Open AccessIrradiation caused gas generation from organic matter: evidence from the neutron irradiation experiment
Author(s) -
Huajian Wang,
Wenzhi Zhao,
Yuwen Cai,
Yuntao Ye,
Xiaomei Wang,
Lina Bi,
Shuichang Zhang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/569/1/012090
Subject(s) - kerogen , oil shale , irradiation , hydrocarbon , natural gas , organic matter , chemistry , fossil fuel , yield (engineering) , neutron , source rock , radiochemistry , environmental chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , geology , nuclear physics , physics , paleontology , structural basin , metallurgy
The effects of U natural decay on the oil and gas generation are still controversial. We implemented a simulation experiment of neutron irradiation on immature organic matter, confirmed its benefit on oil generation. Here we report the generated gases and their composition and isotope characteristics. H 2 was the most abundant gas, with a maximum yield of 1145.3 ml/g TOC, followed by N 2 , CO 2 , then CH 4 and C 2 H 6 . All of the gases were depleted in D or 13 C, indicating their organic source. H 2 was suggested to be directly from kerogen, through a dehydrogenation and abstraction pathway. However, the specific generation mechanisms of N 2 , CO 2 , and CH 4 were still unclear. Gas generation from kerogen will increase the gas-to-oil ratio of the hydrocarbon products, and make the oil much easier to discharge. It is of great importance to consider the artificial irradiation or U natural decay caused gas generation in the exploration and development of low-mature and immature shale oil.