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U.S. Department of Energy
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The effects of moderate coal cleaning on the microbial removal of organic sulfur. [Quarterly] technical report, March 1, 1992--May 30, 1992

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10181645· OSTI ID:10181645
The purpose of this project is to investigate the possibilities of developing an integrated physical/chemical/microbial process for the precombustion removal of sulfur from coal. Microorganisms are capable of specifically cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and removing substantial amounts of organic sulfur from coal; however, the removal of organic sulfur from coal by microorganisms is hampered by the fact that, as a solid substrate, it is difficult to bring microorganisms in contact with the entirety of a coal sample. This study will examine the suitability of physically/chemically treated coal samples for subsequent biodesulfurization. During this quarter tests were performed involving prolonged (7 day) exposure to chemical comminution agents followed by explosive comminution. Combined chemical plus physical comminution yielded only minor differences between the chemical treatments tested (0.lN NAOH, methanol plus 0.lN NAOH, isopropanol plus 0.lN NAOH, and ammonia vapor) as regards particle size distribution. The densities of treated products varied somewhat with 0.lN NaOH and ammonia yielding the lowest and highest densities respectively. Biodesulfurization tests indicate that pre-grown IGTS8 biocatalysts can be used to desulfurized chemically treated IBC-107 coal.
Research Organization:
Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Illinois Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-91PC91334
OSTI ID:
10181645
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/91334--T75; ON: DE93000524
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English