Effects of sulfur on coal treatment in aqueous sodium hydroxide

The dissolution of Wyodak subbituminous and North Dakota lignite coals in 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide was enhanced by the addition of sulfur. The added sulfur was not incorporated into the undissolved coal residues. The effects of temperature (140–200°C), time (5–90 min), and added elemental sulfur (1–25% by weight) on dissolution were examined. Temperature affected the dissolution of subbituminous and lignite coal, while time affected the dissolution of subbituminous coal.     

Thermogravimetric determination of the carbon dioxide reactivity of char from some New Zealand coals and its association with the inorganic geochemistry of the parent coal

Thermogravimetrically-determined carbon dioxide reactivities of chars formed from New Zealand coals, ranging in rank from lignite to high volatile bituminous, vary from 0.12 to 10.63 mg/h/mg on a dry, ash-free basis. The lowest rank subbituminous coal chars have similar reactivities to the lignite coal chars. Calcium content of the char shows the strongest correlation with reactivity, which increases as the calcium content increases. High calcium per se does not directly imply a high char reactivity. Organically-bound calcium catalyses the conversion of carbon to carbon monoxide in the presence of carbon dioxide, whereas calcium present as discrete minerals in the coal matrix, e.g., calcite, fails to significantly affect reactivity. Catalytic effects of magnesium, iron, sodium and phosphorous are not as obvious, but can be recognised for individual chars. The thermogravimetric technique provides a fast, reliable analysis that is able to distinguish char reactivity differences between coals, which may be due to any of the above effects.     

Fundamentals of coal topping gasification: Characterization of pyrolysis topping in a fluidized bed reactor

Coal topping gasification refers to a process that extracts the volatiles contained in coal into gas and tar rich in chemical structures in advance of gasification. The technology can be implemented in a reactor system coupling a fluidized bed pyrolyzer and a transport bed gasifier in which coal is first pyrolyzed in the fluidized bed before being forwarded into the transport bed for gasification. The present article is devoted to investigating the pyrolysis of lignite and bituminite in a fluidized bed reactor. The results showed that the highest tar yield appeared at 823 to 923 K for both coals. When coal ash from CFB boiler was used as the bed material, obvious decreases in the yields of tar and pyrolysis gas were observed. Pyrolysis in a reaction atmosphere simulating the pyrolysis gas composition of coal resulted in a higher production of tar. Under the conditions of using CFB boiler ash as the bed material and the simulated pyrolysis gas as the reaction atmosphere, the tar yields for pyrolytic topping in a fluidized bed reactor was about 11.4 wt.% for bituminite and 6.5 wt.% for lignite in dry ash-free coal base.     

Fate of coal nitrogen during combustion

A total of 21 coals covering all ranks have been burned under a wide variety of conditions to ascertain the impact of coal properties on the fate of fuel nitrogen. Fuel NO was identified with a nitrogen-free oxidant consisting of Ar-O₂CO₂. In general, under fuel-lean conditions fuel NO formation increases with increasing fuel nitrogen content; however, other fuel properties also significantly affect the fate of fuel-bound nitrogen during combustion. In particular, fuel nitrogen conversion appears to be greater with coals containing a high fraction of volatile reactive nitrogen. Under fuel-rich conditions measurements of first-stage and exhaust-species concentrations suggest that the optimum stoichiometry for minimum emissions is a function of fuel composition. As first-stage stoichiometry is decreased, the NO formed in the first stage decreases, but other oxidizable gas nitrogen species increase as does nitrogen retention in the char. Total fixed nitrogen generally increases with increasing fuel nitrogen and correlates well with excess air exhaust emissions. The distribution of the total fixed nitrogen species leaving the first stage is strongly dependent upon the coal composition. Of the 12 coals tested in detail, only 1 (the high-volatile B bituminous from Utah) produced high HCN concentrations. The low-volatile Pennsylvania anthracite formed almost no HCN or NH₃ even under extremely fuel-rich conditions. In general, the first stage NO percentage decreased significantly with decreasing coal rank from anthracite to lignite. Conversely, the relative importance of NH₃ grew with decreasing rank. HCN was greater than NH₃ in all bituminous tests, but less than NH₃ with all subbituminous and lignite coals.     

Temperature dependence of crosslinking processes in pyrolysing coals

Changes in the macromolecular structure of a lignite and a bituminous coal during rapid pyrolysis in the temperature range 300–1200 K are described. Solvent swelling techniques have clearly demonstrated that crosslinking occurs in lignites at somewhat lower pyrolysis temperatures than it does in bituminous coals. The onset of the crosslinking processes in bituminous coals coincides with the end of the tar formation period. In lignites, crosslinking occurs very early in the pyrolysis process, coinciding with low temperature release of CO₂. The presence of natural moisture in the lignite appears to have a significant effect on pyrolysis chemistry, increasing the amount of crosslinking observed at any temperature.     

Coal hydroliquefaction using iron pentacarbonyl as a catalyst precursor

Hydroliquefaction of several coals, Taiheiyo (Japanese), Mi-ike (Japanese), Wandoan (Australian), and Illinois No.6 (American), was carried out using iron pentacarbonyl(Fe(CO)₅) at 425–460°C under a hydrogen pressure of 4.9MPa in a non-hydrogen donating solvent, 1-methylnaphthalene. With the addition of iron pentacarbonyl coal conversion increased substantially for all of the coals used. Lighter fraction (oil) also increased, by ≈ 10–17 wt%, in the presence of the catalyst. The addition of Fe(CO)₅ suppressed coking, resulting in high values of coal conversion and oil fraction even at 460°C. The amounts of hydrogen transferred from the gas phase increased by 2–4 times with Fe(CO)₅. A process involving direct hydrogen transfer to coal fragment radicals is proposed.     

Production of fuel gas and char from wood, lignin and holocellulose by carbonization

Carbonization of lignin and holocellulose extracted from the parent wood was carried out in the temperature range 400–900 °C using a small scale electric furnace to compare the yields of gas, char, tar and condensed liquid. The tar yield was < 1 % at 700 °C from the holocellulose and 4% from the wood and the lignin. The composition of the gas and the calorific value of the char produced were also measured and the conversion rate from raw wood to gas or char on the energy base was estimated from these experimental results. Finally, the heat of the reaction of carbonization was estimated from these experimental results. Carbonization of waste wood, lignin and holocellulose is exothermic, 2.1–4.8, 1.9–5.9 and 3.1–5.9 MJ kg⁻¹, respectively.     

褐煤与大豆荚共热解的产物特性分析

利用自制的低温热解装置研究褐煤与大豆荚共热解的产物特性,考察大豆荚掺混比和催化剂Fe₂O₃对热解产物特性的影响。通过FT-IR、GC-MS、SEM-EDX和UV-vis分析共热解产物的性质,并将半焦用于亚甲基蓝吸附实验。研究结果表明：掺混比30%时,共热解焦油的产率达到最大值11.98%,比煤焦油产率增加44.86%,与计算值的正偏差最大（0.8%）,同时,大豆荚的添加有促进焦油生成的协同作用。大豆荚的添加有利于共热解焦油中含氧杂环的断裂,使共热解焦油中直链烷烃增多,芳香族化合物减少,使重质组分转化为轻质组分,从而提高焦油品质;同时,大豆荚的添加使共热解半焦的含氧基团增加,微观形貌变粗糙。而Fe₂O₃的加入使共热解焦油中酚、醇类物质增加;加Fe₂O₃共热解半焦的褶皱更加明显。共热解半焦对亚甲基蓝的吸附率为33.62%,比煤半焦的吸附率提高8.84%,加Fe₂O₃共热解半焦的吸附率为55.57%,比共热解半焦提高65.29%。     

Evolution of fuel nitrogen in coal devolatilization

The distribution of fuel nitrogen in the devolatilization products of a lignite and 12 bituminous coals has been observed experimentally. For these coals under isothermal conditions (300 < T < 1000 °Cand 5 < t < 80 s) the behaviour of the nitrogen evolution was found to be similar. Nitrogen which is initially released is contained almost entirely in the tar. The chemical composition, ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra and infrared spectra of the tars and parent coals are strikingly similar and it is reasonable to suspect that the tar nitrogen occurs in the same structures as in the parent coal. Secondary release of nitrogen into nontar volatiles occurs only at high temperature. Results can be described with first-order kinetics using the same rate constant for all the coals studied. Initial nitrogen release is described by the tar release rate constant, k = 81 exp (−5800/T) (s⁻¹), which is similar to the rate constant for initial nitrogen release measured by Pohl and Sarofim. Secondary release of nitrogen is described with a rate constant which is similar to the results measured by Blair, Wendt and Bartok. This rate is smaller than that measured for the decomposition of nitrogen-ring compounds such as pyridines or pyrroles. The results suggest that coal nitrogen is contained almost entirely in tightly bound rings which are released without breakage in the tar during the initial stage of devolatilization; the remainder is released at higher temperatures when rings are ruptured.     

High temperature swelling of coal/tetralin mixtures in a high pressure microdilatometer

High pressure microdilatometer experiments were performed on a subbituminous (Wyodak) and a bituminous (Illinois no. 6) coal in helium and hydrogen atmospheres with and without added tetralin. Wyodak coal samples showed no swelling but contractions ranging between 24 and 40 vol% upon heating at 20 and 100 °C min^{− 1} under helium or hydrogen pressures between 150 and 1000 psig (˜1.0–6.9 MPa). Under the same conditions, Illinois no. 6 coals displayed contractions (25–60 vol%) prior to swelling up to 117 vol%. Upon tetralin addition (at 35–190 wt% of the coal), Wyodak coal samples did not swell but showed an increasing contraction with increasing helium or hydrogen pressure due to a slight softening and fusion of the coal particles. In contrast, addition of tetralin at much lower concentrations (5–35 wt%) had a marked effect on the contraction and swelling behaviour of Illinois no. 6. A maximum swelling of 200 vol% was obtained at a tetralin addition of 30 wt%. The increased swelling results from more extensive softening and fusion of coal particles in the presence of tetralin. Both coals showed a decreasing char yield with increasing tetralin concentration. The substantially lower extent of interaction observed between Wyodak coal samples and tetralin compared to Illinois no. 6 coal can be attributed to the differences in pore structure and/or chemical constitution of the two coal samples. Examination of the resultant solids by optical microscopy revealed the microstructural changes produced by thermal treatment in dilatometer experiments.     

Extraction of coals with CS2-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone mixed solvent at room temperature Effect of coal rank and synergism of the mixed solvent

Coals (from lignite to anthracite) were extracted at room temperature with CS₂-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (MP) mixed solvent (1:1 by volume), which was found to be a very efficient solvent for the extraction of bituminous coals in a previous study. High yields of 30–66% (daf) were obtained for 29 of the 49 bituminous coals (C%76.9–90.6% daf) examined. The anthracite, subbituminous coals and lignites did not give high yields. The results of the characterization of the raw coals, extracts and residues suggest that reactions between the coals and the solvents do not occur to a significant extent during the extraction. The synergistic effect, i.e. the large increase in yield and rate for the mixed solvent compared with those for CS₂ and MP alone has been explained by increasing solubility and diffusibility of the extracts and increasing swelling of the coals, in the mixed solvent. The mixed solvents of CS₂ with quinoline, pyridine and THF gave lower extraction yields than the CS₂-MP mixed solvent.     

Vacuum pyrolysis of Prince Mine coal, Nova Scotia, Canada

Preliminary results are given on thermal decomposition characteristics of a high volatile A bituminous coal from Eastern Canada using vacuum pyrolysis experiments (pressure 2–200 mm Hg) over the temperature range 322–1000 °C. The objectives of the study were to determine the optimum temperature range for the formation of coal tar and to study the influence of reaction temperature on the nature of the solid residues. Significant decomposition reactions start at 300–400 °C and the optimum temperature range for the production of coal tar was 450–600 °C. The major gaseous products H₂S, CO₂ and CH₄ are formed up to 600 °C. Above 600 °C the coal decomposes mainly into CO and H₂. The solid residues are characterized by volatile matter content, calorific values and elemental analysis. The volatile matter content decreases rapidly from 322 °C and stabilizes at reaction temperatures > 750 °C. The 15% VM level, a minimum requirement in coal combustion processes, was reached at 500 °C. The changes in calorific values do not show any significant trend up to 600 °C, but decrease markedly above 600 °C. From the preliminary results vacuum pyrolysis is regarded as an effective process in which valuable coal tar by-products can be obtained from coal prior to its combustion.     

CONDITIONING COAL GAS WITH REFRIGERATED METHANOL IN A SYSTEM OF PACKED COLUMNS

Experience with the operation of a pilot-scale unit is used to outline potential difficulties in the operation of acid gas removal systems on gases produced from coal. The pilot plant has been used to condition gases produced from subbituminous coal, devolatilized char, peat and lignite. The solvent used in the acid gas removal system has been refrigerated methyl alcohol. Data from this study document accumulation of hydrocarbons, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and mercury in the circulating solvent.     

Reactions of coals of different ranks with CO---H2 mixtures with and without sodium aluminate

Well-characterized coals of different H/C atomic ratio and rank were reacted at 365°C with CO, H₂ and CO---H₂ mixtures in water in the presence and absence of sodium aluminate. The optimum H₂/CO ratio for conversion was found to vary with the type of coal. It was <1 : 1 for low-rank and subbituminous coals, whereas the conversion of bituminous coals either did not vary with H₂/CO ratio or reached a maximum at a higher H₂/CO ratio (2 : 1). Even for a bituminous coal there was no advantage in reducing the water/coal ratio below 2 : 1 in NaAlO₂-catalysed reactions. The conversions increased with increasing H/C atomic ratio of the coal and decreasing rank, with or without NaAlO₂. Asphaltene yields increased with increasing coal rank and increasing proportion of CO in the H₂---CO reacting gases. The mechanistic implications of these results are briefly discussed.     

Conversion of non-coking coals to coking coals by thermal hydrogenation

Coking properties are observed in four non-coking coals, a lignite, a subbituminous coal, a semianthracite and an oxidized bituminous coal which had been treated by partial thermal hydrogenation. The effects of temperature, reaction time and hydrogen pressure on liquid and solid product yields are examined. Microscopic examination of the hydrogenated solid residues shows that they all contain structures somewhat spherical in shape which are associated with mesophase development. The dilatation, plastic character and free swelling index of the hydrogenated solid products were considerably better than those of the original coals. Dilatation residues produced from hydrogenated solids exhibited anisotropic structures.     

停留时间对低阶煤快速热解产物分布、组成及结构的影响

利用自由落下床反应器,研究了快速热解过程中颗粒停留时间对神木烟煤和内蒙古褐煤热解过程的影响,并进一步延长快速热解新生半焦停留时间考察了半焦的二次热解过程。结果表明,快速热解过程中颗粒停留时间的增加促进了挥发分的析出,神木烟煤热解焦油产率持续增加,内蒙古褐煤热解焦油产率先增加后降低。停留时间对焦油品质有明显影响,随时间的增加,两种煤快速热解轻质油中苯类和苯酚类单环化合物含量均先增加后降低,进一步延长停留时间,多环芳烃化合物含量显著增加。快速热解半焦的二次热解主要促进了气体的生成,焦油产率和组成无明显变化,挥发分的进一步析出促进了半焦微孔的发展,神木烟煤和内蒙古褐煤半焦比表面积均显著增加。这表明,在以高品质焦油为目标产品时,采用较低的反应温度、较适宜的煤粒停留时间的快速热解工艺条件是可取的。     

Reactivity of heat-treated coals in air at 500 °C

Twenty one US coals, of widely ranging rank, have been carbonized under controlled conditions to 1000 °C, and the reactivity in air at 500 °C of the resulting chars or cokes has been measured by a gravimetric method. The reactivities lie within a well-defined band when plotted against rank of the parent coal. The lower-rank coal chars are more reactive than those prepared from high-rank coals. In extreme cases, the reactivity found for a Montana lignite char is some 100 times as great as that obtained for a char produced from a Pennsylvania low-volatile coal. Variation of reactivity with heat-treatment temperature (600 to 1000 °C) has been studied for three coals. As heat-treatment temperature increases, there is a decrease in reactivity. Some results are reported on the effects which mineral matter and pore structure have on the reactivity parameter. Chars containing high concentrations of magnesium and calcium impurities are most reactive. The amount of macro and transitional porosity in a char has a marked influence on reactivity.     

Comparison of sulphur in HNO3-extracted and physically cleaned coals

The sulphur contents of eight bituminous and subbituminous coals, after extraction with nitric acid, are compared with the sulphur contents of physically cleaned samples of the coals. Samples of −60 mesh (250 μm) coal were extracted with boiling 2 M HNO₃, which removes essentially all mineral sulphur. After washing and drying, the extracted samples were analysed for moisture, ash, and total sulphur. The dry, ash-free (daf) sulphur values for the eight coals obtained by this method show excellent agreement with the daf sulphur values for physically cleaned samples of the coals. The physically cleaned samples were prepared by float/sink separation of −60 mesh coal in 1.30 specific gravity media, followed by milling the float coal to particle sizes less than 10 μm and subsequent float/sink-centrifugation cleaning. The daf sulphur values determined in the HNO₃-extracted and physically cleaned samples were less than those obtained using ASTM Method D 2492 and differed by as much as 1.3%.     

低阶煤与玉米芯低温共热解的产物特性分析

采用低温干馏装置对不同玉米芯加入量的褐煤/玉米芯混合物进行低温共热解实验。结果表明：当玉米芯加入量为30%时,焦油产率最大为11.70%,比褐煤单独热解提高了53.75%。随着玉米芯的加入量增加,热解气中CO、CH₄和H₂含量逐渐增大。对热解焦油进行GC-MS检测,发现添加30%玉米芯后脂肪族质量分数从褐煤单独热解的24%提高到了30.67%,酚类质量分数从6.29%提高到了18.49%,杂原子质量分数从29.75%降低到了13.33%,一定程度上实现了焦油的轻质化和高品质化。对热解半焦进行SEM、比表面积分析和热值测定,发现共热解半焦表面变粗糙,孔隙结构得到改善,热值明显高于褐煤单独热解半焦热值。     

Reactivity of hydrolysed coals in liquefaction

A hvA bituminous, a subbituminous and a lignite coal have been hydrolysed by 20–30% aqueous caustic solution at 100–300 °C and total pressure from ambient to 8.3 MPa (1200 psi). Reactivity of these pretreated coals toward liquefaction has been examined. The conversion to benzene-soluble material (BS) and oil increases, and the preasphaltene and char residue decreases after pretreatment. Improvement in the conversion to the BS fraction is only marginal for the pretreated bituminous coal, but substantial for the low-rank coals. For the subbituminous coal, the liquefaction reactivity (conversion to BS) increases with the severity of hydrolysis pretreatment. Analyses of chemical compositions, ¹H n.m.r. nuclei distributions and hydroxyl concentrations of the acid-insoluble hydrolysis coal extracts indicate that both O and S are enriched in the extracts with half of the oxygen atoms being in hydroxyl forms. The hydroxyl concentrations of the extracts (acid-insoluble) are ≈2 to 3 times higher than their parent coals. Coal activation by this alkali pretreatment is explained by the hydrolytic attacks on ether C–O linkages, and the removal of some constituents rich in oxygen functional groups which are responsible for poor liquefaction behaviour.