Characterization of nitrogen compounds in tar produced from underground coal gasification

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 3:3/4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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