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U.S. Department of Energy
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Fundamental studies on coal-gasification mechanisms. Annual report, January 1984-January 1985

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5579607

The objective of this study is to determine the reaction pathways responsible for the formation of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons during coal pyrolysis. The approach utilizes a novel technique in which samples of Illinois No. 6 coal are first modified by the introduction of selected structural elements (some containing deuterium or C(sup 13) labels) known to exist in coal and then pyrolyzing them to determine the disposition of the added groups. Structural groups that have been added include O-methyl, O-methyl-d3, O-methyl-C(sup 13)C, O-ethyl, O-ethyl-d5, O-propyl, O-propyl-d7, C-methyl, C-methyl-d3, C-ethyl and C-propyl groups. Comparison of the yields and isotope distributions in the methane, ethane, ethene, propane and propene pyrolysis products suggests that these hydrocarbons are formed in multistep reversible reaction pathways as well as simple bond homolysis and hydrogen abstraction reaction pathways. The tars that evolved during pyrolysis were also characterized by both field ionization and high resolution mass spectrometry. The results of these experiments indicate that tar molecules are formed through at least two different reaction pathways.

Research Organization:
Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
5579607
Report Number(s):
PB-85-188381/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English