Publications
38 results found
Montgomery W, Watson JS, Sephton MA, 2014, An organic cosmo-barometer: Distinct pressure and temperature effects for methyl substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Astrophysical Journal, Vol: 784
There are a number of key structures that can be used to reveal the formation and modification history of organic matter in the cosmos. For instance, the susceptibility of organic matter to heat is well documented and the relative thermal stabilities of different isomers can be used as cosmothermometers. Yet despite being an important variable, no previously recognized organic marker of pressure exists. The absence of a pressure marker is unfortunate considering our ability to effectively recognize extraterrestrial organic structures both remotely and in the laboratory. There are a wide variety of pressures in cosmic settings that could potentially be reflected by organic structures. Therefore, to develop an organic cosmic pressure marker, we have used state-of-the-art diamond anvil cell (DAC) and synchrotron-source Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to reveal the effects of pressure on the substitution patterns for representatives of the commonly encountered methyl substituted naphthalenes, specifically the dimethylnaphthalenes. Interestingly, although temperature and pressure effects are concordant for many isomers, pressure appears to have the opposite effect to heat on the final molecular architecture of the 1,5-dimethylnaphthalene isomer. Our data suggest the possibility of the first pressure parameter or "cosmo-barometer" (1,5-dimethylnaphthalene/total dimethylnaphthalenes) that can distinguish pressure from thermal effects. Information can be obtained from the new pressure marker either remotely by instrumentation on landers or rovers or directly by laboratory measurement, and its use has relevance for all cases where organic matter, temperature, and pressure interplay in the cosmos.
Montgomery W, Court RW, Rees AC, et al., 2013, High temperature reactions of water with heavy oil and bitumen: insights into aquathermolysis chemistry during steam-assisted recovery, Fuel, Vol: 113, Pages: 426-426, ISSN: 0016-2361
To better understand the hot water-mediated organic transformation process (aquathermolysis) that occurs during the steam-assisted recovery of heavy oils and bitumen we have performed a series of experiments that subject a heavy oil to progressively higher temperatures and pressures in the presence of liquid water. As temperature and pressure increases, from ambient conditions to 300 °C and 1250 psig (8.6 MPa), a floating oil (flotate) is generated and is composed of mostly aliphatic hydrocarbons that appear to be generated at the expense of polars and asphaltenes. Analyses of hopane maturity parameters for the flotate indicate lower temperatures than the starting material suggesting the liberation of hopanes and, therefore, other hydrocarbons, from asphaltenes. Infrared spectra confirm changes in overall organic constitution as the relative abundance of hydrocarbons to oxygen-containing functional groups increases in the flotate. At the highest temperatures and pressures (325 °C, 1750 psig (13.8 MPa)) the flotate is at a maximum relative amount, the untransformed heavy oil is at a minimum and significant amounts of methane are generated indicating the onset of cracking. Steam-assisted recovery of heavy oil, therefore, leads to changes in the chemical constitution of a number of chemical fractions generating a lighter oil and gases that must be taken into account when planning field operations for production.
Welch MD, Montgomery W, Balan E, et al., 2012, Insights into the high-pressure behavior of kaolinite from infrared spectroscopy and quantum-mechanical calculations, PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF MINERALS, Vol: 39, Pages: 143-151, ISSN: 0342-1791
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Montgomery WB, Court RW, Watson JS, et al., 2012, Quantitative laboratory assessment of aquathermolysis chemistry during steam-assisted recovery of heavy oils and bitumen, World Heavy Oil Congress Paper WHOC12-402
In order to quantitatively study aquathermolysis chemistry during the thermal (steam-assisted) recovery of heavy oils & bitumen we have subjected a well-characterized heavy oil sample to 325°C and 2000 psi (13.8 MPa) in the continued presence of liquid water for 24 hours. The reaction products include gases, oil flotate, water-soluble products, and water-insoluble residues. All have been studied with a variety of analytical techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, chromatographic fractionation (SARA analysis), and GC-MS. Results suggests that some in-situ upgrading of the oil occurs under these conditions. The methods discussed will be useful for the measurement of data to support model development for use in the engineering design of facilities for the thermal recovery of heavy oils and bitumen.
Verchovsky AB, Montgomery W, Sephton MA, 2011, Q NOBLE GASES IN THE ORGUEIL Hf/HCl RESIDUE: A HIGH PRESSURE EXPERIMENT, 74th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical-Society, Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL, Pages: A244-A244, ISSN: 1086-9379
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