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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Chemistry of lignite liquefaction. Quarterly report for the period January-March, 1982

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5274955

Asphaltene and preasphaltene components of samples of solvent-refined lignites prepared at 400, 460 and 480/sup 0/C have been isolated by solvent fractionation. The composition of the asphaltenes and preasphaltenes have been analyzed for their number average molecular weight distribution, acid components, oxygen functionality and aromatic structure. Three significant differences between preasphaltenes and asphaltenes were noted. First, the molecular weight distribution maximizes 200 to 300 g-mol higher for the preasphaltenes compared to the asphaltenes. Second, the asphaltenes contained a higher degree of condensed aromatic systems than the corresponding preasphaltenes. Third, the acid oxygen (hydroxyl) components of the two categories are nearly the same, but the other oxygen functionality is more like diaryl ethers for asphaltenes while the preasphaltenes contain more furan type oxygen. Increased reaction temperature has the effect of removing oxygen (mainly ethers) and forming more condensed aromatic systems. Sodium, HMPA, BBr/sub 3/, (CH/sub 3/)/sub 3/SiI have been developed as ether cleavage reagents and applied to preasphaltene and asphaltenes. Experimental work completed on the model compounds: PhSPh, PhN(CH/sub 3/)/sub 2/, PhOPh, PhCH/sub 2/Ph, PhCH/sub 2/CH/sub 2/Ph, lignin and sexiphenyl suggested H/sub 2/-H/sub 2/S and CO-H/sub 2/O-H/sub 2/S to be effective reducing gases for coals at liquefaction temperatures. This prediction has now been verified. Lignite gives extraordinary yields of oil at the expense of gases and unconverted coal. The mechanisms of H/sub 2/S action are described.

Research Organization:
North Dakota Univ., Grand Forks (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AB18-78FC02101
OSTI ID:
5274955
Report Number(s):
DOE/FC/02101-21; ON: DE82014377
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English