Structural characteristics of vitrinites
It is generally accepted that the various petrographic constituents of coals are derived largely from partly decayed organs of the higher plants and the chemical substances in them. Lignin, in particular, is thought to be an important part of the input to coalification processes both in preserved woody tissue and after the microbial action. The nature of the substances from which coals are derived are fairly well known. However, the chemical structures that they give rise to in coals are poorly understood. It was thought worthwhile to undertake a structural study of a set of vitrinite-rich coals (i.e., derived from woody tissue), using experimental approaches that would assist in evaluating the extent to which lignin structures are still recognizable after coalification. A reductive degradation method of Burges et. al., which has previously revealed the presence of lignin-derived phenols in the humic acids of soils, was adopted. Since coals of higher rank than lignites do not contain humic acids, humic-acid-like materials were generated in high yields (80 to 110 percent) by a mild oxidation using aqueous performic acid and the products subjected to the reductive degradation. Two peat samples, three lignites and thirty-eight subbituminous and bituminous coals were studied. The mixtures of phenols and phenolic acids obtained as trimethylsilyl ethers and esters were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
- Research Organization:
- Ebasco Services Inc., New York, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5203742
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-790917-P3
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 24:3; ISSN ACFPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Oxidation of lignin and cellulose, humification and coalification
Coalification of cuticle and compressed leaf tissue of the Carboniferous seed fern, Macroneuropteris (Neuropteris) scheuchzeri--Implications for coalification to the bituminous coal stage
Related Subjects
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COAL
DATA
DATA FORMS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
NUMERICAL DATA
PETROLOGY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TABLES