Pyrolysis of blocks of lignite

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · In Situ; (United States)

OSTI ID:5946395

Westmoreland, P R; Dickerson, L S

Experiments on blocks of lignite have described phenomena which occur in addition to pyrolysis when the blocks are heated. Pyrolysis kinetics are conventionally measured using powdered coal, minimizing interactions of heat and mass fluxes with the intrinsic kinetics. Such couplings must be included in applying powder data to models of underground coal gasification (UCG). Experimentally, internal temperatures and product yields were measured during the heating of 0.15-m-diam (6-in.) cylindrical blocks of Wilcox lignite. In the blocks, just as during UCG, steep temperature gradients formed. As a result, steam generated inside the coal from natural moisture content escaped through higher temperature char, contacting and gasifying carbon in the hotter surface region. Cracking of tars and CH/sub 4/, effects of H/sub 2/, and changes in char pyrophoricity were also observed. 8 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5946395
• Journal Information: In Situ; (United States), Journal Name: In Situ; (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN ISOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010406* -- Coal & Coal Products-- Pyrolysis & Cracking-- (-1987)
ALKANES
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHARS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL GASIFICATION
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
KINETICS
LIGNITE
MATERIALS
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PYROLYSIS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
REACTION KINETICS
TAR
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES