Characteristics of American coals in relation to their conversion into clean energy fuels. Quarterly technical progress report, January-March 1978

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6041560· OSTI ID:6041560

Spackman, W.; Davis, A.; Walker, P. L.; Lovell, H. L.; Essenhigh, R. H.; Vastola, F. J.; Given, P. H.; Suhr, N. H.

The Penn State/DOE Coal Sample Bank was expanded to include seventeen lignite seams from Texas and two samples of a western Kentucky coal. A total of 253 characterized coal samples and 539 selected printouts of coal data were provided to the coal research community. Results of further coal fractionation studies confirm previous conclusions that fractions of widely differing characteristics can be developed in the laboratory, and indicate that with appropriate process development they could be produced commercially. Knowledge of the detailed occurrence, associations, and format provides the basis for pyrite rejection during coal beneficiation. Operation of the isothermal furnace has continued using nitrogen as a pyrolysis medium at a temperature of 800/sup 0/C. A study is being made into the effects of low temperature oxidation on reducing the agglomerating properties of caking coals. The ultimate aim is to thereby increase the reactivity of the chars produced. Thermogravimetric studies have shown that oxygen uptake can be followed both quantitatively and reproducibly. Removal of inorganic matter by acid treatment significantly changes the nitrogen and carbon dioxide areas of coals and chars. The effect is more pronounced in the case of chars. The effect of preoxidation in air of a highly caking coal in the temperature range 120-250/sup 0/C on weight loss during pyrolysis up to 1000/sup 0/C and reactivity of resultant chars to air at 470/sup 0/C has been investigated. Preoxidation markedly enhances subsequent char reactivity. The mathematical model of a plane flame furnace firing char and low volatile fuel is being improved with the inclusion of radioative heat transfer from the flame to the walls, and of a conduction heat loss through the walls to the ambient. Experiments on the combustion characteristics of coal-oil mixtures have led to minor furnace and control modifications, improvements in operating procedures, and an improved basis for evaluating data. (LTN)

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Coal Research Section
• Sponsoring Organization: US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• OSTI ID: 6041560
• Report Number(s): FE-2030-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010406 -- Coal & Coal Products-- Pyrolysis & Cracking-- (-1987)
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
014000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Combustion
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHARS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DATA
DATA FORMS
DECOMPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLAMES
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTIONATION
FUEL OILS
FUEL SLURRIES
FUELS
GRAPHS
INFORMATION
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
KINETICS
LIGNITE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PYROLYSIS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
REACTION KINETICS
SAMPLING
SCATTERING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION