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U.S. Department of Energy
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Pyrolysis and Physical Properties of Coal Blocks

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6433985· OSTI ID:6433985
 [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Interactions between the various physical properties of coal and its pyrolysis were characterized by studying the heating of 150-mm-diameter cylindrical blocks of Wilcox lignite, Wyodak subbituminous coal, Hanna bituminous coal, and Pittsburgh bituminous coal. (Some samples of coal overburden were also tested.) In the various coals, block pyrolysis caused gasification and cracking reactions and changes in char reactivity and in swelling, none of which is observed in powder pyrolysis. These changes were interpreted as having resulted from internal temperature gradients and flow patterns. To aid in an evaluation of this interpretation, physical and transport properties of coals were reviewed, measured, and correlated; new data on thermal diffusivity and conductivity of lignite of particular interest. This research was conducted in support of underground coal gasification (UCG) technology. Implications of the results for UCG are described, but the mechanisms and property data also have broader applications within the field of coal conversion.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
6433985
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-7313
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English