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Title: Characterization of biodegraded coals

Conference · · Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5955001

Microbial degradation of coals to materials that are soluble in water has been a topic of intensive research for the last few years. The potential for economical recovery of low-grade coals, coupled with possibilities for further upgrading by microbial desulfurization or methanation has spurred intensive research at a number of laboratories. Until very recently, coal biodegradation has been accomplished using low-grade, naturally oxidized coals such as leonardiate, or coals subjected to pretreatment with oxidizing chemicals. The authors have been able to accomplish the biodegradation of bituminous Illinois 6 coal after a pretreatment consisting of air oxidation, using a culture of the fungus Penicillium sp. They report in this paper results of chemical and spectrometric analyses of the starting materials and products from Illinois 6 coal biodegradation, and compare the results with those previously reported from the biodegradation of leonardite.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
5955001
Report Number(s):
CONF-8809269-
Journal Information:
Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States), Vol. 33:4; Conference: Bioprocessing of coal, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 25-30 Sep 1988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English