CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF MACROMOLECULAR CONSTITUENTS OF ASPHALTIC SANDS IN IONIC LIQUIDS
s This paper illustrates the reaction pattern of catalytic degradation of macromolecules in asphaltic sands.Such parameters as ionic liquid catalyst system and H+ proton donor,that affect the change of the organic phase and the mass of organic matter in residual phase of asphaltic sands,were investigated.It was found that chloroaluminate (Ⅲ) ionic liquid/H 3PO 4 systems as reaction medium was an effective catalyst system for asphaltic sands degradation.The catalytic degradation of asphaltic sands was related to the kinds of chloroaluminate (Ⅲ) ionic liquids and H+ proton donor. In [BMIM][AlCl 4]/H 3PO 4 reaction catalytic medium, the degradation of asphaltenes in the organic phase reached 16.44%, the degradation of asphaltenes in the residual phase reached 30.74%.TLC-FID analysis of asphaltic sands showed that the main degradation products were saturates and aromatics,and resin fractions as well.At a temperature close to oil-bearing formation and with absense of oxygen,the yield of H 2S reached 74%, which indicated that catalytic degradation of sulphur-containing compounds was easier.