Pyrolysis of immature Torbanite and of the resistant biopolymer (PRB A) isolated from extant alga Botryococcus braunii. Mechanism of formation and structure of torbanite

Immature Torbanite and the resistant biopolymer (PRB A) isolated from extant B. braunii were previously compared using bulk spectroscopic methods. In the present work, analysis of 400°C pyrolysis products and pyrolysis residues provided further information on their structure and possible relationships. It appears that such polymers are based upon unbranched, saturated, cross-linked hydrocarbon chains up to C₃₁. In addition to these bridging structures, a substantial part of the alkyl chains is singly bound, as esters of unbranched, saturated or cis unsaturated, even fatty acids. These esters are sterically protected, against chemical degradations, by the network of the bioand geopolymer.Quantitative and qualitative observations derived from 400°C pyrolysis confirm that the chemical structure of PRB A and immature Torbanite are closely related. The pyrolysis residues show a similar evolution and numerous common features are noted, with respect to the nature and the distribution of the major constituents of the pyrolysates (hydrocarbons and fatty acids). Accordingly, Botryococcus provides what seems to be the first example of a close structural relationship between a biopolymer produced in large amounts by an extant alga and the geopolymer of an immature kerogen. The essential role of PRB A in Torbanite formation is ascertained. Moreover, it is found that the resistant biopolymer does not undergo important structural changes during the first stages of diagenesis. Thus, owing to steric protection, the esters of immature Torbanite show a distribution quite close to the one of PRB A esters, with exclusively even constituents and a large contribution of unsaturated acids.Recent observations pointed to the possible genesis of some algal kerogens principally by selective preservation of resistant macromolecules. Such a type of formation is clearly predominant in Torbanite, where the bulk of the fossil organic matter corresponds to a selectively preserved and weakly altered, resistant biopolymer, while incorporation of lipids into the kerogen structure during diagenesis seems to play a minor role.     

Geo-engineering properties of expansive soil treated with xanthan gum biopolymer

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the effectiveness of xanthan gum (XG) biopolymer in stabilising the expansive soil. The XG biopolymer is mixed with expansive soil in different proportions such as 0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 0.8% and 1.0% by weight of the dry soil mass. The plasticity, compaction, swelling, compressibility, hydraulic conductivity, strength and durability characteristics of the treated and un-treated expansive soil are examined. Results show that the plasticity index of the treated soil mass initially increases but beyond 0.5% biopolymer addition it decreases sharply. The optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of treated soil, found out from light and heavy compaction tests, do not follow any definite trend. It is also found that increasing XG content increases compressibility slightly but, it reduces swelling pressure, differential free swelling value and hydraulic conductivity remarkably. On the other hand, time-dependent compressive strength and resistance to mass loss increases with increasing XG content. Microscopic examination confirms the formation of gel-like linkage, which brings about the modifications in the treated expansive soil.     

微生物调剖机理及应用

岩芯试验和矿场应用发现,微生物可以在多孔介质中生长、运移和繁殖,代谢产生生物聚合物,并进一步形成生物膜.生物聚合物在地层中可以通过条件的改变而形成凝胶;生物膜由于其致密性也可以对高渗透层产生选择性的封堵,调整吸水剖面,提高原油采收率.对生物矿化作用的进一步研究有助于微生物调剖机理的完善和应用.微生物调剖技术以其设备简单、施工简便、经济环保而在提高油田采收率方面得到广泛的应用.     

Analysis of modern and fossil plant cuticles by Curie point Py-GC and Curie point Py-GC-MS: Recognition of a new, highly aliphatic and resistant biopolymer

This paper investigates to what extent the chemical constituents of plant cuticles (waxes and cutin) can survive diagenesis. Recent and fossil plant cuticles were analyzed by means of Curie point pyrolysis-gas chromatography and Curie point pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Recent cuticles were analyzed without treatment, after solvent extraction and after cutin depolymerization. Extensive series of straight-chain alkanes, alk-1-enes and α,ω)-alkadienes dominate the pyrolysates, especially after removal of the wax and cutin. ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy of the residue after removal of the cutin confirmed the presence of a new, highly aliphatic biopolymer and a polysaccharide fraction.The abundance of straight-chain alkanes, alk-1-enes and α,ω-alkadienes in the fossil plant cuticles indicates the chemical resistence of the biopolymer to diagenesis and may explain the occurrence of straight-chain aliphatic moieties in organic-matter-rich sediments and coals as revealed by “C-NMR spectroscopy and flash pyrolysis methods. The highly aliphatic biopolymer may function as an important oil precursor.