Catalytic CO/sub 2/ gasification of graphite vs. coal char

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5323739

Spiro, C L; McKee, D W; Kosky, P G; Lamby, E J

We report the effects of alkali carbonate catalysts on the CO/sub 2/ gasification of Illinois No. 6 HVB bituminous coal char, demineralized Illinois No. 6 coal char, Pittsburgh No. 8 HVA coal char, Navajo subbituminous coal char, Reading anthracite coal char, North Dakota A lignite char and spectroscopic grade highest purity graphite. We conclude that alkali carbonate salts are effective Boudouard catalysts for all these substrates, but that salient differences between coal char vs. graphite reactivity are observed. Therefore, we have attempted to identify structural differences in chars vs. graphite which might be responsible for these effects. By eliminating minerals and surface phenomena, we have identified residual hydrogen as the main cause of reactivity differences. Therefore, we have proposed, without proof, a new mechanism based on hydridic catalysis. Many questions still remain unanswered. No mechanisms completely account for the observed gasification behavior in the presence of these salts, particularly as a function of loading. Indeed, the fundamental aspects of the periodic trend of salt efficacy is far from understood. Direct observation of any of the proposed intermediates under Boudouard gasification conditions is still lacking. Clearly, more work is required in this ever-unfolding picture.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Corporate Research and Development Dept.
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-80MC14591
• OSTI ID: 5323739
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/14591-T2; ON: DE82016412
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONATES
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EQUATIONS
GASIFICATION
GRAPHITE
INFORMATION
KINETICS
MINERALS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
REACTION KINETICS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES