This research was conducted to investigate the pyrolysis behavior of crude oils and their fractions using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Experiments were performed at 10 degrees C/min heating rate under nitrogen atmosphere. An examination of the fractions of crude oils shows that pyrolysis mechanisms depend on the chemical nature of the constituents. A study of the weight loss properties of SARA constituents suggests that each fraction in whole crude oil follows its own reaction (distillation and cracking) pathway independent of the presence of other fractions
