A NEW LOOK AT THE MECHANISMS OF OXIDATIVE SEDIMENT FORMATION IN FUELS

Abstract
Alkylpyrroles have been known to promote sediment formation and discoloration of petroleum distillates for over thirty years. There has been much effort directed towards understanding the detailed mechanism of alkylpyrrole promoted sediment formation in petroleum distillates. In addition, recent studies have investigated the mechanism of alkylpyrrole sediment formation in shale derived synfuels. It is the intent of this article to critically review some of the postulated mechanisms for alkylpyrrole promoted sediment formation in fuels and then to comment on the significance of these mechanisms to our overall understanding of the field of oxidative fuel stability.