Decomposition of coal model compounds during simulated chemical coal cleaning with molten hydroxides

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988 · Coal Preparation (Gordon and Breach); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/07349348908960539· OSTI ID:6929529

Nowak, M A; Utz, B R; Fauth, D J; Friedman, S; Knoer, J P; Gessner, N ^[1]

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1. U.S. Dept. of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, Pittsburgh, PA (US)

Coal model compounds, such as dibenzothiophene, its analogs and the hydroxylated derivatives of these compounds, were treated with molten hydroxides to evaluate the importance of nucleophilicity for the different alkali-metal hydroxides. The soluble hydroxylated model compounds were decomposed and desulfurized by RbOH or CsOH at lower temperatures and in less time than when decomposed by KOH or NaOH, indicating that molten hydroxides have varying degrees of nucleophilicity, the progression of nucleophilicity being CsOH > RbOH {ge} KOH > NaOH. The discrepancy of these results with previously published studies, suggesting NaOH is as effective as KOH in desulfurizing coal, is discussed. Increased solubility of the hydroxylated derivatives in molten hydroxide led to faster reaction rates under homogeneous reaction conditions. Aryl ethers decomposed more readily than did aryl sulfides.

• OSTI ID: 6929529
• Journal Information: Coal Preparation (Gordon and Breach); (USA), Journal Name: Coal Preparation (Gordon and Breach); (USA) Vol. 7:1; ISSN 0734-9343; ISSN COAPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010402* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Purification & Upgrading
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CESIUM COMPOUNDS
CESIUM HYDROXIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
COAL
DESULFURIZATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
KINETICS
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
REACTION KINETICS
RUBIDIUM COMPOUNDS
RUBIDIUM HYDROXIDES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS