ANALYSIS OF HYDROCARBONS RELEASED THROUGH HYDROPYROLYSIS OF ASPHALTENES OBTAINED FROM SOIL SAMPLE IN ERHIEMU, NIGERIA.

Ivwurie, W. & Appi, T.S.

Department of Chemistry,

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State,

E-mail: wivwurie@yahoo.co.uk       

ABSTRACT

Erhiemu soil sample was collected and extracted, asphaltenes were then precipitated from the extracts. The asphaltenes were subjected to hydropyrolysis to determine the percentage yield of hydrocarbon from asphaltene matrix. Open column chromatography was performed on asphaltene hydropyrolysate which gave a percentage recovery of 71%. This suggests that the process is a veritable tool for the release of bound hydrocarbons in asphaltene matrix.