Energy & Fuels, Vol.22, No.4, 2619-2628, 2008
Characterization of Maya asphaltene and maltene by means of pyrolysis application
The comparison of the original Maya asphaltene and asphaltene samples obtained after pyrolysis has been performed by different analytical methods: mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and C-13 solid-state magic-angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The original asphaltene sample has been studied by solution-state C-13 and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. Besides, outline pyrolysis of the isolated Maya maltene at T > 350 degrees C was performed. As a result, coke, asphaltene, maltene, and gas products have been obtained. The initial Maya maltene has been studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The results of Maya asphaltene and maltene pyrolysis have been compared and discussed.