Thermal analysis of shale oil using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry

A non-isothermal experimental study using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was conducted for investigation of Jordanian shale oils. The analyses were performed in an inert atmosphere. The weight loss data show that the pyrolysis of shale oils takes place in one regime, and the major weight loss occurs in the range of 175-450 degreesC. The DSC data reveals the endothermic behavior of the decomposed samples. The kinetics of the non-isothermal pyrolysis of shale oils have been derived using the TGA data. The first order of reaction shows a good fit with the weight loss data, and the activation energies vary from 20.61 to 29.55 kJ mol(-1). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.