Physical-Rheological Properties and Performances of Rejuvenated(Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene)Asphalt with Polymerized-MDI and Aromatic Oil

Traditional asphalt rejuvenators,like aromatic oil(AO),are known to be effective in improving the low-temperature properties and fatigue performances of aged SBS(styrene-butadiene-styrene)modified asphalt(SBSMA)binders and mixtures.However,these rejuvenators inevitably compromise their high-temperature properties and deformation resistances because they dilute asphalt binder but do not fix the damaged structures of aged SBS.In this study,a highly-active chemical called polymerized 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate(PMDI)was used to assist the traditional AO asphalt rejuvenator.The physical and rheological characteristics of rejuvenated SBSMA binders and the moisture-induced damage and rut deformation performances of corresponding mixtures were comparatively evaluated.The results showed that the increasing proportion of AO compromises the hightemperature property and hardness of aged SBSMA binder,and an appropriate amount of PMDI works to compensate such losses;3%rejuvenator at mass ratio of AO:PMDI=70:30 can have a rejuvenated SBSMA binder with a high-temperature performance similar to that of fresh binder,approximately at 71.4°C;the use of AO can help reduce the viscosity of PMDI rejuvenated SBSMA binder for improving its workability;PMDI can help improve the resistance of AO rejuvenated SBSMA binder to deformation,especially at elevated temperatures,through its chemical reactions with aged SBS;moisture induction can enhance the resistance to damage of rejuvenated mixtures containing AO/PMDI or only PMDI;and the rejuvenator with a mass ratio of AO:PMDI=70:30 can lead the rejuvenated mixture to meet the application requirement,with a rut depth of only 2.973 mm,although more PMDI can result in a higher resistance of rejuvenated mixtures to high-temperature deformation.

Geochemical characterization of aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oils from the Tarim,Qaidam and Turpan Basins,NW China

Based on the systematic study of aromatic hydrocarbons in over 100 crude oil samples collected from the Tabei and Tazhong uplifts in the Tarim Basin,the western depression area in the Qaidam Basin and the Tabei depression in the Turpan Basin,the geochemical characteristics of the marine（Tarim Basin）,saline lacustrine（Qaidam Basin）,and swamp（Turpan Basin） oils were investigated.The marine oils from the Tarim basin are characterized by relatively low abundance of diaromatic hydrocarbons such as biphenyl and naphthalene,and relatively high abundance of triaromatic hydrocarbons including phenanthrene,dibenzothiophene and fluorene.In contrast,the swamp oils from the Turpan Basin are dominated by the highest relative abundance of diaromatic hydrocarbons and the lowest relative abundance of triaromatic hydrocarbons in all the oil samples in this study.The relative abundance of diaromatic and triaromatic hydrocarbons in the saline lacustrine oils from Qaidam Basin is between that in Tarim oils and Turpan oils.Aromatic parameters based on the isomer distributions of dimethylnaphthalenes（DMN）,trimethylnaphthalenes（TMN）,tetramethylnaphthalenes（TeMN） and methylphenanthrenes（MP）,i.e.,1,2,5-trimethylnaphthalene（TMN）/1,3,6-TMN ratio,1,2,7-TMN/1,3,7TMN ratio,（2,6-＋2,7-）-dimethylnaphthalenes（DMN）/1,6-DMN ratio,1,3,7-TMN/（1,2,5-＋1,3,7-）TMN,1,3,6,7-TeMN/（1,3,6,7-＋1,2,5,6-＋1,2,3,5-）-TeMN ratio and MP index,may reflect the diversity of organic source input,thermal maturity and depositional environments.In addition,the dibenzothiophenes（DBTs）/fluorenes（Fs） and dibenzofurans（DBFs）/Fs ratios were found to the very useful and effective in determining genetic types of crude oils for the marine,saline lacustrine,and swamp depositional environments,and for oil-oil correlations.

Investigation of Swelling and Dissolution Process of Natural Rubber in Aromatic Oil

Aromatic oil has been used to promote the properties of crumb rubber modified asphalt which is an ideal method to deal with the resource utilization of waste rubber tires and by-product of refinery. Furfural extract oil(FEO) was separated into the light fraction and the heavy fraction. Swelling and dissolution process of natural rubber sheet in these three oil samples was investigated to shed light on the interaction mechanism. Crumb rubber also interacted on FEO and asphalt respectively. Energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS), thermo-gravimetric analysis(TGA) and scanning electron microscope(SEM) were used to characterize the chemical and structural properties of processed rubber. The chemical composition of processed oils and asphalt was investigated by using the hydrocarbon group analysis(SARA) and gel permeation chromatography. The results revealed that the swelling rate and mass loss of rubber in oils were much higher than those in asphalt and rose with an increasing processing temperature. The heavy fraction of FEO had more diffusion and dissolving capability than the light fraction, whilst compatibility was observed between the heavy fraction and the light fraction. Selective absorption was not observed in the study and detachment of dissolved rubber was disseminated from the outside to the inside. The cross-linking degree of the residue rubber was unchanged with the processing time, and sulfur predominantly remained in the undissolved rubber. Dissolution of crumbed rubber in oils was attributed to devulcanization, while that in the asphalt was mainly attributed to depolymerization.

Treatment of tunnel wash waters-experiments with organic sorbent materials.PartⅠ:Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nonpolar oil

Tunnel wash waters characterize all waters that run off after washing procedures of tunnels are performed.These waters represent a wide spectrum of organic and inorganic pollutants,such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and toxic metals.Removal of such contaminants from water runoff was investigated using laboratory tests after washing procedure was performed on two road tunnels in eastern Norway(Hanekleiv and Bragernes).Due to diverse character of both,treatment media and treated wash waters, the wh...

Direct Fingerprinting Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Heavy Oils by PY-GC/MS and Its Application to Hydrotreating Processes

An efficient analytical method combining pyrolysis and capillary GC/MS has been developed for determination and quantitation of targeted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.The limit of detection ranged from 0.29 μg/g to 43.46 μg/g,and repeatability values were between 0.1% and 8.2% for blank spiked samples and between 0.1 % and 9.8% for real samples of heavy oils.Through application of the proposed method in hydrotreating processes,it has been found out that heavy oils before and after the specified hydroprocessing treatment exhibited a diverse PAHs distribution which might be determined by the discrepancy in their intrinsic contents and hydrogenation reactivity.Furthermore,the hydrogenation reactivity of different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was further investigated and discovered to be more interrelated to molecular structure and rings alignment or conjugation mode.

Transport and behavior of marine oil spill containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mesocosm experiments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are one of the most important groups in oil,and re sponsible for major toxic and/or carcinogenic impact on humans and wildlife.It is important to understand the behavior of PAHs in marine environment after an oil-spill incident.However,interaction between petroleum PAHs and microbial communities in a marine environment remains unclear.Therefore,a series of mesocosm experiments were conducted.in which water-accommodated fraction(WAF)of oil was generated to simulate an oil-spill scenario and to analyze the transport and behavior of marine oil spill containing PAHs with and without dispersants.Results indicate that the application of dispersant could increase the concentration of total PAHs in water column due mainly to significant increase in the concentration of highmolecular weight(HMW)PAHs at a lower removal rate.At the end of the 7-day experiment,significant amount of HMW PAHs were accumulated in sediment.In general,the application of dispersant did not increase the sediment uptake of PAHs but increased the PAHs concentration in water column.

Geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oils from the Linnan Subsag, Shandong Province, China

Abundant aromatic fractions were detected in oils from the Linnan subsag, including aphthalenes, phenanthrenes, triaromatic steroids, biphenyl, fluorenes, dibenzothiophenes, dibenzofuranes, as well as some typical higher plant-sourced compounds, such as pyrene, benzopyrene, fluoranthene, chryaene, benzofluoranthrene, perylene and cadalene. Occurrences of biomarkers indicate that oils from the Linnan subsag are typical terrestrially genetic oils. Developed in the depositional environment is a strong reduction condition typical of brackish-saline lake. Thermal evolution has entered into the mature-high mature stage.

Geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in saline lacustrine crude oils and their significance as exemplified by the south area of western Qaidam Basin

Based on quantitative GC-MS analysis of 40 crude oil samples collected from the south area of western Qaidam Basin,one of the largest saline lacustrine basins in China,the geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in oils were studied systematically in this paper.Among those constitutes,naphthalene(43% 59%),phenanthrene(12% 21%) and taromatic-sterane series(6% 28%) were the main ones of aromatic hydrocarbons.The ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameter vs.saturated hydrocarbon maturity parameter C 29 20S/(20S+20R) shows that some aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameters are not suitable for low-mature oils,including MPI,MNR,DNR,etc.Meanwhile,maturity parameters for dibenzothiophene and taromatic-sterane series are more appropriate for low maturity saline lacustrine crude oils.Based on the ratio of 4,6-DMDBT/1,4-DMDBT,the R c values are within the range of 0.59% 0.72%.However,the abundance of dibenzothiophene(DBT) is low,and the dibenzofuran(DBF) content is even lower,suggesting that the crude oils were formed in a saline lacustrine anaerobic environment.The high abundance of C 26 triaromatic steroid also indicates that the source material is brackish water-saline water with strong reducibility.

Catalytic Cracking Characteristics of Plant Oil for Producing Light Olefins and Light Aromatics

Catalyst containing shape selective zeolite is used to investigate the catalytic cracking characteristics of palm oil and three types of hydrocarbon VGOs on a fixed fluidized bed(FFB) unit. The advantage of producing light olefins and light aromatics by catalytic cracking of plant oil is discussed. Results indicate that the hydrocarbyl group of the plant oil molecule is quite readily crackable; the C_6—C_8 aromatics yield is well above and the light olefins yield is about the same with the hydrocarbon feeds, while the yields of low value products are lower; the hydrocarbyl group of the plant oil molecule has strong tendency of aromatization, and can enter the zeolite pores to selectively form C_6—C_8 aromatics; during catalytic cracking of plant oil and fatty acids, a portion of the oxygen is removed in the form of water through hydrogen transfer reaction, while olefins are prevented from being saturated, which can ensure proper yields of both low-carbon olefins and light aromatics.

Carbon isotopic compositions of mono-, di-, tri-aromatics provide insights into the source of sulfur-rich crude oils in the Huanghekou Depression, Bohai Bay Basin

The stable carbon isotope compositions (δ13C) of individual aromatic hydrocarbons have been analyzed in sulfur-rich and sulfur-lean crude oils from the Huanghekou Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. The δ13C values of individual aromatic hydrocarbons, including alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkylfluorenes and alkyldibenzothiophenes, are reported. The main aims are to find out the origin of these oils and their relationship to paleoclimate. The distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons and maturity parameters show the oils all stay in the low-mature to mature stage. Meanwhile, aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly derived from the diagenetic/catagenetic origin. The δ13C values for 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (−30.7‰ to −28.8‰) and 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene (−32.4‰ to −26.3‰) indicate the algae-derived organic matter for alkylbenzenes. Some isomers, such as 1,7-+1,3-+1,6-dimethylnaphthalene, 1,2,5-trimethylnaphthalene, 1,2,5,6-+1,2,3,5-tetramethylnaphthalene, 1,10-+1,3-+3,10-+3,9-dimethylphenanthrenes, 1,6-+2,9-+2,5-dimethylphenanthrenes and 4,9-+4,10-+1,9- dimethylphenanthrenes show isotopic depletion (−34.9‰ to −25.2‰), indicating the major contribution of algae for these compounds. Meanwhile, isotopically depleted (−33.6‰ to −26.7‰) alkyldibenzothiophenes represent the algae input. δ13C values for mainly algae-derived naphthalene to trimethylnaphthalenes of sulfur-rich oils are more enriched than those of sulfur-lean oil, with the most significant difference of 4.4‰, indicating that the aridity of the environment and stratified water column result in the enrichment in 13C.

Aromatic Essential Oil Acupressure Combined with Music Therapy in Cancer Pain Management

Objective: To explore the effect of aroma oil acupressure combined with music therapy in pain intervention for tumor patients. Methods: 60 patients with malignant tumors accompanied by cancer pain who were hospitalized in the oncology department of a tertiary-level hospital in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, from January 2022 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects, and were divided into 30 cases in the control group and 30 cases in the intervention group according to the stratified sampling method. The control group was divided into 30 cases of control group and 30 cases of intervention group according to the stratified sampling method. The control group was given medicine according to the conventional step analgesia, and the intervention group was given medicine according to the conventional step analgesia with the addition of aromatic oil acupressure combined with music therapy, and the effect of the intervention was valued by the NRS, the SAS and the SDS. Results: The NRS, SAS and SDS of patients in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (p Conclusion: Aromatic oil acupressure combined with music therapy can effectively improve the pain symptoms of tumor patients, relieve anxiety and improve the quality of sleep of patients. Combined with pharmacological methods of pain relief, it can reduce the dose of pain medication and the frequency of administration of medication, and find a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological pain complementary alternative therapy for tumor patients with cancer pain.

Effect of Aromatic Ring, Cation, and Anion Types of Ionic Liquids on Heavy Oil Recovery

Surfactant/alkali flooding is one of the best chemical flooding methods to enhance the oil Recovery Factor(RF).In this research,Ionic Liquid/Alkali(ILA)mixtures were chosen to represent a form of chemical flooding experiments.The selected Ionic Liquids(ILs),{[EMIM][Cl],[THTDPH][Cl],[EMIM][Ac],[BzMIM][Cl],[DMIM][Cl],[BzMIM][TOS],[dMIM][TOS]and[MPyr][TOS]},were introduced to investigate their efficiency in improving heavy oil(14o API)RF from the sand packs.Besides,the use of mixtures of the same ionic liquids and brine(3.37 wt.% salts)with an alkali(Sodium Bicarbonate[NaHCO3])were also investigated.In this experimental study,the flooding process started with injecting about 3.2 Pore Volumes(PVs)of only brine,followed by one PV of the chemical composites,and flushed with two PVs of formation brine.The study discussed the influence of cation type,anion type,the structure of the ILs,and the effect of combining ILs/alkali on the RF.The results revealed that the proposed chemical mixtures are effective in enhancing the recovery factor.ILs with shorter alkyl chain and more aromatic rings are noticeably more efficient in enhancing the RF.Finding the optimum composition of([DMIM][Cl]+NaHCO3)the chemical slug increased the additional RF up to 31.55(%OOIP).Also,increasing the slug size to two PVs improved the RF to 42.13(%OOIP).The recovery factor mechanism was explained and supported by measuring the effect of IL types on the viscosity,Surface Tension(SFT),and Zeta Potential(ZP)of the mixture.

Biological Activity of <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i>and <i>Ravensara aromatica</i>Essential Oils from Madagascar and Their Possible Use against Postharvest Mango Anthracnose

The fungitoxicity of five Malagasy essential oils (Eos) against Colletotrichum asianum was assessed in terms of conidial germination and mycelial growth. Their effect on defense-related compounds content, physicochemical properties and anthracnose lesions in mango fruits was also determined. Four of the tested Eos were from Ravensara aromatica leaves, and the last Eo was extracted from clove leaves. Their chemical compositions were then determined through GC-MS analysis and the active compound of the most fungitoxic Eo was determined by testing the toxicity of its major component to C. asianums spore germination, mycelial growth and its ability to inhibit anthracnose development on mango fruits. The R. aromatica Eos tested were fungistatic to C. asianum, whereas clove Eo was fungitoxic and the 4 chemotypes of R. aromatica Eo exhibited variable inhibiting capabilities: 1) all tested doses of all Eos (112.5 and 225 μL/L of air) were effective against C. asianum mycelial growth (10% - 100% inhibition) but doses of 225 μL/L were more inhibitory than those of 112.5 μL/L, 2) Conidial germination was more resistant to Eos toxicity since only 225 μL/L of methyl eugenol chemotype of R. aromatica Eo, all tested doses of the sabinene chemotype of R. aromatica Eo and clove Eo were found inhibitory toward conidial germination of C. asianum. 30 μL/L of sprayed clove Eoweretested on inoculated mangoes and were found to be effective against anthracnose development without affecting the resorcinol content in mango peel and the physicochemical properties of mango pulp. Tests on the major components of clove Eo showed fungitoxic activities against mycelial growth and conidial germination of C. asianum similar to those of clove Eo.

Calculating single layer production contribution of heavy oil commingled wells by analysis of aromatic parameters in whole-oil GC-MS

Traditional fluid production profile logging is not usually suitable for heavy-viscous crude oil wells.Biodegradation of heavy oil can lead to the loss of n-alkanes,and the use of chromatogram fingerprint techniques in studying the production contributions of single layers in heavy oil commingled wells has limitations.However,aromatic compounds are relatively well preserved.We took the heavy oil commingled wells of small layers NG55 and NG61 in the ninth area of the Gudong oil field as examples.Based on the principle of chromatography,the whole-oil GC-MS was used,and the aromatic parameters which have a strongly linear relationship with the ratio of mixed two end member oils were verified and selected in laboratory.Studies showed that the ratio of （1,4,6-＋ 2,3,6-trimethylnaphthalene） to 1,2,5-trimethylnaphthalene has a strongly linear relationship with the ratio of the mixed two end member oils （R2=0.992）.The oil contributions from single layers NG55 and NG61 in six commingled heavy oil wells were calculated using established charts and this relationship.The calculated results are consistent with the results of long period dynamic monitoring and logging interpretation in the study area and can provide a scientific basis for monitoring production performance and hierarchical management of reservoirs.The study provides a new geochemical method for calculation of the contributions of single layers in heavy oil commingled wells when conventional fluid production profile logging is not suitable.

Comparison on Commercial Application of Two Types of C_8 Aromatics Isomerization Catalysts

The results of commercial application of two types of C_8 aromatics isomerization catalysts under different feed conditions were compared to gain an insight in the techno-economical basis for selecting proper technological route at the plant.The comparison reveals differences in every aspect of feed consumption,unit capacity,product output,product distribution,and unit process parameters depending upon which catalyst type is adopted by the integrated PX complex.The type of aromatics isomerization catalyst has its influence on the plant scale,the construction cost,the process unit capacity and the product cost,with the magnitude of its impact varying with changing feed conditions.

Efficacy of a Topical Aromatic Rub (Vicks VapoRub^®) on Effects on Self-Reported and Actigraphically Assessed Aspects of Sleep in Common Cold Patients

Common cold sufferers frequently report sleep disruption during the symptomatic period of infections. We examined the effects of treatment with a topical aromatic pharmaceutical ointment (Vicks VapoRub?), on associated sleep disturbances. The effects of Vicks VapoRub? versus placebo (petrolatum ointment) on subjective and objective measured sleep parameters were assessed in an exploratory study of 100 common cold patients, in a randomized, single blind, controlled, two-arm, parallel design study. The primary efficacy variable was subjective sleep quality measured with the SQSQ (Subjective Quality of Sleep Questionnaire). Additional measures included, ease of falling asleep and depth of sleep (measured with a post-sleep Visual Analog Scale), total sleep time, sleep onset latency, activity score, percentage of sleep, sleep efficiency (measured with actigraphy and SQSQ) and sleep quality index measured with a modified Karolinska Sleep Diary (KSD). The primary endpoint, “How was the quality of your sleep last night?” showed a statistically significant difference in change from baseline in favour of VapoRub treatment (p = 0.0392) versus placebo. Positive effects of VapoRub versus placebo were also observed for “How refreshed did you feel upon waking up?” (p = 0.0122) (SQSQ), “Did you get enough sleep?” (p = 0.0036) (KSD), “How was it to get up?” (p = 0.0120) (KSD) and “Do you feel well-rested?” (p = 0.0125) (KSD). No statistically significant changes from baseline versus placebo were detected in the Actiwatch endpoints. Vicks VapoRub? when applied before retiring to bed can reduce subjective sleep disturbances during a common cold. The results of this exploratory study support the belief among patients that the use of VapoRub improves subjective sleep quality during common cold which was associated with more refreshing sleep.

Aromatization of virgin olive oil by seeds of Pimpinella anisum using three different methods:Physico-chemical change and thermal stability of flavored oils

Knowing that flavored products would increase the use of olive oil by non-traditional consumers and enhance the added value of this valuable agricultural product,the virgin olive oil(VOO)was flavored with the seeds of Pimpinella anisum(Green anise)using three different methods:classic maceration,ultrasonic assisted maceration and direct addition of the essential oil(EO).These methodswere compared under two main criteria:time and level of aromatization.The physico-chemical parameters and the thermal stability of flavored oils prepared by the three methods were determined by AOAC titration method and GC–MS analysis so as to compare the aromatization effect of the three methods.The trans-anethole is the major component of the EO of anise seeds as well as the indicator of the level of aromatization.GC/MS analysis results of the flavored oils showed that the diffusion of trans-anethole in the flavored oil by direct addition of EO was very important(36.3%of the total volatile fraction of the flavored oil)in comparison to the oil flavored by ultrasonic assisted maceration or classic maceration(respectively 26.59%and 23.85%).These different aromatization methods ensure an improvement in the quality of VOO with an enrichment in polyphenols estimated at 35%in the case of ultrasonic flavored oil,an increase in the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls(67%and 21%respectively)in the event of aromatization by classic maceration,and a decrease in specific absorbency at 232 nmestimated at 29%during aromatization by addition of EO as well as a decrease in the peroxide value estimated at 26%in oil flavored by classic maceration unlike in oil flavored by ultrasoundwhich has seen an increase of around 20%.The aromatization was able to maintain the stability of the oils and its qualification as VOO with a gain in induction time in the case of treatment at 60℃ estimated at 29 and 27.5 d respectively in oils flavored by addition of EO and by conventional maceration,an improvement resistance to degradation concerning K_(232) and K_(270) of all flavored oils which varied from 15 to 40 d in the case of treatment at 60℃ and 3 h resistance to degradation of oils treated at 130℃ for K_(232).Polyphenols,chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids play an important role in oxidative stability due to their antioxidant nature and their degradation during heating is very complex.All of these physico-chemical changes have increased the thermal stability of flavored oils with better resistance to oxidation of flavored oil by classic maceration in compared to oil flavored by adding EO and the oil flavored by using ultrasound.

Status quo of soil petroleum contamination and evolution of bioremediation

Along with the rapid development of oil industries internationally,petroleum prospecting and exploitation activities are growing intensively.Especially in China,with the fastest economic growth in the world and shortage of petroleum resources,we are leading the practices of petroleum deep exploitation.Obviously,the risk of damage to the natural environment from these activities is high.Oil contamination in soils and groundwater is becoming a big issue along with pesticide pollution,which makes organic pollution prevention and control （OPPC） much more complex.In this paper,based on recent research on oil-contaminated soil at home and abroad,we make comments on the remediation technologies for polluted soil,emphasizing bioremediation techniques and degradation mechanisms in order to push forward research into bound organic pollution prevention and control （OPPC）,especially in China.

An examination by GC×GC-TOFMS of organic molecules present inhighly degraded oils emerging from Caribbean terrestrial seeps of Cretaceous age

For our ancestors, oil seeps were both a fascination and a resource but as the planet's reserves of high quality low density oil becomes increasingly depleted, so there is now a renewed interest in heavier,biodegraded oils such as those encountered in terrestrial seeps. One such seep is Pitch Lake in the Caribbean island of Trinidad, which is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. At the northern end of the Caribbean, oil emerges along a tectonic contact on the island on Cuba. The sources of the oils from these seeps are relatively recent and both are subject to intense weathering due to the tropical conditions. When analysed by gas chromatography(GC) both oils appear as unresolved complex mixtures(UCM) and show a very high degree of biodegradation thus presenting an analytical challenge. In this case study, these two Caribbean seep oils were analysed by comprehensive two dimensional GC with time of flight mass spectrometry(GC×GC-TOFMS) to expose many thousands of the individual compounds that comprise the UCM. The high chromatographic resolution of the GC×GC-TOFMS produced good quality mass spectra allowing many compounds including molecular fossil ‘biomarkers' to be identified. Compound classes included diamondoid hydrocarbons, demethylated hopanes and secohopanes, mono-and tri-aromatic steroids. D-ring aromatised structures of the 8,14-seco-hopanes,including demethylated forms were present in both oils but further demethylation, probably at position C-25 during biodegradation, was only observed in the Pitch Lake oil. Many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were absent although the fungal-derived pentacyclic PAH perylene was present in both oils. The presence of the angiosperm biomarker lupane in the Pitch Lake oil constrained the age to the Late Cretaceous. The higher degree of biodegradation observed in the Cuban oil was likely due to relatively slow anaerobic processes whereas oil within Pitch Lake was probably subject to additional more rapid aerobic metabolism within the lake.

Derived oil production by catalytic pyrolysis of scrap tires

Scrap tires were pyrolyzed in a continuously stirred batch reactor in the presence and absence of catalysts. The maximum yield of derived oil was up to 55.65 wt%at the optimum temperature, 500 °C. The catalytic pyrolysis was performed using 1.0 wt%（on a scrap tire weight basis） of catalysts based on ZSM‐5, USY,β, SAPO‐11, and ZSM‐22. The oil products were characterized using simula‐tion distillation, elemental analysis, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The results show that using a catalyst can increase the conversion of scrap tires to gas and decrease char by‐products;the yield of derived oil remains unchanged or a little lower. The oils derived from catalytic pyrolysis had H/C ratios of 1.55–1.65 and contained approximately 70–75 wt%light oil, 0.3–0.58 wt%S and 0.78–1.0 wt%N. Catalysts with high acid strengths and appropriate pore sizes, such as ZSM‐5, USY,β, and SAPO‐11, increased the amount of single‐ring aromatics in the light‐middle‐fraction oil to 45 wt%. The derived oil can therefore be used as a petrochemical feedstock for producing high‐value‐added chemical products or fuel oil.