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Pyrolysis GC/MS analysis of low-rank coal

Conference · · Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5974666

The reactivity of coals under liquefaction conditions is related to their thermal decomposition. Pyrolysis GC/MS is used to determine the identity of the volatile products as the changes in coal structure occur. A Wyoming subbituminous coal (Clovis Point) and a North Dakota lignite (Indian Head) were heated under helium at four temperatures (160/degree/C, 250/degree/C, 300/degree/C, and 350/degree/C) for 30 minutes. The volatile species were cryogenically trapped in a capillary gas chromatographic column for GC/MS analysis. The two lower temperatures showed only devolatilization products (e.g., biological markers such as alkanes and terpenoids) while the higher temperatures yielded products resulting from bond-breaking (i.e., pyrolysis). The devolatilization and pyrolysis products of the two coals were similar in overall composition but markedly different in their distribution. The subbituminous coal (Clovis Point) pyrolysate contained phenol and cresols along with large amounts of C/sub 19/ to C/sub 31/ normal alkanes. Indian Head lignite pyrolysate contained a much larger amount of phenol, alkyl substituted phenols and dihydroxybenzene and lesser amounts of C/sub 19/ to C/sub 31/ alkanes.

Research Organization:
Univ. of North Dakota Energy Research Center, Grand Forks (USA)
OSTI ID:
5974666
Report Number(s):
CONF-870802-
Journal Information:
Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States) Vol. 32:4; ISSN ACFPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English