HIGH-SULFUR SHALE OIL AS A PRIME MATTER FOR BITUMEN PRODUCTION

The composition and properties of heavy residues of Israeli shale oil (S content 6.8 %) were investigated as a source for bitumens. Both pri ncipal methods of asphalt production - vacuum distillation and oxidizi ng with air - were studied. Straight-run bitumen had satisfactory char acteristics. As to oxidized bitumen, the values of its penetration, du ctility and softening point were also satisfactory. The drawback of sh ale oil bitumens is their high viscosity after the thin film oven rest , which means their high sensitivity to aging. The shale oil compositi on changes significantly as a result of distillation and oxidation. Th e content of asphaltenes sharply increases: from 3.5 to 20-22 % in str aight-run bitumen and to 30 % in oxidized bitumen. It is explained by the reactions of condensation and polymerization of the most unstable polar components during heating and oxidation. Unlike petroleum, shale oil is a product of pyrogenic origin, i.e., it is formed as a result of thermal decomposition of large molecules of kerogen and a part of t his cracked material consists of unstable fragments of these molecules , which have a tendency to polymerization. The C/H ratio and nitrogen content increase significantly in the order ''saturated hydrocarbons - naphtheno - aromatics - aromatics - asphaltenes''.