Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 1996, 61, 1158-1166
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19961158

Gas Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Pyrolysis Products of Fossil Organic Matter from Localities of the Czech Republic

Jiří Čejkaa, Luboš Holýb, Bohdan Kříbekc and Václav Sedláčekd

a J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 182 23 Prague 8, Czech Republic
b ECOCHEM - Analytical Centre, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague 8, Czech Republic
c Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic
d Department of Geochemistry and Mineral Raw Materials, Charles University, 128 40 Prague 2, Czech Republic

Abstract

The composition of fossil organic matter of different origin and thermal maturation was studied based on the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric characterization of their pyrolysis products. Increase in the pyrolysis temperature from 300 to 500 °C was found to cause the cracking of aliphatic hydrocarbons resulting in a shortening of the n-alkane chains. High yields of pyrolysis products can be obtained at temperatures above 350 °C; the cracking reactions can be suppressed by applying relatively short duration of pyrolysis. The chromatographic patterns then clearly reflect the origin of the organic matter and degree of its thermal maturation in rocks.

Keywords: GC-MS; Pyrolysis; Fossil organic matter; Thermal maturation.