Coal solvolysis in a series of model compound systems

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 1984-01, Vol.63 (10), p.1404-1409
• Main Authors: Curtis, Christine W., Guin, James A., Kwon, Kyung C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; coal; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel processing. Carbochemistry and petrochemistry; Fuels; model compound; Solid fuel processing (coal, coke, brown coal, peat, wood, etc.); solvolysis
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(84)90346-6

A series of 23 model donor solvents was used to rank their efficacy for the dissolution of Western Kentucky No. 9 14 coal. The transfer of hydrogen from the solvent to the coal fragments, as measured by coal conversion, was examined at three levels of available hydrogen. The hydrogen donors are ranked according to their ability to convert coal to THF-solubles. Aromatic analogs of the model donors showed little ability to convert coal to THF-solubles. Factors which influence hydrogen donation include the presence of heteroatoms or substituents both internal and external to the aromatic or hydroaromatic rings, the degree of hydrogenation, the aromaticity or non-aromaticity of the hydroaromatics, and the presence of five-membered rings. A relation between heats of formation and hydrogen donor ability is shown for hydroaromatics within two ring or three ring homologous series. A model hydrogen acceptor, benzophenone, is also used to rank model donors. No correlation exists in the ranking of hydrogen donors by the model acceptor used in this work and in other experimental studies and that obtained by conversion of Western Kentucky coal at typical liquefaction conditions.