Compositional and kinetic analysis of oil shale pyrolysis using TGA-MS

► Characterization of the oil shale pyrolysis is important in both ex situ and in situ processes. ► TGA-MS analyses of the Green River oil shale at four different heating rates are reported. ► Products of decomposition to 300 amu are identified. ► Alkanes were detected at slightly lower temperatures than their equivalent aromatic compounds. ► The decomposition kinetics and the kinetics of formation of naphtha were derived.