Characterization of nitrogen compounds in tar produced from underground coal gasification

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Energy Sources; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00908317808945982· OSTI ID:6710476

King, S B; Brandenburg, C F; Lanum, W J

Although the major product of underground gasification of coal is a low-Btu gas, approximately 5 percent of the total energy produced is in the form of relatively low-boiling coal tars. These liquid organic compounds, which are produced along with water and the product gas, have been characterized for their potential use as a synthetic liquid fuel. The liquids may also be suitable as a petrochemical feedstock and useful in determining the chemical reactions that are occurring underground. The coal tar material, which was sampled regularly during an underground coal-gasification test, showed variations in boiling ranges of from ambient to 600/sup 0/F and ambient to 950/sup 0/F with little or no residue as determined by simulated distillation. The coal tars were separated into tar acid, tar base, and neutral oil fractions. Of particular interest was the tar base fraction, which was examined in detail and showed the major constituents to be nitrogen-containing alkyl pyridines. The specific identification of several pyridines and the relative concentrations of these compounds produced under varying gasification conditions are discussed. Virtually all the nitrogen-containing compounds are weak bases as shown by potentiometric titration. The sulfur content of the acidic, basic, and neutral fractions is 0.2 to 0.3 percent.

• Research Organization: Laramie Energy Research Center, WY
• OSTI ID: 6710476
• Journal Information: Energy Sources; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Sources; (United States) Vol. 3:3/4; ISSN EGYSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
BASES
BOILING POINTS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL TAR
COAL TAR BASES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DISTILLATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASIFICATION
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROCESSING
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR
TAR
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TITRATION
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
VOLTAMETRY