Preparation of phosphorus-modified PITQ-13 catalysts and their performance in 1-butene catalytic cracking

A series of phosphorus-modified PITQ-13 catalysts was prepared by wet impregnation of NH4H2PO4 solution into an HITQ-13 parent. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, N2 adsorption, MAS NMR and NH3-TPD. Their catalytic performance in 1-butene catalytic cracking was evaluated in a fixed fluidized bed reactor. The results showed that the crystallinity, surface area and pore volume of P-modified PITQ-13 catalysts decreased with the increasing amounts of P. The number of weak acid sites increased, whereas that of strong acidity decreased. The selectivity to propylene in 1-butene cracking reactions increased because of the decrease in strong acidity. The yield of propylene achieved 41.6% over PITQ-13-2 catalyst with a P content of 1.0 wt%, which was 5.1% greater than that achieved over HITQ-13 catalyst.

Identification of bacterial fossils in marine source rocks in South China

Based on the results of conventional geochemistry analysis including thin sections and SEM observations, different shapes of bacterial fossils, with size ranging from dozens of nanometers to several microns, were discovered in the low-mature marine source rocks and coal seams in South China, of which the Permian source rocks were dominated by the bacterial fossils derived from symbiotic sulphur bacteria with gypsum, and the Chengkou section in the Cambrian strata were occupied by abundant nanoscale bacterial fossils with rod and bar shapes. In contrast, a large quantity of possible bacterial fossils found in the high-mature Permian, Silurian, and Cambrian source rocks using SEM need to be further explored. Despite this,this study has indicated that bacterial fossils were prevalent in the source rocks, such as mudstone, siliceous rock and gypsum-bearing coal seams in South China, which has been ignored before. It also suggests that the bacterial fossils may play an important role in the formation and accumulation of shale gas in the geological history.

Geological characteristics and shale gas distribution of carboniferous mudstones in the Tarim Basin,China

Extant research on Paleozoic mudstone is well developed in the Tarim Basin, while the research on Carboniferous mudstone is relatively weak. Through systematic study of lithology, geochemical characteristics,reservoir characteristics and gas–bearing properties of Carboniferous mudstone in the Tarim Basin, this study aims to provide a geological basis for the Paleozoic shale gas exploration and development, favorable zone optimization, and resource potential evaluation in the Tarim Basin. The results show that the sedimentary environments of organic-rich mudstone in the study area were mainly basin facies and slope facies. Lithology is dominated by black carbonaceous mudstone, followed by calcareous mudstone, siliceous mudstone, and siliceous rocks. Mudstone is mainly developed in the Kalashayi Formation,which is located in the Bachu and Markit slope belt, with the cumulative thickness of 30–200 m. The organic carbon content is commonly more than 0.4%, and the organic matter types are type II and type III. Thermal evolution degree is widely distributed from a low mature to over mature stage, and different tectonic units have a greater difference. The contents of quartz plus feldspar are between 12% and 82.5%, with an average of 45.8%. Thecontent distribution of clay mineral is from 12% to 57%,with an average of 38.2%. Carbonate minerals(mainly siderite) content is below 50%. The brittle mineral content of the mudstone is approximately 65%, with a strong compressibility, and the mudstone has the material basis of forming crack and natural fracture. Microscopic pores in micro–nanometer level are well developed in the mudstone, including micro bedding joint, microcrack,interbedded pores of clay mineral, nanoscale intragranular or edge pores in the massive organic matter, bioclastic micropores, and mineral dissolution pores, etc. According to the standards provided by the Ministry of Land and Resources in China, the Kalashayi Formation in Bamai Area is a favorable area for shale gas development.

Carbon isotope evidence for shale gas preservation conditions and large methane release over million years:A case study of shale gas reservoirs of Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations in the Sichuan Basin

Although carbon isotope reversal and its reasons in shale gas reservoirs have been widely recognized,the application of the reversal is yet to be investigated.A study on high-maturity shale from Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations in the Sichuan Basin not only reveals the relationship between the degree of isotopes inversion and the production capacity(e.g.,estimated ultimate recovery(EUR))of the gas well but also indicates the preservation conditions of shale gas reservoirs.(1)Although there are differences in gas isotopes in different shale gas reservoirs,the isotope fractionation of shale gas is small during the production stage of gas wells,even when the wellbore pressure drops to zero.The main cause of the difference in carbon isotopes and their inversion degree can be the uplift time during the Yanshan period and the formation pressure relief degree of shale gas reservoirs in distinct structural positions.Thus,carbon isotope inversion is a good indicator of shale gas preservation condition and EUR of shale gas wells.(2)The degree of carbon isotope inversion correlates strongly with shale gas content and EUR.The calculation formula of shale-gas recoverable reserves was established using△δ^(13)C(δC_(1)-δC_(2))and EUR.(3)The gas loss rate and total loss amount can be estimated using the dynamic reserves and isotopic difference values of gas wells in various shale gas fields,which also reflects the current methane loss,thereby demonstrating great potential for evaluating global methane loss in shales.