Title : Production of petroleum-like hydrocarbons on rock particles with H2O and carbon compounds
Abstract:
H2O can be dissociated on solid acids with the aid of thermal energy to form H and OH radicals, and eventually to become H2 and O21. Furthermore, when carbon compounds are added to H2O and reacted on sloid acids, H radical, and unstable hydrocarbon species and radicals can also be formed. Consequently, when H2O reacts with inorganic and/or organic carbon compounds on solid acids, various kinds of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, as seen in petroleum reserves, can be produced. In a similar manner, H2 and diversified hydrocarbons can also be produced on rock particles through reactions between H2O and carbon compounds, because rocks consist mainly of solid acids such as SiO2, Al2O3, and CaCO3. Herein, we show that rocks play a catalytic role in H2 formation via H2O dissociation and in producing diversified hydrocarbons through synthesis reactions between H2O and inorganic/organic carbons. The results of this study imply that petroleum-like hydrocarbons have been produced from the prebiotic era on Earth, and some rocks nearby hot springs or volcanic areas can be utilized to convert CO2 into hydrocarbons.
