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U.S. Department of Energy
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Diffusion of gases in New Mexico coals. Technical report (Final), 15 January 1986-30 September 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6572640

As part of the first phase of the study, characterization of the pore volume and surface area of coal was principally undertaken while the more-extensive and complex diffusivity and high-pressure adsorption experiments were being built. The careful characterization work resulted in new understanding of the limitations of mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption analysis for coal. Results indicate that as the size of coal particles in a sample decreases, a spurious, intruded-pore volume is indicated in mercury porosimetry. Furthermore, at higher pressures of Hg, the penetration of Hg may actually be a measure of micropore crushing rather than pore structure information. Nitrogen adsorption measurements do not reflect the total surface area of the coal which is easily accessed and measured by carbon dioxide. At the same time the authors found that condensation of nitrogen and NMR relaxation experiments may lead to significantly new interpretations of coal porosity.

Research Organization:
New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering
OSTI ID:
6572640
Report Number(s):
PB-87-160883/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English