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A mechanistic study of coal pyrolysis with modified coals

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6005716

The reactions occurring during coal pyrolysis are complex. Experimental results have been shown to be sensitive not only to the experimental conditions but also to the nature of the equipment and the character of the coal. The influence of changes in pressure, heating rate, and particle size have been particularly difficult to unravel. To illustrate, as the pressure is increased, the yields of char and light hydrocarbons, especially methane, increase. The most reasonable interpretation postulates that the rate at which primary tar products diffuse out of the reacting coal particle decreases as the pressure is increased. One method of circumventing the problems encountered with coal is to study model compounds. The study of model compounds showed that not all of the CD/sub 3/ radicals produced in the primary dissociation step result in gaseous products and probably these contribute towards the formation of char and tar products. Results of the pyrolysis of coal samples containing deuterated propyl groups allow the authors to refine the mechanism shown in this paper. As with the methoxy groups the pyrolysis of coal-O-propyl sample shows evidence of bond cleavage between the coal and the oxygen and the formation of small quantities deuterated propanol.

OSTI ID:
6005716
Report Number(s):
CONF-870323-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English