Thermogenic gases generated from coals and shales of the Upper Silesian and Lublin basins: hydrous pyrolysis approach

In order to provide a better characterization of the origin and volume of thermogenic gas generation hydrous pyrolysis (HP) experiments were performed on coals and shales at 330 and 360 o C for 72 hours. The maturity range of coals and shales used for HP varies from 0.57 to 0.92% R o . The maturity increase caused by HP at 330 and 360 o C ranges from 1.32 to 1.39% and from 1.71 to 1.83%, respectively. δ 13 C of CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 3 H 6 and n -C 4 H 10 in HP gases versus their reciprocal C-number have a concave relationship, and therefore do not follow a linear trend. δ 2 H of CH 4 , C 2 H 6 and C 3 H 6 in HP gases versus their reciprocal H-number show both linear and convex-concave relationships. The growth of CO 2 yields during HP was higher for shales than for coals. H 2 S yields from shales are higher than from coals, which can be connected with catalytic and adsorbed influence of shale matrix. H 2 was also generated in notable quantities from water and organic matter of coals and bigger amounts from shales. N 2 yields grow with the increase of R o after 360 o C HP and it is more enriched in 15 N isotope than after 330 o C.