No abstract

: Catalytic gasification of raw coals at mild condition is not realized yet mainly due to deactivation of catalysts via their irreversible interaction with mineral matters in coal. In this work, the gasification behavior of ash-free coal (AFC) was compared with that of the parent raw coal. In order to modify the gasification conditions, the raw coal gasified with fixed variables (water supply, space velocity, temperature, catalysts) in a fixed bed reactor. When catalysts are added by physical mixing method with coal, K2CO3 was the most effective additives for steam gasification of coal. However, the activity of ash-free coal (AFC) was much less reactive than raw coal due to high temperature extraction in a 1-methylnaphthalene under 30bar at 370 ℃ for 1 h, almost removed oxygen functional groups, and increased carbonization. The addition of K2CO3 in AFC achieved higher conversion rate at low temperature (700 ℃). At that time, the molar ratio of gases (H2/CO and CO2/CO) was increased because of water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) by addition of catalysts. This shows that catalytic steam gasification of AFCs is achievable for economic improvement of gasification process at mild temperature.

Utilization of coal is currently limited to coal-fired power plants and iron smelting, partly because of the incombustible ash in coal and the inability of existing technologies to modify its properties. This work investigates whether the gasification behavior of ash-free coals (AFCs) can be modified. Sixteen different AFCs were prepared using variously ranked coals (Eco, Cyprus, Drayton, and Hail Creek) and extraction solvents with different polarities (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, ethylenediamine, 1-methylnaphthalene, and tetralin). Next, the reactivities of the AFCs in steam gasification at 800 °C were tested, and the results are discussed taking into consideration their compositional differences. A combination of low-rank coals and polar solvents produces reactive AFCs that can be catalytically gasified under mild conditions. In contrast, AFCs extracted using nonpolar solvents are less reactive and possibly applicable as a carbon electrode precursor. In short, the properties of AFCs can be changed to some extent using the appropriate combination of coals and extraction solvents.

No abstract