Pyrolysis of Athabasca tar sands: analysis of the condensible products from asphaltene

Athabasca asphaltene has been pyrolysed at 350, 500 and 800 °C, and the condensible volatile products analysed using gas Chromatographic and mass spectrometric procedures. Alkanes up to ca. C₃₄ have been detected, but little evidence could be found for the presence of branched or cyclic saturated structures. The wide variety of aromatic hydrocarbons which are observed are thought to arise both from primary aromatic structures in the asphaltene and also from the dehydrogenation of saturated structures. The quantities of benzene, toluene and xylene produced increase markedly with rising temperatures. Heterocyclic products are dominated by sulphur compounds of the thiophene and condensed thiophene type. © 1979.