asphalt binders were characterized using the recently developed linear amplitude sweep-based healing test. The data were analyzed based on the viscoelastic continuum damage theory to establish healing master curves and determine the healing rate HR. Chemical evaluation methods included saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes fractionation, gel permeation chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results indicated that the presence of more light/low-polarity fractions of saturates and aromatics or higher concentrations of small molecules promoted healing, as these molecules were expected to have higher mobility facilitating molecular diffusion across crack interfaces. Lower percentages of aromatic ring structures and more aliphatic chains corresponded to higher healing rates. The SBS-modified asphalt binders contained higher concentrations of aromatic rings, but still provided comparable healing potential with the neat asphalts.

Assessment of biowaste composting process for industrial support tool development through macro data approach

This study aims to assess composting efficiency and quality of compost through the study of the parameters of the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC) data-base by developing indicators useful for industrial sector. The study includes 17 composting plants for an 8-years period (2010–2017), the quantities of materials treated and generated in these plants: biowaste, yard trimmings, refuse and compost, as well as chemical characterization of compost: moisture, total organic matter, organic nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, self-heating test, pollutants and ammonium. Plant were sorted into 4 size classes depending on size capacity and into 4 technologies employed during thermophilic phase.Different indicators were developed related to improper fraction content, yard trimmings ratio, mass losses, compost production, refuse generation and plant saturation. The main average results indicate that improper fraction is 10%, process losses 68%, refuse generated 25% and saturation 79%. Differences were observed in size and technology; for instance, smaller plants presented lower improper content, refuse and saturation and higher losses while plants with turned windrows during decomposition presented higher improper, yard trimmings ratio and plants with vessel technology showed lower losses and higher saturation. Also, the compost quality is higher if the plant saturation and improper fraction are below 90% and 7%, respectively. The indicators were useful to assess the process and were related to the compost quality obtained.

Petroleum sources in the Xihu Depression, East China Sea: Evidence from stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes and isoprenoids

In order to better understand the relative contributions of various source rocks for petroleum in the Xihu Depression, East China Sea Basin, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the saturated and aromatic fractions and carbon isotopic analyses of the purified n-alkanes and isoprenoids were performed. The molecular composition and individual n-alkane and isoprenoid carbon isotope compositions were determined for oils and extracts of Paleogene mudstones (TOC: 0.45–2.3%), carbonaceous mudstones (12.7–19.6%), and coals (48–60%) in the Xihu Depression, so as to discriminate the hydrocarbon sources of coals and associated mudstones to the petroleum generated in the basin. Abundant diterpanes (e.g., isopimarane, phyllocladane) are present in all the samples. The differences in the δ13C values of pristane and phytane indicate separate origins for the isoprenoids. A general negative sloping profile with increasing n-alkane carbon chain length was observed in coals, mudstones and oils from the Huangyan oilfield, with individual n-alkane δ13C values between −25.6‰ and −34.4‰. These values are characteristic of the isotopic compositions of C3 plants, and are also typical of fluvial/lacustrine depositional settings. The isotope compositions of individual n-alkanes from the extracts of coals and mudstones correlate with the relative concentration of terrigenous higher plant-derived diterpenoids, which suggests that plant phyla/classes (for example gymnosperm-derived diterpanes versus angiosperm-derived diterpanes) may be a control on the carbon isotope profiles of n-alkanes. For samples dominated by terrigenous organic matter, long chain n-alkanes with a large proportion of gymnosperm input are approximately 2–3‰ enriched in 13C relative to those with angiosperm input, regardless of lithology. The connections between the oils, coals, and mudstones allow determination of the patterns and variations for different hydrocarbon contributions, and provide a way of differentiating specific source contributions to petroleum in the Xihu Depression. Oils generated from the coals have heavier δ13C values with increasing chain length within a narrow range (approx. 2–3‰) and have more heterotrophic origins, whereas oils from the mudstones are more depleted in 13C with increasing carbon number (n-C20-31) and have a greater derivation from land plants. The 825B oils in the Huangyan oilfield have a greater angiosperm-sourced hydrocarbon contribution than those of the 825AD oils, which have a greater gymnosperm-sourced hydrocarbon contribution. The tricyclic and tetracyclic diterpanes and the isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes and isoprenoids may be useful in differentiating contributions of coals and associated mudstones to petroleum.

The performance of intravoxel-incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging derived hypoxia for the risk stratification of prostate cancer in peripheral zone

PurposeTo assess the association between intravoxel-incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM) derived hypoxia and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PCa) and to explore its contribution to the risk stratification of PCa. MethodsSeventy-five peripheral zone (PZ) PCa patients, who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), were included in this study. Systematic ultrasound guided biopsy was used as reference. IVIM was acquired with 5 b values (b = 0∼750 s/mm2). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure tissue diffusion (Ds), volume fraction of pseudo-diffusion (fp), hypoxic fraction (HFDWI), hypoxia score (HSDWI) and relative oxygen saturation(rOSDWI), were calculated and histogram analysis was applied. Groups comparison was performed between low-intermediate-grade group (LG, the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason Grade (GG) ≤2) and high-grade (HG, ISUP GG ≥ 3) group. The correlation between diffusion parameters and ISUP GG was assessed. Cross-validated Support Vector Machine (SVM) Classification was performed and compared with univariate ROC analysis to explore the risk stratification of PZ PCa. ResultsMean, median, and the 10th percentile of Ds differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05). Several parameters significantly correlated with ISUP grade, and the 10th percentile of Ds showed the strongest correlation (ρ= − 0.284). The prediction model containing IVIM derived hypoxia yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) ranging 0.749–0.786 for cross-validation. The AUCs of the SVM modeling were higher than that of any single parameter. ConclusionIVIM derived hypoxia demonstrated significant correlation with the aggressiveness of PCa. It’s supplemental to the MRI assessment of PCa with a promising stratification of risk stratification of PZ PCa.

НАСЫЩЕННЫЕ И АРОМАТИЧЕСКИЕ УГЛЕВОДОРОДЫ-БИОМАРКЕРЫ В НЕФТЯХ БАЙКИТСКОЙ АНТЕКЛИЗЫ

Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью расширения ресурсной базы в месторождениях Байкитской антеклизы. Нахождение двух типов нефтей может быть обязано дополнительному источнику, что повышает перспективы района. Однако вариации в составе нефтей могут быть также связаны с высоким катагенезом и миграционными эффектами, поэтому необходима оценка влияния этих факторов на состав нефтей. Цель: определить влияние генетического, катагенетического и миграционного факторов на углеводороды-биомаркеры нефтей Байкитской антеклизы, выделить районы преимущественного влияния каждого из них. Объекты: нефти Байкитской антеклизы. Методы: сопоставление характеристик углеводородов-биомаркеров, полученных с помощью хромато-масс-спектрометрии, в насыщенной и ароматической фракциях нефтей, оценка влияния на их состав вклада из разных нефтематеринских формаций, катагенеза и миграции, группировка нефтей по преобладанию влияния этих факторов. Результаты. Дана характеристика углеводородов-биомаркеров насыщенной и ароматической фракций нефтей рифейских и вендских коллекторов Байкитской антеклизы. На основании этих характеристик, отличающихся от полученных ранее характеристик наиболее распространенных и типичных древних нефтей Сибирской платформы, сделано заключение о влиянии вклада из верхнерифейской ирэмэкенской толщи в двух нефтях на востоке Куюмбинского месторождения, а также влияние вклада из вероятно вендских нефтематеринских формаций в нефтях из вендских коллекторов. Главными фактором формирования состава большинства нефтей Куюмбинского месторождения был высокий катагенез, усиленный за счет миграционных эффектов в сторону обогащения низкомолекулярными соединениями. Вероятно, несколько нефтей являются смесью двух компонентов, имеющих разный катагенез, причём более преобразованный обогащён насыщенными, в том числе циклическими, соединениями, а менее преобразованный – ароматическими.

Interstitial diffuse optical probe with spectral fitting to measure dynamic tumor hypoxia

Understanding the dynamic nature of tumor hypoxia is vital for cancer therapy. The presence of oxygen within a tumor during radiation therapy increases the likelihood of local control. We used a novel interstitial diffuse optical probe to make real-time measurements of blood volume fraction and hemoglobin oxygen saturation within a tumor at a high temporal resolution. This device was initially characterized and benchmarked using a customized vessel designed to control hemoglobin oxygen saturation and blood volume in a solution of blood with different concentrations of an oxygen scavenger, tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride. The optical device was found to consistently monitor the changes in oxygen saturation and these changes correlated to the concentration of the oxygen scavenger added. In near-simultaneous measurements of blood volume and oxygen saturation in tumor-bearing mice, the changes in blood volume fraction and oxygen saturation measured with the interstitial diffuse optical probe were benchmarked against photoacoustic imaging system to track and compare temporal dynamics of oxygen saturation and blood volume in a patient-derived xenograft model of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Positive correlations between our device and photoacoustic imaging in measuring blood volume and oxygen saturation were observed.

Study of the Effect of Inhibitors Solutions on the Chemical Composition of Waxes by Rheology Tests and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Wax deposit is of a great concern in the petroleum industry and causes partial or total blockage of the pipelines. In this work, four Brazilian crude oils (P1-P4) and five inhibitors solutions (I1-I5) were used associating rheology results to understand, at a molecular level, the characteristics of the saturated fractions by high-resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source) and two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS). The effectiveness of wax inhibitors can be demonstrated by the viscosity decrement. The characterization of the saturated fractions by GC × GC-MS and high resolution mass spectrometry showed that is possible to conclude that inhibitor I1 favored the inhibition process of paraffins when oils have a smaller and monocyclic saturated chain hydrocarbon (HC) profiles, whereas for oils with larger amounts of polycyclic chain HCs, the inhibitor I4 appeared to be the alternative.

Biomarkers of Oligocene lacustrine source rocks, Beibuwan-Song Hong basin junction, offshore northern Vietnam

Abstract Highly oil prone source rocks containing sapropelic Type I and mixed Types I and III kerogen are found in 233 m of the 500 m deep, fully cored ENRECA-3 well drilled on Bach Long Vi Island, located at the junction between the Beibuwan and the Song Hong basins offshore northern Vietnam. The cored succession is made up entirely by Oligocene, deep lacustrine deposits. The origin of the organic matter (OM) in 62 samples is evaluated on the basis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS and GC-MS/MS). OM in 55 samples is sourced primarily from lacustrine organisms and contains abundant 4-methylsteranes, tetracyclic polyprenoids (TPP) and lycopane, and no markers for marine organic matter. The proportion of triterpanes derived from angiosperms is low in most saturated fractions and only traces of gymnosperm diterpanes are detected. In contrast, all aromatic fractions have a high proportion of compounds having an origin from both gymnosperms and angiosperms. Very high concentrations of hopanoids in both fractions suggest significant bacterial alteration of the original OM. Most samples have a high concentration of rare C31 diaromatic 8,14-secohopanes with a fluorene moiety. Low pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios indicate that anoxic/suboxic bottom water conditions existed during OM accumulation. The presence of β-carotane, gammacerane and traces of arylisoprenoids could indicate a stratified water column. OM in a few samples with lower than average hydrogen index (HI) is mainly of terrestrial origin with a higher proportion of C29 steranes, diterpanes and oleanoids and lower concentrations of both saturated and aromatic hopanes. Higher Pr/Ph, a higher C34 isohopane ratio (IHR34) and a lower homohopane index (HHI) indicate that this low-HI OM was originally deposited under more oxic conditions and subsequently transported to deeper water. Low sterane and hopane isomerization ratios show that no samples have reached the oil-window. Some novel maturity parameters for immature lacustrine samples are proposed.

Saturated random packing built of arbitrary polygons under random sequential adsorption protocol.

Random packings and their properties are a popular and active field of research. Numerical algorithms that can efficiently generate them are useful tools in their study. This paper focuses on random packings produced according to the random sequential adsorption (RSA) protocol. Developing the idea presented by G. Zhang [Phys. Rev. E 97, 043311 (2018)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.97.043311], where saturated random packings built of regular polygons were studied, we create an algorithm that generates strictly saturated packings built of any polygons. Then, the algorithm was used to determine the packing fractions for arbitrary triangles. The highest mean packing density, 0.552814±0.000063, was observed for triangles of side lengths 0.63:1:1. Additionally, microstructural properties of such packings, kinetics of their growth, as well as distributions of saturated packing fractions and the number of RSA iterations needed to reach saturation were analyzed.

Oil Generation from the Immature Organic Matter after Artificial Neutron Irradiation

Organic-rich shale often receives high doses of radiation from radionuclides, mostly uranium (U). Natural decay of U releases particles and energy simultaneously. Thermal stress is considered to be conducive to organic matter (OM) maturation and petroleum generation and has always been taken into account in the simulation of basin thermal evolution. However, for the particles and their bombardment, the effect is still unclear. The main reason is that the half-life of U is up to 4.5 billion years; it is impossible to monitor the effect of U natural decay in the laboratory. Here, we implemented a thermal neutron irradiation experiment in a nuclear reactor using immature Type-II organic matter, to activate and accelerate the natural decay of U. Radiogenic heat was designed to be removed with the circulating water at room temperature to reduce the potential effect of thermal degradation. Oil generated from the irradiated organic matter confirmed that particle bombardment from the U natural decay promoted oil production, with a maximum yield of 19.5 mg g–1 TOC. The oil produced was rich in asphaltene, aromatic compounds, and high-molecular-weight compounds, and also had abundant low-maturity and intermediate products (e.g., alkenes, prist-1-ene, C27-hop-17(21)-ene, and moretanes) in the saturated fraction. These results indicated that particle bombardment led to the radiolytic cracking of C–C bonds, different from the traditional thermal degradation processes. Therefore, as a function of time and content, the natural irradiation from U decay should be taken into account, when evaluating the petroleum resources of Paleozoic and Proterozoic U-rich source rocks.

Use of Chemometric Methods of Data Analysis for the Identification and Typification of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

A method for identifying straits of rocket kerosene (RG-1 and T-1 brands) and various types of hydrocarbon fuels (aviation fuel TC-1 and diesel fuel) in soil has been developed. The proposed version of identification is based on the preliminary separation of the main components by gas chromatography and their mass spectrometric detection followed by the processing of the data obtained by chemometric methods of analysis (principal component analysis and projection on latent structures with discriminant analysis) using the “MZmineZ,” “iMet-Q,” and “MetaboAnalyst” software. A possibility of the application of the developed approach to the typification of saturated oil fractions of different origin is illustrated.