Thermal, kinetics, and oxidation mechanism studies of light crude oils in limestone and sandstone matrix using TG-DTG-DTA: Effect of heating rate and mesh size

This research was focused on the combustion kinetics and oxidation mechanisms of light crude oils in limestone and sandstone matrices. Similarity of the TGA-DTA curves was produced for different crude oils + limestone or sandstone mixtures indicates that the crude oil undergoes three major transitions, known as low-temperature oxidation, fuel deposition, and high-temperature oxidation when subjected to an oxidizing and constant rate environment. Kinetic analysis of the low- and high-temperature oxidation regions was performed using the ASTM and Arrhenius kinetic methods. In reaction mechanism of the combustion reactions, oxidation mechanisms, and rate-controlling steps of fluid-solid reactions in limestone matrix was also determined. It was observed that the linear behavior at elevated temperatures justifies the assumption that chemical reaction was the controlling step.