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U.S. Department of Energy
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Diffusion of gases in coals and chars. Technical progress report No. 2, December 15, 1985-March 14, 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6136437

Coal surface areas have been measured using nitrogen adsorption at 77 K for 8 coals. Coal samples are prepared by grinding such that the particles pass through a 270 mesh screen but are retained on a 325 mesh screen. The samples are dried at about 383 K for 3 hours in a drying oven. The true density of the samples is measured using helium displacement and the samples are subsequently weighed into capillary adsorption cells for the Quantasorb surface area analyzer. Capillary cells are used to minimize thermal diffusion effects which are commonly encountered when measuring small surface area materials with nitrogen. Nigrogen uptake is measured at 5 different nitrogen/helium concentrations. The equilibration time is on the order of 20 to 30 minutes. The surface area is calculated using the BET theory and assuming a nitrogen cross-sectional area of 0.162 nm/sup 2/. Nitrogen surface areas for the eight coals completed to date are presented in Table 2. The surface areas are reported on a dry, mineral matter containing basis. Since the ash contents vary considerably from sample to sample (3.68 to 19.97%), the variation in mineral matter content may play a significant role in the surface area variation. This point will be explored after completion of the CO/sub 2/ adsorption work. As expected, the surface areas are quite low (<10 m/sup 2//g). The one exception to this rule is PSOC-1354, the Illinois No. 6 coal, which has a N/sub 2/ surface area of 40.47 m/sup 2//g. 2 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Powders and Granular Materials Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-85PC80519
OSTI ID:
6136437
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/80519-2; ON: DE86009288
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English