Methane generation from Miocene lacustrine coals and organic-rich sedimentary rocks containing different types of organic matter

Ten selected samples with varying types and amounts of organic matter from two Miocene lacustrine basins in northwestern Turkey were analyzed by programmed-temperature open-system pyrolysis to determine methane generation potential and reaction kinetics. Open-system pyrolysis was performed at heating rates 0.1, 0.7 and 5.0 K/min, where generated gases were measured using an on-line gas chromatograph. Frequency factors and activation energy distributions of reaction kinetics for methane generation from the investigated lacustrine coals and sedimentary rocks indicated that type of kerogen controls the sequential order of methane generation. Methane from Type-III kerogen is generated at lower temperatures, which will be followed by methane from Type-II and Type-I kerogen. Methane generation potentials in the range 14–35 mg CH4/g TOC correlates also with type of organic matter. For Type-III kerogen up to 28% of the total hydrocarbon generation potential belongs to methane. The respective value is only 2% for a Type-I kerogen.