Decomposition characteristics of phenol under SYNTHANE gasifier conditions. [36 references]

Technical Report · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7295111

Fillo, J P; Massey, M J; Strakey, J P; Nakles, D V; Haynes, W P

Major conclusions to be drawn from this study regarding the decomposition characteristics of phenol are: the rate-determining step in the decomposition of phenol appears to be the initial thermal decomposition of the aromatic molecule; hydrogen partial pressure in the reactor does not affect the extent of phenol decomposition but is important in determining the subsequent decomposition products of phenol; reaction gas composition remains stable over the range of conditions where phenol decomposition was studied; and solid char surface appears to substantially increase the high temperature vapor phase decomposition of phenol without causing methane decomposition. The first and second conclusions are consistent with observed data for the decomposition of unsubstituted aromatic compounds for which a proportionality between experimental activation energy and calculated delocalization energy has been indicated. This may suggest a rationale for hypothesizing the reactivity of other phenolic compounds present in SYNTHANE gasifier aqueous effluents, relative to phenol. Conclusions three and four, coupled with knowledge of the extent of observed phenol decomposition, provide a rationale for explaining decreases in effluent phenol production with increased depth of coal injection, as previously reported for the SYNTHANE PDU. These data also suggest that significant decreases in phenol production should be seen in the 72 TPD SYNTHANE pilot plant. Finally, these data suggest that a viable alternative may exist to present largescale treatment of coal gasifier effluents. The susceptibility of phenol, and other hydrocarbons (e.g., tars, oils) produced during coal gasification, to thermal decomposition makes thermal treatment of raw gasifier effluents a reasonable possibility.

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Energy Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7295111
• Report Number(s): PERC/RI-77/6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400301 -- Organic Chemistry-- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties-- (-1987)
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL TAR
COAL TAR OILS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
NONMETALS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOL
PHENOLS
PILOT PLANTS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
REACTION KINETICS
SYNTHANE PROCESS
TAR
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VAPORS