(675c) Synthesis and Characterization of Proto-Kerogen Via Simulated Diagenesis of Litopenaeus Setiferus and Procambarus Clarkii chitin

Petroleum formation begins with organic matter (OM).  Chitin is a type of organic matter found in shellfish.  Chitin is a long-chain polymer of an N-Acetyl Glucasamine, a derivative of glucose.  Over geologic time and progressive burial, chitin and other OM undergo sequential catalytic modifications known as diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis, resulting in the petroleum-forming intermediate known as kerogen. Catalytic activity is provided by aluminosilicate clays such as kaolin, feldspar, bentonite, and wollastonite.  With progressive burial, temperatures eventually rise into the “oil window” of  100-200°C.  Within the oil window, organic matter is gradually converted into complex intermediates including fulvic and humic acids, eventually forming kerogen. 

For this experiment chitin is isolated from Litopenaeus setiferus and Procambarus clarkii by sequential treatment with 1M hydrochloric acid followed by 1M sodium hydroxide.  Reactors are then mixed with various aluminosilicates and incubated in a temperature-controlled oven. Experimental conditions evaluated in this research include residence times ranging from 1 day to 1 month and reaction temperatures of 125°C, 155°C, and 175°C.  The impact of pH on reaction products is also evaluated in this research.  The products of the reaction are characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, which measures sample volatility with respect to temperature.  Specific molecules produced in each reaction are then identified by NMR.