Inverse methods and kinetic models of hydrocarbon generation: I. Theoretical considerations

Several different proposed models of thermocatalytic cracking of kerogen to hydrocarbons are exhibited. The specific models are then combined into a single generic, encompassing framework. For laboratory pyrolysis measurements of kerogen degradation and of thermal generation of hydrocarbons, inverse methods are used to show how to determine the relevant distributions of kinetic parameters consistent with the measured data.